How Female solo travellers manifest empowerment and tips for the same

Women have stood up for themselves for hundreds of years, but it is only more evident in recent times. They have made remarkable achievements that was thought to be endemic to the male gender. Alike, travelling is an area women haven’t left out but rather revolutionized, defying the myth that women always needs a man to take care of them. Solo travelling has been around for thousands of years. In history, trade was the prime motive of travel apart from migration and communication. Nomadic travelling was perhaps first popularized by the hippie movement (around 1960s), especially expeditions such as the Hippie Trail taken by Hippies starting in Amsterdam, ending in India (on road). During this time, the world saw a rising numbers of solo travellers who sold off everything they own to wander the world. It is a desirable lirfe indeed and a difficult one to achieve too, but people lived it. This game, unlike many others, wasn’t, and still isn’t, dominated by men and has seen a fair share of women travellers nomading around free-spirited. To many levels, this is self-made empowerment. In India alone, there are innumerable female solo travellers who have set an example to women who think travelling alone is only for men. Some of the most prominent names are Wandering Kamya, Ankita Mahabir and Amrita Das, only to name a few. These women, even though mildly reckless, are just as careful. It is true that things are difficult for a women and eve teasing and staring is no rarity. There are a few tips shared by professional female travellers that have helped them in the journey: 1.Stay connected Keep you friends and family updated about where you are going and your activities. Apart from the safety aspect of this tip, you stay in touch with your loved ones who are probably fretting over their solo travelling daughter/ friend. 2.Trust, but not too much Parents have raised us with the same advice: “Don’t accept and food or drinks from strangers”. This is important here. Most people are genuine souls but you cannot trust people to an extent to jeopardize your safety. Be street smart always. 3.Set small deadlines Women meandering late at night is not safe anywhere in India, unless you have a group of trusted friends. Still, don’t risk it and promise yourself to return to you hotel on time. 4.Adapt to the culture Crop tops and shorts suit you very well for sure, but if your clothes grab too much attention or are not in harmony with the local culture, you should rethink your style; both for safety and experience. People will be more amicable if you look and act like them. 5.Be quick to judge and always be confident If you happen to book a train holiday package in India, judge your fellow travellers and decide how intimate you should be. While its great to make friends, one needs to be picky. You will naturally avoid unpleasant people but if you are contacted, be confident or appear to be so. Don’t seem lost or vulnerable at any given moment and act like you belong to the place you are visiting. If the situation calls, speak out loud and seek attention for help. 6.Defend yourself Solo travellers are more vulnerable to attacks compared to larger groups. Carry a small knife and pepper spray in case you must defend yourself. These few tips come from the experiences of popular female solo travelers who have been through it all and learned it the hard way. Such women have paved the path for other women to be independent travelers, and travelling is the best kind of education. The practice manifests women empowerment not because the world has started to treat them alike to men, which certainly hasn’t to a notable extent. Instead, because women solo travelers demonstrate courage to step out of home and face the world and new places all alone.