On Being a Solo Female Traveler

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I have been an SFT for one month now. SFT being the acronym I invented for Solo Female Traveler, or learning to deal with the world by yourself. With this new status, different cautions must be heeded, and new opportunities arise. On my first morning traveling independently, I was offered a ride to my hostel, encouragement to travel, and sugar-powdered cookies. I would like to think this would happen in any traveling situation, but traveling as a solo female makes people percieve you differently.

SFTs are more vulnerable because of their independent status. They are more open to the generosity of others, but are also more easily subjected to unwanted attention. Some SFT´s remedy this by eliminating male contact completely, but by eliminating all contact with males, you essentially eliminate half of the potential people you could converse with and learn from. I certainly wouldnt suggest this, but I would offer the suggestion to take a few extra precautions. As a SFT, there are a few more things you must keep in mind while on the road.

1. Dont make yourself an OBJECT OF VULNERABILITY: Keep your head up and mask fear with a bored and easily aggrivated attitude that could instantaneously switch to uuber-fighter overdrive, if necessary. Carrying yourself as a confident SFT wards off a great deal of potential perpetrators.

2. INTELLIGENCE is your GREATEST ALLY. By recognizing potentially dangerous locations (bars full of men, dark streets, unpopulated areas) you can avoid compromising situation. It is always handy to have a map, a friend, a phone and a place to go. If you do find yourself without one of these escape routes, dont be afraid to be loud and yell for help, hand over your purse in exchange for your life, or catch up to a larger group of people and walk with them. Remember the safety in numbers mentality.

3. GO WITH YOUR GUTS. Internal instinct can be invaluable and your greatest natural resource. Listen to your inner warning system. It is far better to get out of a potentially dangerous situation than to get out of a dangerous one...too late.

Lastly, dont be afraid to go out on your own. By keeping these things in mind, you lessen the number of situations in which you could find yourself at risk. Being an SFT is an incredibly liberating and freeing experience that you couldnt achieve traveling with others. The world is at your doorstep, and nothing is holding you back. You choose when to wake up, where to eat breakfast, what sights to see, and how to spend your time. Doing it all as a woman adds to the freedom. Just keep in mind that now you are more open to all kinds of experiences and people: both bad and good. Use your head and listen to that internal warning system and memorable experiences are guaranteed.

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Photos

Woman doing laundry
It is an old-fashioned town!

Nothing like a night at the theatre
Winter in Dubrovnik series...for free!

Creepy lawn decor
Check out this metallic baby head poking out of the foliage...scary!

Comments

[Elliott]

Awesome
Hey Rachel, thats some great advice for anybody. Glad to see your still rocking the Europe Conquest, Dubrovnik looks just...special. Enjoy. -E

[Christina]

I completely agree with being a SFT! When I studied in Dublin and traveled in groups, shopping was key, not seeing the beauty of the places we went to. It was devastating when we found ourselves outside Buckingham Palace at the exact time of the Changing of the Guards (which is a must-see) and they pulled me away because they were cold and bored and wanted Starbucks. When we went to Galway, I left the group while they were shoe shopping (in a store that we had in Dublin, mind you) and I got to see little nooks and crannies that were on side streets in the town that they weren't able to see. (I made them jealous with my pictures though!) I'm glad you are having a good time! I am so jealous of you experience!