It’s funny I never really thought about why I don’t travel, when people asked I just said I didn’t have anyone to go with and no one seemed to press the subject further. But when my BB (Big Brother) asked, this past December, I gave him the standard answer and instead of dropping the subject he asked “why can’t you go by yourself?” I told him it was a safety thing, which he countered that
I still think that it’s definitely more risky for women to travel alone than it is for men. But if I wait to meet someone, either a friend or that “special” guy to travel with, I think that all I may have to show for it is a lot of waiting. With my decision to travel alone it still won’t cover all of my destinations, because some places really wouldn’t be that safe after a certain hour, but I think there are enough destinations out there to keep me busy for a while.
If you’re wondering why I don’t travel with my friends, well all of my friends are married and some are starting families, so if they do travel generally it’s with their spouse and/or families. So, financially it just doesn’t work for them, which I absolutely understand. As far as traveling with my parents, which I used to do and enjoyed doing, we have special needs dogs that can’t be boarded, so if I do go out of town for a weekend up North (which I do a couple times a year) they take my dog and when they go on a vacation I take theirs. BTW: I don’t count going up North for a weekend as a true travel vacation. So, I am quite excited to start my new adventures! Now all I need is my passport (which I’m working on).
A little about BB….
I have always been the classic little sister who is in awe of her BB, even today I love hearing about his adventures. I say adventures because truly I have never met someone so bold in chasing their dreams. 4+ years ago he decided to move to
10 comments:
Go now! Go anywhere and everywhere! We went to England and Scotland for the first time in 2000 and I wondered why the hell I waited so long to start traveling. And I love having a passport because it means I can go almost anywhere!
I have a girlfriend that I've traveled with and we left the hubbies at home. It's great! Even if it's just scrapbooking at a B&B for a weekend. I find that every day life is a lot more tolerable when you break it up with trips every now and then :-)
Oh, and I wish I was more like your brother! Wow!
I'm much too timid to travel alone, and, like you, there aren't very many people I can travel with. But, I wish I could.
I think that's it's much easier for women to travel alone that most think. There are precautions that need to be taken, of course, but it's not all that bad. Like your BB said, not just Tokyo, but most of the world is safer than big American cities.
I enjoy travelling alone just because it means I get to do whatever I want, whenever I want and I don't have to go by anyone else schedule or anything like that. Although, having some one else to share the fun and adventure with is fun too sometimes.
Wow, your brother is quite the adventurer, isn't he? I'm glad to hear that he's rubbing off on you.
I think one of the best things a girl can do for herself is learn to be brave, confident and comfortable being alone. Something bad can happen on your own block just as easily as somewhere else. Just be confident and trust your instincts.
Where are you going first?
Kell-I agree breaking up everyday life with excursions really helps out a ton. Unfortunately, that’s all I’ve done few years. I am very excited to start venturing out and seeing the world, I just hope that it doesn’t take forever to get the proper paperwork completed so I can get my passport. But they said 3-6 mos for a replacement Naturalization Certificate. I lost mine over 10 years ago when I was about 15 and never got around to replacing it. So I have to get that before I can get my passport.
Betty-For destinations that I'm not totally comfortable traveling to alone I'll probably look into using a tour group type company. There are a ton of different types some that do everything for you to others that keep the group together for some sightseeing, but also gives you certain freedoms to venture out on your own. Maybe that would be something that would work for you.
Jay-My BB said that some of his women friends have traveled alone and have done just fine. I guess my BB’s assurance that I would do just fine traveling alone is what convinced me. I bet I will have a lot to Blog about once I get traveling.
Susan-I initially wanted to go to Tokyo first, in fact I have my first 3 days planned out already. But I may have to settle on a domestic location if it continues to take forever in getting my passport. Also, I agree with you about being brave and confident when alone it really changes the whole experience into something positive.
Don't hesitate! Go! I think you'll regret it someday if you don't. I wish I had traveled more, before I sold my soul to a house and a job, and acquired two little fur-babies.
I used to travel alone all the time and LOVED it!
You go, Girl!!
Tink-I passed up on a trip to San Fran a couple years back because I ended up buying a townhouse and adopting a pup! Originally I was going to finish up on my Home Improvements this summer, but instead decided to forgo them so I could travel.
Teena-What was your favorite destination?
While I'd agree that women traveling alone have a harder time, I also think that about 70-80% of travel difficulties are the fault of travelers who assume that, while traveling, things should always be the way that they are at home/in america and that people in the host country should have to bend over backwards to accommodate you and not the other way around. That phrase "ugly American " exists for a reason.
Travel everywhere, but research the country and heed the guidebooks as to what to do and not to do and you won't go too wrong.
You should check out Red's Travel. It might be helpful :-)
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