Travelling Solo

Can there really be any better way to travel than by yourself? I mean let's think about this logically.

• You'll have the freedom to do what you like, when you like. So if you want to head to the city for a weekend you can, or if you want to laze around on the beach, you can do that too.
• You'll have the independence you need to really enjoy your cultural experience. When you travel with someone it's extremely difficult to get your own space and this can make you angry, frustrated and cranky - effectively ruining your enjoyment of the new culture and the amazing destination.
• You'll be in the best position to immerse yourself in a new culture without the safety net of your friends to hold you aloof. You'll make new friends from the local community and before you know it you'll find yourself actually living the life of a local - an experience that shouldn't be missed!

Clearly, travelling alone is an incredible experience that will suit almost everyone but there are some safety issues that you should consider before you go. Travelling a group is undoubtedly safer than travelling alone but that isn't to say that travelling alone is dangerous, it just means you should take more precautions. You might want to consider going on a travel safety course to help you prepare for the new situations which you will be travelling into. This is a great way to raise your own awareness and get you ready for the challenges you will face abroad. Alternatively, you can do the research and prepare yourself.

How to prepare

• Leave details of your itinerary with a friend or loved one back home. It is also good to tell your host organization your plans.
• Ask directions somewhere before setting out, so this reduces your risk of getting caught lost alone.
• Seek accommodations in safer areas, and always keep your door locked when leaving or asleep.
• Keep a card with your accommodation details in case you have to give them to a cab driver or officer.
• Take a mobile phone for emergencies, but keep concealed when not in use.
• Keep some money outside of your purse or money belt, so you aren't constantly exposing it to anyone who may be watching.

How to conduct yourself abroad

• Don't discuss your travel plans or itinerary in public.
• Keep a low profile. Don't dress extravagantly, wear excessive (or any) jewellery, etc.
• When travelling with expensive equipment, like cameras, cover up the brand label to disguise its worth.
• Travel light, if there should be a need to make a quick exit.
• When taking public transport, do not enter vehicles that do not have proper license.
• Be alert for people trying to watch your movements. If you see someone who you think might be eyeing you, change your pattern of movement or duck into a shop to see if you're being followed.
• If you can at least 'look' like you know where you're going, you look less like a target.
• Be careful when drinking. Watch your drinks being made, how much you drink, and being offered a drink from a stranger.
• Trust your instincts, they're often spot on when sensing a possible threat.

Don't be put off

It's important that you don't let fear keep you from travelling. Staying at home has as many potential dangers as travelling does; you're just accustomed to them. The more you travel, the more you'll learn to recognise and avoid potential dangers, so technically you should travel more not less!

Often times when people think about travelling alone, they let the risks outweigh the numerous advantages. To many, travelling alone is the preferred way to experience a foreign land and the best way to truly immerse yourself in a culture.

When you travel with even one other person, it creates a degree of separation between yourself and the environment you're in. Travelling alone allows you to sever ties with your own culture and completely immerse yourself in another. You can change plans on a whim allowing you to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities which are guaranteed to arise as you travel.

If nothing else, travelling alone gives you the opportunity to rediscover yourself. Understanding yourself is pretty rare in this day and age and you'll probably be surprised with what you find. Many people discover that they are a lot stronger and a lot more capable than they initially realised while they travel the country and this can open a lot of doors for you when you return!