These Women Travel Solo. What's Your Excuse?

“How do you travel so much?” “I don’t wait for people to travel along. I go solo.” “Umm, how? Is it safe? Do your parents allow you to? Are you crazy?” These questions no longer exasperate me; rather, they strengthen my resolve to cross off my bucket list - one city at a time. But I'm not the only one. There are other women like me. Women who travel solo and feel it’s their second nature. Women who have never adhered to the status quo. Women who make their own rules. From the many interesting conversations we had with other solo women travellers, we celebrate the experiences of avid travel ninjas - Manjari. Shipra and Upasana.

Manjari: Manjari is a wanderer at heart who travels to meet people, see places and enjoy nature. She is crazy about dogs and loves reading.

Shipra: Shipra is a whimsical soul-o traveller, who loves everything scuba, and daydreams about spending the rest of her life on an island.

Upasana: Upasana is an adventure lover, traveller and dancer who loves trying new things.

 

1)  What led you to travel solo?

Manjari: Europe was on my bucket list for the longest time. I was supposed to travel with a friend, but since her Visa didn't come through, I made a spur of the moment decision and just went ahead with my plan. It was a very impulsive decision.

Shipra: I had travelled to Myanmar and Australia before my first solo trip to Cambodia. I stayed and travelled with friends there, but there were times when I would explore the city on my own. Being caged by other people’s schedules is the last thing I wanted. So I guess solo travel was a natural choice.

Upasana: Well, I didn’t exactly choose to travel alone. My college was in Dehradun, so I had to go by train alone. Gradually, I started exploring Dehradun on my own. You could say solo travel is an acquired taste for me.

 

2) How did you decide where to go?

Manjari: I always wanted to travel to Europe so it only seemed natural to pick the destination. Plus I also have friends in Europe, so that was one of the many reasons I chose Europe.

Shipra: A friend of mine had done the Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia trail. He kept going on and on about Cambodia’s beauty, local hospitality…I’ve never needed much convincing. Plus, he said it was perfectly safe for solo women travelers. So I sat down and did the numbers – the entire trip was coming to an affordable Rs. 65,000. That was that.

Upasana: Fate, ha ha. Well, I was studying in this city, so thought, “Might as well get to know about it.” Dehradun has a lot up its sleeve, even for the veteran traveller. It’s safe for women – especially by Indian standards. Three years was too short a time to explore it.

 

3) Any roadblocks you faced before embarking on your journey?

Manjari: None really, my family had no problem with me travelling alone.

Shipra: Well, there’s the obvious one – the big ‘P’. Indian parents aren’t exactly wild about their daughters travelling alone. But mine are resigned by habit – they’re used to my escapades by now.

Upasana: My parents were always worried about travelling solo. Their logic is slightly twisted: “Travel alone outside India if you want. Here, don’t be so adventurous.” I was determined to prove them wrong.

 

4) What was your biggest concern when travelling alone?
 

Manjari: No real concerns as such, the only thing I worry about when travelling is losing my passport, so I was very careful of that throughout my trip.

Shipra: Getting picked up at the airport by the B&B that I had booked only two days before my travel! Haha! I didn’t have any major concerns.I had done my homework well. Having said that,  it was my first time to Cambodia – I didn’t know anybody there. If I got into trouble, the cavalry wouldn’t come riding down the nearest hill.

Upasna: None, really. Dehradun is a quiet place where things move at a laidback pace. Not once did I feel lost or uncomfortable, even on my first visit.

 

5) How is it different travelling alone in India vs travelling alone abroad?
 

Manjari: I was far more comfortable asking strangers for help in Europe, as opposed to when I travelled solo in India. Another big difference is that people abroad aren’t shocked to see an Indian girl travelling alone. On the other hand in India, most people can’t seem to understand why a girl is travelling by herself and  end up asking many personal questions.

Shipra: I think the concerns and preparations that go towards travelling alone in India or abroad are pretty much the same. Safety and staying connected with family is one thing I always keep in mind. But I’ll say this – travelling in India is a kaleidoscope of sights, smells (!) and experiences. It’s like many visas rolled in one.

Upasana: You’ve got to set stricter limits for yourself in India - earlier curfew, less socializing with strangers. On the other hand, some of my best travel experiences have been in and around Dehradun.

 

6) Any advice for women wanting to travel solo?
 

Manjari: Don’t plan your trip and go with an open mind. Trust me when I say there’s a lot more you can see/do if you don’t plan your trip. One of the many reasons I got to see so much of Europe was because my trains were delayed, or got cancelled and I had to stay an extra day in a city, or be rerouted via another city.

Shipra: Solo travel isn’t about ‘finding yourself’. Do not romanticize it. It’s just about getting out of your comfort zone and learning to enjoy the unknown. Always be open to new things. Go up and talk to locals - nine out of ten times, you won’t regret it. Start small - try exploring your own city by yourself first. And do read up on the relevant laws of the country you’re visiting - prevention is better than cure. Okay, that’s more than one. Sorry!

Upasna: Be aware  of your surroundings and apply a reasonable amount of caution. That being said, don’t forget to have fun and enjoy your holiday.

 

7) What do you think can make solo travel better?

Manjari: In India particularly, I think having more women’s hostels would help for sure. As a solo woman traveller I’ve noticed that the toss up is always between budget and safety-something men never have to deal with. Also it would be great if commuting within the city was safer, maybe having women’s only cabs driven by women drivers would be a good idea.

Shipra: I think the general attitude towards travelling solo needs to change. It’s fun and liberating. It is scary but so is travelling by the local metro or bus in a metro city. Solo travel can be made better by providing safe stay and travel facilities, for both men and women.

Upasna: Solo travel for women in India would be much better if India was safer for women. This would mean women would be able to enjoy more freedom when it comes to travel, like taking overnight train journeys.

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Inspired? How about planning your very own solo trip this Women’s Day. Wait no longer and start planning your holiday today. (This blog has been compiled by Swati Talwar and Maryann Taylor)