We live in a day where most women live independent, free lives. With the same rights as men, women choose what they want to do, and they do it. Traveling and backpacking is no exception. Unfortunately, for many people, a great deal from the older generation, believe that women should not travel alone, ever. Backpacking alone in another country seems absolutely abhorrent, and many sob that it is not a wise choice.
This is incorrect. Thousands of females backpack through Europe, Asia, and other countries every year, and approach home unscathed, even though they traveled without a partner. This type of travel is not only possible, but very encouraged. As any backpacker can attest to, starting a trip with a friend is a good way to waste that friendship. Differences in view, tastes, locations, and events can all lead to difficult arguments and situations, and ultimately result in the two splitting at different countries and going their own map. Backpacking is something for each individual person. It is not mapped out. It is not strict. Backpacking is spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment adventure, and the only way to experience it unhindered is to commence it alone.
Why should this not be reality for women?
If you are a solo female looking to backpack abroad for the first time, or if you know someone who is about to embark on their first adventure, rest assured that with a little pre-planning, the trip will be a mild one, and will be as safe for a female as it would a male.
1: Get stronger
This surprises many women, and without good reason. If you are traveling alone, it is important to be strong enough to manage on your own. Can you carry a 40lb. bag on your back for miles at a time? Can you accelerate with that pack on your back for a mile or more if necessary? Are you strong enough to haul a large stone or log out of your way if you are in a solo camping or country setting?
The best way to gather stronger is to begin lifting weights (heavy weights!) at least 6-weeks before leaving for your trip. Consult strength training manuals, or ask for help online from a strength/bodybuilding website. Explain what you need and ask for someone to help you. The thing to remember, however, is that you must lift heavy weights to get stronger. Stomach crunches, 5lb pink dumbbell curls, and running are not viable ways to strengthen your body.
2: Learn the common scams and mugging tactics
Are you traveling throughout SE Asia? How about Europe? Assume a good guidebook that lists the common and not-so-common scams that happen and memorize them. Learn what thieves like to do to get you alone, what tricks are used to get your money, and what methods are devised to leave you vulnerable. Once you memorize them, be alert for them. If you notice something similar to them happening, try to remove yourself from that situation as fast as possible. If you feel uncomfortable, a planned situation changes without warning, or something just ‘doesn’t seem right’, get somewhere crowded and blend in. Come By away from whatever is making your uncomfortable.
3: Don’t vow strangers where you’re going or where you are staying.
If you take a cab, don’t bellow the driver exactly where you are staying. This may sound like paranoia, but it is not. Ask for them to take your to a certain street that is relatively close to your location, and then get out and walk the rest of the way. The only time this doesn’t apply is if it is night time, in which case it is more uncertain to walk.
If someone makes general chit-chat with you, and then asks where you are staying, just politely reply that you are simply a backpacker, and the streets are your hotel.
4: Don’t leave food or drink unattended
Do not leave your food or your drink unattended. This is the perfect chance for someone to scramble something into your drink. Be alert to uncommon situations which may give someone the opportunity. It only takes two seconds to tumble something in your drink. If someone sits near you, and a moment later someone across the room drops something, drawing attention, be wary of what may have been done to your drink while you weren’t looking.
This doesn’t have to be taken to the point of paranoia. You should simply be aware of whose terminate to you. A top-notch way to help prevent something from being dropped in your drink is to casually place your palm over your cup while looking away or talking. This is a casual move, and if you pay attention, you will notice that many people do it.
5: Learn to read people
This is something most people possess, and is a necessity when backpacking. You will meet dozens of people everyday you know nothing about. Learning to explore habits, pick up tones, notice mannerisms, or other clues, can give you an idea of the persons character. This can be as simple as an observation – while you shouldn’t judge a person by their looks, it can be a good indication of what that person is like.
There are mannerisms that can help you gain insight into the persons mind. Do they speak very loud, and always manage to draw attention back to their beget self? There is a advantageous chance this person is a liar, or prone to lying. Does a person seem horrified, nervous, or look away constantly? Perhaps that person has something else in mind that is making them nervous. Does the person seem so smooth, so perfect, that you instantly feel comfortable, and find yourself wanting to blab everything? This tends to be the most dangerous clue – many people with ill-intentions have learned this find art of being the perfect person for everyone, and can get your guard down quickly.
6: Dress conservative
The best draw to get mugged is to get noticed. You won’t be mugged if you’re not even seen. If you dress flashy, in expensive-looking or bright clothes, in low cut shirts or high skirts, if you show a lot of skin, etc – these are all things that have resulted in attacks. You will draw attention. People will eye, and this includes the people you don’t want to study you.
The saying ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’ is very true. If you are in poorer areas, where loose clothing, shirts with long or mid-length sleeves. Cotton pants and sweat pants are both good choices. Do not wear a ton of makeup. Do not wear very noticeable perfume. Dress as other dress.
This, of course, does depend on your station. If you are in India, Pakistan, or Thailand, this is ample advice. If you are in London or Sydney, however, you will look like a bagger. You obviously can’t go to nice restaurants, theaters, or plays like this. The best clue is to dress like everyone else, but do so conservatively, so as to not stand out so much as to map attention.
7: Don’t be stupid
This seems like the obvious one, yet it is the number one reason people end up hurt, kidnapped, or killed – they act stupid. Stupid comes in many forms. The unusual thing about ’stupid’ is that it only takes one time to screw everything up.
Some stupid things people do – they don’t follow the above advice. They blab about who they are and where they are staying to everyone. They ignore what is going on around them. They shack up with anyone. They wonder the streets at night time, or worse, as night time while completely drunk. Stupid people trust everyone. Stupid people do what ever they are asked to do. Stupid people assume that everything is fine, everyone is cool, and that the world is fair dandy. Stupid people extinguish up in bad situations.
The worst type of boring? The temporary one, where for fair a moment, a smart person acts tedious. A smart person gets comfortable, and comfort leads to sloppiness, which ultimately leads to one of the listless mistakes.
Don’t be stupid.
That is it. It may seem like a lot, but it is not. There is one thing you will notice about these rules – they apply to everyone, men and women alike. There is nothing special about them, nothing unique or magical. They are simply favorite sense. Women who follow this advice, who use common sense, can travel alone objective as well as anyone else.
The most essential rules, however, is to have fun. Don’t follow these to the point of paranoia, don’t run from everyone under the assumption that they have ill-intent. Have fun, be careful, and don’t be stupid.
Related Blogs
- JourneyLearning: – Your journey guide » From backpacking through Europe (I)
- Backpacking Trip Through Europe | Europe Travel Guide
- Has backpacking changed? – Lonely Planet blog
- Backpackers in Paris | Hotel Voucher Traveling Motel Backpacker Tips Holiday Honeymoon
- Thai Beach Backpacker Villas In Thailand For the Billionaire Backpacker « Thailand Hotels
- Backpacker Cheap Insurance Travel Uk: Chase the Wilderness
- The Gear Guide Issue is out – Backpacker « Hike the Highlands Festival
- The Important Facts When Purchasing The Martin Backpacker Guitar | Caribbean Art Sale
- Harvest work contractor ’sacked backpackers after they asked for water’ – thUMBRELLA
- China Planning Massive Asia-Europe Rail System | InfoFork.com
- Europe down, Asia flat as investors step back | myfapturboforex.com
- Asia Markets And Europe Open (3/12/2010) – 24/7 Wall St.
- Markets News Monday: China calls pressure on currency appreciation "protectionism"; Shares fall in Europe and Asia; Aryzta reports flat half-year profits | Refinancing
- On the Trail of the DC Snipers | With Good Reason Radio
- A good reason to equalise CGT and Income Tax rates « Freethinking Economist
- One Good Reason Not To Resort To A Ponytail This Morning | home beauty school
- Better Have A Good Reason For A Cash Advance
- DeMint: “I have taken on my own party for good reason.” « Nathan Earle
- One Good Reason to Keep Income Tax Returns as Totally Freaking Annoying as Possible. – Hit & Run : Reason Magazine
- Maria Shipley » Blog Archive » A Good Reason to Travel
Bodybuilding and School - What Food to Pack
