Us millennials have certain prescribed #Goals, set mostly by social media trends and pop culture: #CoupleGoals, #FamJamGoals, #BFFGoals, and even #TravelGoals. And if inspirational quotes and a highly inspirational Kangana Ranaut from Queen are to believed, a solo sojourn to unknown lands seems like the ultimate #WanderlustGoal you can have.
One of my favourite scenes from Ranaut’s Queen has to be her struggle with a thief in a shady bylane of Paris, where she fights tooth and nail to keep her handbag from being stolen. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of concerns with solo travelling.
Not as easy as it looks, folks! Women’s safety even in their own cities is a matter of humungous concern amongst their families. Naturally, a woman travelling all alone to strange country might just give the woman and her family sleepless nights!
Travel blogger Ciara Johnson has been on there, done that. And fresh off her experiences of some successful solo trips, she decided to share a bunch of guidelines on how safe travelling for a solo woman traveller.
Im a woman and I travel the world alone, from Mexico to Morocco to Cuba to Bosnia to many other countries. Here’s a thread on how I stay safe: pic.twitter.com/ANnxNlWTYr
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
In her Twitter thread, she lists down certain dos and don’ts, some hacks as well as all the ways her life has changed ever since she’s begun taking these solo trips.
The thought of traveling to foreign countries alone, especially as a woman, sounds crazy. I love it though and it’s made me a stronger, more confident person. It’s changed my life, to say the least.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
So lady wanderlusters, time to get these travel hacks pat down!
1. Johnson stresses amply on the being cautious and aware of your surroundings.
It’s made me hyper aware of my surroundings. There’s no other option. Pay attention to the people in your surroundings, both near & far. Scan your surroundings. Is someone walking close to you? Does someone appear to be watching you? Did that car just pull beside you & slow down?
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Whether you’re a solo traveller or a woman living alone, the same rules apply. Be extremely wary at all times!
When I’m walking, I’m fully aware of what’s happening around me. I keep an eye on cars driving past me or anyone that slows/quicken their speed near me. I listen to footsteps & watch shadows. Mind you, this all applies to a woman who lives on her own too.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Don’t be worried that being extra careful will make you seem too paranoid. Better safe than sorry, remember?
If I’m walking in a quiet street and I see that a man is about to walk closely past me I’ll even cross to the other side of the street if no one else is around. It’s better to look a little paranoid than be harassed, robbed, or worse.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
2. You can never, NEVER do enough of research. Johnson insists checking in with other solo travellers who’ve been to the place you plan to visit.
I do lots of research before I go – cultural norms, customs, how to dress, scams, natural disasters, political climate, etc. Instead of listening to people who’ve never visited these places before, I look for first hand knowledge from other solo female travelers.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
3. Of course, having the right tech and apps at your disposal never hurts, right?
However, you’ve got to make sure your use it well. Don’t be too lost in your expensive gadgets and get careless!
Thanks to 2018 tech, I use google maps, translation apps, and drop my pin to friends/family often. I’m not above using my phone to stay safe, but I avoid pulling it out on the street or walking around with my head down bc I gotta be aware.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Intimate your family and friends about your whereabout. Other than stopping them from worrying too much, it’ll be like a nice backup in case of emergencies.
Thanks to Tmobile, I have free texting & data around the world. Family & friends are literally a text or phone call away. Make sure someone, anyone…knows where you are & where you're staying.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Sure, you want your social media to reflect the amazing time you’re having, but real-time updates might land you in some trouble.
When it comes to posting on social media, I never post in real time. I never tag locations while I'm actually there. I usually only post photos or share where I was, once I've left. You really never know who's lurking.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
4. Johnson repeatedly mentions how she’s more trusting of fellow women travellers when seeking help.
Whether it’s a request for help with directions…
Women around the world really look out for each other though & It's heartwarming. I sit next to women on buses. If I need directions, I usually ask a woman. This is not to say all women can be trusted, but I feel more comfortable trusting a woman on first instinct.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
…or checking online for reviews by female travellers.
Read reviews for hotels, airbnb, hostels, etc. Once again, all reviews aren't real but it's better to have some frame of reference. I specifically look for reviews written by women and I'd never book a place that has no reviews.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
5. Enjoy your trip, but remember your limits. It’s easy to get carried away, but it might also make you let your guard down.
I know my limits. Like, I can swim, but I'm not above using a life vest if I'll be in the sea for extended periods of time. I'm not too embarrassed to be the last one on a hike if I feel like I'm getting altitude sickness. I'll take an emergen-C if I feel myself getting sick.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Private taxis might be slightly expensive or hard to come by. But at least, they’re safer.
I Uber. No, Uber is not perfect, but I think it's a bit safer than hopping into a random taxi abroad. At least my location & the driver's info is stored in the app. In foreign countries, it can be hard to know if a taxi is even official.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
6. Johnson’s idea of keeping her cash and valuables safe is to only carry along what she needs. That’s smart, right?
I only carry the cash & valuables that I need. I leave all valuables behind at nighttime. I split up cash & cards throughout different bags in case one is stolen. I hold my bags directly in front of me with my hand over the opening if I am in a crowded area to avoid pickpockets.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
7. It’s okay to want to be nice to strangers, but don’t be too nice if a stranger is making you feel uncomfortable.
I'll lie or be rude if I need to. I'll lie if someone asks if I'm alone. I've gotten over being "nice" where nice is not warranted, especially when it comes to strange men.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
8. One golden rule. Three words: Trust your gut. And you’re all sorted.
You’ll be depending on complete strangers for the tiniest things, in a totally new country. And that’s okay. As long as your intuition has your ear at all times.
Trust your gut. Traveling alone actually causes you to depend on strangers for so many things, and majority of the time things work out great. I listen to any odd feelings I get and I've learned to discern people & situations.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Remember, if you feel lost, it is bound to show on your face. And that could be just the cue a predator needs to trap you. So game face on, okay?
Fake it till you make it. I swear I walk around like I know exactly what I'm doing, where I'm going…even when I don't. Head held high like I was born & raised in whatever country I'm visiting. Predators look for those who appear lost, scared, confused, insecure, etc.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Johnson admits it’s not easy to travel alone. But this daunting experience can be quite empowering!
There is a lot of romanticization of solo travel. Yes, it can be amazing, but it's not a walk in the park. It's not 'easy'. It's nothing like a vacation with family & friends. But it's so empowering and there's a lot to be gained from the experience.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
She’s hopeful that by sharing these tips, she’ll be helping more and more women to undertake solo sojourns as well as live alone.
I'm fully aware that the world can be a very dangerous place. Instead of living in fear, I do my best to play it safe – both at home & abroad. Sharing these tips for those that live alone or those who may want to travel alone.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Of course, Johnson is quick to clear the air that not all strangers are predatory or out to get you. A lot of them have shown her some real kindness!
And this all sounds scary, but traveling alone has actually revealed to me the beauty of humankind. I'm able to witness tiny miracles every day. Strangers have treated me like family. Still, it's necessary to be cautious.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Like who do you think clicks all those amazing photos of hers? Strangers do help out with that and mind you, not everyone runs away with your phone or camera!
Oh & for those asking, yes strangers take my photos. No, nobody has ever run off with my camera or phone. I'm pretty strategic about who I ask haha. I'll share a thread on that soon.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
Twitter was quite appreciative of these simple solo travel hacks, which if you look at them, work not just for women but also men!
1. Someone pointed out how travelling in small groups can also make you vulnerable target so it is always important to keep an eye out for trouble.
Thank you for sharing! This is really helpful and applies not only when you’re alone but when you travel in a small group of people https://t.co/xdS58Iokdv
— juli🤠 (@itsiuliana) March 1, 2018
2. Johnson shared this interesting piece of trivia that should make al us girls super proud!
It’s actually quite interesting. Contrary to popular belief, more women travel alone than men.
— Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara) March 1, 2018
3. Hear hear!
Did this last fall and I encourage all women to do it. Best decision I ever made. Just be cautious and you’ll be fine. https://t.co/eimqqjckSW
— ✨Niggas……in space🚀💫 (@scifibritt) March 1, 2018
4. Hope you’re noted them all down!
Must read thread for Solo travellers. Some really important pointers! https://t.co/v0bcy8dLu0
— Pankaj Ahuja (@panku_) March 2, 2018
5. CIA-level training this!
https://twitter.com/vforvandita/status/969800677730942976
6. Some even chimed in with their own hacks!
It's worthwhile to register with your embassy as well. They'll likely be the POC for your family in case something happens to you and can send out alerts to you if something big is happening that you may want to avoid. This a good thread.
— Logan Council (@LRishard) March 1, 2018
We all have our own individual travel styles. But we can definitely say we’re a little more prepared now, thanks to some excellent advice from Ciara Johnson!
In fact, this tweet just about sums it up perfectly!
YES. TRAVELING ALONE IS NOT DANGEROUS. IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE CLUELESS. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/QZDfkGfypR
— Molly Hawks (@MJoHawks) March 1, 2018
Let’s wanderlust the hell out of this year, ladies! Bon Voyage!