You're Traveling Alone?

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"You're Traveling Lonely?"

I'm amazed at how many people are shocked that I would cartel venture off in this earth on my own. What is wrong with traveling alone?  Apparently, a lot of people have a lot of opinions about it.  Women shouldn't travel solo! The world is a dangerous and scary place! Simply really – none of that is true. The world is an astonishing place, ripe for exploration. And honestly, solo travel is liberating. Just, let's look into why some folks take issues with me wandering the earth by myself, and find some ways to put their minds at ease.

The Biggest Culprit

Funnily plenty, my sister is the biggest culprit. I don't listen and then much when she does information technology though, considering information technology isn't meant to be sexist. She worries about everything, all the time, no thing what. That's but who she is. And then when I commencement told her I would be traveling by myself, she was horrified, equally expected.

But she's not the only one who questioned me. I was surprised at how many questions I got from so many different people. Is it actually that shocking that a woman would travel alone? Is the world such a dangerous place that we should be protected from such independence and nonsense?

The reply is a resounding no! Women don't demand to lock themselves upward to exist protected! We should be able to go out an explore the world, whether that means solitary, with friends, or with a travel partner. The world is an oyster!

Of course, there will be naysayers. Folks who think it'due south weird, or who get overly protective, or who just don't have the courage to practise it themselves. They will inquire you questions, sometimes masked with concern, to try to get  you to rethink your quest for adventure. I've gotten all them, so I know how to answer.

Common Questions Designed to Make Yous Rethink your Solo Travel Plans – and How to Answer!

"Is it rubber? Aren't you scared?"

Yes, it is condom, and no, I'm not scared. This question is the easiest for me to answer. You see, I am from Chicago. For the past few years, Chicago has been known for its e'er increasing gang violence. People are shot and killed every weekend in the rough neighborhoods of Chicago. Only for some reason, nobody ever questions me when I tell them I'yard going to Chicago.

I get that there are differences. Chicago is familiar. I know where the unsafe areas are, and I know to avert them. I also know a boatload of people who alive in and around Chicago that I could call if something went wrong.

My sis's biggest worry when I travel on my own is that no one would know if something happened to me. No 1 would know to even start looking for me. Since my sister worries (a lot) I've agreed to a arrangement that helps calm her down. I have agreed to post at least in one case per twenty-four hours on Facebook when I'one thousand traveling in a strange country. I usually postal service my pictures from the 24-hour interval earlier I become to bed at night. This way, I get to show off my grand adventures, and she gets to know that I made it back to my room safely. Everybody wins!

The truth is though, that the United States is more unsafe than near other developed countries. It'southward also true that I'm more than probable to become hurt in an accident driving home from piece of work than in a plane crash. And my attitude is that I'd rather live life to the fullest than live life in fear. If yous live life in fear, are you really living life? And normally, the biggest thing tourists have to worry about when traveling away is pickpockets anyhow.

"Why Don't yous Wait and Get With Someone?"

I am not going to surrender my dream of traveling the world in the hopes that i solar day, someone volition exist willing and able to get with me. I've even tried to include other people in my travels. I'm not opposed to traveling with company.  In fact, I've taken quite a few girls trips, and I went with an ex partner to exotic locales such every bit Machu Picchu and Prague (I would've totally done both of those alone had he non been willing to come with me).  All the same, in that location are four huge limiting factors for other people. These things can make information technology extremely hard to plan trips with others.

Unable to Afford the Trip

A plane ticket to Europe generally costs over $yard. Afterward yous factor in food, lodging, and fun, the cost of a trip could soar to over ii grand. Many people just don't prioritize travel the manner I practice, so they would not be willing to pay this much for a trip. And that'due south ok!  Everyone has their own ideas of what makes them happy, who am I to force others to prioritize travel? Withal, I'thou not going to not go merely because others can't afford it.

Unable to Take Time Off of Work

Unfortunately, the United States does not accept whatsoever laws which mandate time off. I have a few friends and family members who would dearest to take a trip with me, but their employers won't let them have two weeks off in a row. My coworkers and I accept a job with peachy benefits, but we all can't exist off at the aforementioned fourth dimension. That makes it impossible to program a trip with them, which really sucks considering we'd love to travel together! We usually do weekend trips instead, which are just equally fun. I have no qualms about traveling in the United states lone (I mean, I spent five days exploring the southwest by sleeping in a car by myself!) but information technology'southward always fun to have a travel companion.

Fear of Flying

For some reason, this is a huge problem in my family. My sister won't fly over water. My father needs to be boozer to board a aeroplane, and my brother refuses to fly in general. I'm so grateful that this fear skipped me, simply it does limit my ability to plan trips with family unit. I would love to take a family unit vacation (with a few of them at a fourth dimension, not all of them, that would be miserable!) but given their limitations, we are probably going to meet upward in Chicago.

I really tried to plan a trip with my sister once. We picked Republic of costa rica, an extremely safe destination with a fairly curt flight from LA. I paid for her ticket as a birthday present, and we were going to meet my cousin in that location, and so it would exist a family thing. Although I paid for her ticket, I told her we couldn't sit down together, because she's a crazy person and I didn't want to deal with that. I love that she's very cocky aware, because she had no problem with this reasoning.

As I was getting comfy in my seat nearly the front of the plane, the flight-bellboy came to observe me. She said my sister needed help. I plant her hyperventilating in her seat, having a panic attack because there was no built-in boob tube. And past panic set on, I hateful she was freaking out – tears were streaming down her face and she repeatedly said she couldn't do it. I din't want to crusade even more of a scene than we already had, or cause other nearby passengers to outset freaking out, so I told her she could go out if she wanted. So she got off the airplane. Unfortunately, she checked baggage for a two-mean solar day trip, and since luggage can't fly without it's passenger (for safety reasons) the plane was delayed by 2 hours. But I withal went and enjoyed a pleasant weekend run a risk with my cousin.

My sister apologized profusely, and she knew there was no style I could leave besides and strand my younger cousin by herself (who was traveling in that location from a different city). At present, we simply laugh nearly it, and I know not to fifty-fifty bother.

Desire to become Elsewhere

Everyone has their own idea of a dream vacation. Some of my friends only take two paltry weeks of vacation per year (or less!) and they want to spend it checking off their own bucket lists rather than mine. I say go for it! ( And employ skyscanner…information technology'south one of the best places to find cheap flights!*)

I besides have to requite a shout out to Scott's Cheap Flights. Skyscanner is great if you already know when/where you are going, but if you're waiting for a nifty fare – yous need Scott's Cheap Flights. They send you lot email alerts of mistake fares, cost reductions, and other amazing flight deals. Y'all can limit the alerts to your well-nigh-used airports equally well! Let Scott'south search for the deals for y'all. Sign up now.

I'k non going to hold the fact that they desire to go someplace else confronting them. I'll cheque off my saucepan list while they check off theirs, and we tin can compare notes when we get home!

"Is it Weird to Travel Alone?"

When people ask if information technology's weird to travel lone, they are highly-seasoned to your innate fear of being an outsider. No one wants to exist weird, nosotros all desire to fit in and be a function of the group. But approximate what -traveling alone isn't weird. It's empowering! Y'all get to do whatever you want and don't have to reply to anyone. If you want to spend nine hours in a museum, you can. And you don't have to worry about anyone else telling you information technology'southward weird or boring. If you want to spend five hours people watching in a buffet – you can, and no 1 will blitz y'all.  Existence completely in charge of your time is such a precious gift.

Another similar business is that traveling solo would be lonely. Yes, I do get alone. I'yard a people person, I similar people, and I like having friends effectually. But I am comfy being by myself too. I am comfortable eating a meal by myself, relaxing in a room past myself, or exploring ruins past myself. Sometimes I practise go lonely, simply I don't Need someone to be with me. I would love to have someone experience the world with me, only I'one thousand not going to limit myself because I don't have that.

There's one more than tactic that many of my family unit members employ to deviously endeavour to discourage me from traveling solo:

"You Should Find a Tour Group and Go With Them"

This is skilful advice, on the surface. Traveling with a grouping is a wonderful manner to come across all of the super touristy attractions. They are a slap-up option for people who just want to meet those things, and are happy going with a large group. Yet, they are not for everyone, or for every situation. They tend to be over-priced and don't leave a lot of room for individual exploration. I didn't want to exist stuck with a grouping for my entire vacation. I wanted to go out there, do my ain matter, and explore the globe! And then that's exactly what I did.

I'chiliad not mad at them for suggesting it though. I know they merely care and want me to be safe. I think I managed to stay safe traveling alone very well though, thank you very much!

Benefits of Traveling Solo

I think the benefits of solo travel far outweigh the risks. You get to do whatever yous want, go wherever you want, and have complete liberty over your trip. Another bonus is that it gives you the opportunity to meet new people. When you are with friends, it can be tough to venture out of the group. But later on a few days by yourself, you're kind of forced to talk to strangers! The loneliness gets to y'all,and you finish up saying hi to people just because.

I had this experience when traveling solitary in Greece. I used Viator to sign up for a few tours and classes – one of which was a Greek cooking grade (fantastic past the style!). Since I was lone, I kind of had to interact with strangers in gild to complete the cooking consignment. Information technology was a lot of fun to share travel-stories with like-minded individuals while experiencing this brand new thing! Some of the girls in the class also went on the mean solar day trip to Delphi (likewise booked through Viator -they take some astonishing tour opportunities – y'all should definitely check them out when planning your next trip!) so these girls became my traveling companions for the day. Looking back, I wish I would have added them on Facebook, merely I'll always hold the memories of our time together in Greece dearest.

Tips for Prophylactic Solo Travel

Traveling alone is an amazing experience and everyone should attempt it – but that doesn't mean y'all shouldn't take some precautions, especially as a woman traveling alone. Merely both genders should practice everything possible to stay safe.

Outset, you should always have actress copies of your travel documents. Make copies of your passport, drivers license, and itinerary.   Keep a re-create with you,but too proceed a re-create with a trusted friend at home. Having these copies will help you evidence your identity at an embassy should the originals get lost or stolen.

Go along extra coin or an extra credit card locked upward in the hotel prophylactic (or in a unlike pocket) for emergencies. You never know when something random will happen, and you volition need access to a separate puddle of money. My identity got stolen while I was on my way to my outset ever solo trip (Information technology had zilch to do with the travel -simply terrible timing) and I was super lucky that I had a completely different bank account ready to get, or I'd be stranded for two weeks with no money.

Let your friends and family dorsum domicile know you are condom. I do it with daily Facebook posts, but most phones take international program options you can plow on. If they don't hear from you when they know they should, and so at least they will know to start looking for y'all. We don't e'er want to think that the worst would happen to the states, but information technology'due south best to gear up for those things.

Lesser Line

The bottom line here is don't let anyone or anything concur yous dorsum. The world isn't ever a terrifying place that nosotros need to be sheltered from. Accidents can happen anywhere. Terrorism tin can happen anywhere. We have an illusion of safety where we live because information technology is familiar. Familiarity doesn't e'er equal prophylactic. Then live the life y'all want to live, for you, your manner. And cease worrying about whether others similar it or not.

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Source: https://partnersinfire.com/blog/traveling-alone/

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