The Virtual Female Globetrotter Festival is an annual event hosted by Nomadher, its purpose is to reignite our love for travel and bring our community together.

If you couldn’t participate in our videoconferences on September 25 and 26 of 2020, no worries, we made a little recap just for you.

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For its second Edition, the festival had to adapt and was held online due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, it could not hold us back from impacting our wish to rekindle our love for travel and bring our community together in these difficult times.

What was on the program?

• A Speaker sessions in 4 different languages (Spanish, Korean, French, English)
• An Art/Photo Exhibition,
• Startup Booths,
• A Live Yoga Session,
• A DJ party and networking sessions.

The french session welcomed 4 panelists:

Cam Linh Huynh - Photographer

"The goal of my project is to give a new perspective on asian women other than the one people  have."

Tiana Bl - Graphic designer and founder of Afrogarden

"[...] so that I can go to Africa to draw my inspiration from its richness for my boxes".

Lisa Billiard - Founder of CagoleNomades

"Our goal is to make practical and comfortable  clothes in a stylish way so that they represent the values of today's younger women..."

Claire Siegert - Co- Founder of Businettes

"[....] We focus on solo female entrepreneurs..."

The theme of the talk was about “How traveling can help change lives”

Interviewed by Hyo, CEO and founder of Nomadher, these young entrepreneurs told us their different travel stories and the source of their inspiration for their work.

During their exchange, the word "Prejudices" came up each time, they exposed through their stories, the prejudices they had to face in their personal and professional lives.

Lisa Brillard explained where she got the idea for the name of her startup and the reason behind it.

"Cagole refers to a stereotype of some women from the south of France... basically these are bothersome girls. So I told myself these women represent my culture, they don't care what people think of them, they are determined, authentic, they bother because they take up space in public areas[ ...] I had to reappropriate this word  [ ...] today to be a nomad cagole is to be committed".

Today these women are fighting to reduce and eradicate prejudices about women through their various projects.

"I chose to put the spotlight on women in urban art [...] my project aims to create a space for them and their projects".

Cam Linh Huynh

"Businettes is a digital platform designed to motivate women and support them in their entrepreneurship journey".

Claire Siegert

"The goal is to make people travel through my art but also by putting in the spotlight black women and the African continent."

Tiana Bl

Finally, to answer the question on the theme of the conference, the speakers all agreed that solo traveling has changed their perception of life, for them, traveling enabled them to gain in maturity, courage and self-confidence.

Traveling solo is a taste of freedom and independence.

The article is contributed by Amel. Amel is a 24 years old fresh graduate in international affairs who spent the last 5 years traveling solo around Asia. Last year, her internship at the French Embassy in China enabled her to visit friends in Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. In this article, she opens the door to a new way of thinking solo travelling in China, with a close look at the Muslim Hui people you could meet in Xi'an.

I lived in Beijing from July to December 2019 and travelled within China.

Depending on the type of visa you get to enter the country, you might not be allowed to leave and re-enter China. I then recommend you to travel within China before considering visiting neighbor countries. This is the cheapest and most interesting experience as China is diverse and offers various types of landscapes and lush valleys, mountains, beaches…

To start this article, spoiler alert, it is considered safe to solo travel in China, but I highly recommend you to have a fair Mandarin spoken and reading comprehension level. Despite Chinese people’s kindness, most signs are not translated, including the apps that you must download before landing there such as maps, food delivery apps, chat apps etc.

I was fortunate enough to travel solo from Beijing to the city of Xi’an, one of the country’s biggest cities in size and population. This city, which has a history of more than 3,100 years, was the capital of China during the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties and was then called Chang'an. Today's Xi'an is one of the ten largest cities in China. It has more than 8 million registered inhabitants and is reachable by a bullet train from the capital

This trip to Xi’an was then a gateway to the Hui Ethnic minority.

Wandering around Xi’an often starts with a tour at Huimin Street, the northern gate of Xi'an.  Huimin street is the most famous district of Xi'an in terms of gastronomy and culture as it offers Hui food including ramen noodles, lamb skewers, and naan.

Through my interactions with Hui people, I discovered a fascinating side of this culturally-rich country. Their culture has distinct differences that developed from the practice of Islam. The government defines the Hui people to include all historically Muslim communities not included in China's other ethnic groups. They are therefore distinct from other Muslim groups such as the Uyghurs mostly living in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

A must-go place to discover the Hui cultures and values is the mosque, located in the center of the Hui district. The mosque’s maintenance staff was very welcoming and the locals invited me to visit the prayer room.

To add, the large wild goose pagoda of Xi'an is majestic and a great spot to meet many enthusiastic and warm people while learning about the history of Xi’an. It is fair to say that Chinese people tend to be really curious and won’t hesitate to hail foreigners in the street to ask them about their nationality or the reason for their venue in China. For a solo traveler, this is something that most of the time is more than welcome.

Indeed, I was fortunate enough to talk with several people in the subway, share my diner with strangers in a restaurant and play cards with a family sitting next to me on the train after the mother kindly offered me some cucumbers. In general, people directly hail you in Chinese and are glad when you manage to have a basic conversation in Mandarin.

Indeed, on my way to the Little and Big Wild Goose pagodas, some Chinese tourists asked me for directions on the bus. They were coming from Shanghai, and did not realize  I was not Chinese and asked me in Mandarin: "Are you Muslim? Or Uyghur?" When I exposed them to where I came from, they were very surprised since they thought my hair and brown eyes made me look like an Uyghur woman. It is very common for a foreigner in China to experience such conversations,  and there is nothing wrong with it unless it makes you uncomfortable.  One solo traveler should expect some Chinese people to ask for pictures taken together, to touch her hair, or comment on their physical appearance. This does not happen very often, especially in big cities, but should be declined nicely if not appreciated.

All in all, I aimed with this short article to give a taster of what it is like to travel solo in the city of Xi’an. When we decide to travel by ourselves and not to depend on anyone else, trying to get to know people from different ethnicities levels up our experience. Xi’an is a very fascinating destination for basic tourism, offering various sites to visit. However, I highly recommend you to immerse yourself in the Hui district for a few days, striking experience guaranteed.

During your quest to explore the world, should you feel a little daunted, a little lost, if you made a mistake here and there…That’s okay. Because that’s what living is about.

NomadHer is delighted to interview  Lydia, the creator of the travel blog Lydiascapes (https://www.lydiascapes.com/)! Lydia is Singaporean, passionate about rock climbing and decided, a few years ago, to “ditch her high heels for hiking boots”. To this day, she has been to over 58 countries! You guessed it, we had to meet her. Here are her thoughts and tips on solo female travelling.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, when did you start travelling alone? Why? What is your current situation?

I really love travelling ever since I was young, thanks to my parents who had the travel bug. Only when I got much older, became independent and started to earn my money did I really started to go on more trips. When I was 25 years old, I started to really enjoy rock climbing and that’s when I started looking to go on adventures and trips off the beaten tracks.

My very first solo trip wasn’t actually fully solo initially, I tagged along a trip with my friend to go skiing in Japan. They had organised everything and I just tagged along. After these 5 days of skiing, I had 3 days on my own in Tokyo, all by myself. It was the first time I tried Couchsurfing and the first time I tried Airbnb solo and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. As much as I was worried about language issues or being lonely, I had a good time! I could see why a lot of my friends would choose to go solo travelling or choose to go to Japan for their first trip. As long as you have a phone and you dare to ask questions, as long as you take a bit of time to figure things out, it’s actually safe and everything will go well. Problems get resolved over time.

I started my blog seven years ago, first just as a hobby, to write down my adventures: it was a way to keep my memories somewhere. Then as it started to grow, I converted it into a full-time blog two years ago. I quit my job -I used to work in the hotel industry, which is a very fancy corporate environment- and became a full-time digital nomad! I work on my blog, give a lot of talks about travel and being a content creator, plus I am a digital marketing consultant. I can work from anywhere in the world! Right now, I’m in Singapore because of the coronavirus.

Among the countries you have visited, which is your favourite?

It’s a very tricky question, there are so many beautiful countries! One on the top of the list would be New Zealand because it really looks like a postcard, everything is so beautiful, the scenery is picture perfect! If you are a nature or adventure lover, you will be blown away by how stunning the lakes are, the mountains, everything! Definitely a country I’ll go back to. I think the best way to see the country is to do a camping trip.

Which country or travel experience really surprised you?

One really intimidating and eye-opening was Bangladesh, because of the lifestyle. I went in July 2019, for a week, I was coming from Bhutan with my partner. It seems very uncommon for travellers to visit the country because it’s not really a touristic destination. We were probably the only two foreign faces in the crowds, everywhere we went we felt like celebrities because people were looking at us! It was hard to blend in since we felt people watching us all the time. In consequence, my partner and I never dared to take out our phones or camera under so many stares, we didn’t know if it was allowed or safe to do so. It’s the only country where I have so few pictures, I might have only five or ten!

We didn’t live in the expected areas, so we walked a lot, or used rickshaws, in typical local markets, which is such an eye-opening experience. You can see people walking around the market, holding five live chickens upside down in each hand, people selling raw meat displayed on the ground…The lifestyle there were so different from some other less developed East Asian countries, one would expect Bangladesh to have some common points with them.

What does travelling alone bring you?

I find that when you are travelling alone, you don’t have to worry about looking out for your companion. You can be comfortable in your own skin and hence gets to immerse yourself more in your surroundings. For example, my first solo trip after Japan one was to Canada: I did a 27-hour train ride, and I was alone. So, I just looked through the window, observed people and the changing scenery outside… One thing about travelling alone is that your senses are much keener because you are able to immerse completely in the place without having anyone else to worry about. And that’s really enjoyable, I think.

Has travelling changed your perception of yourself? How?

I find that when you travel alone you tend to think a lot more and reflect more on your life. When you’re on your own, there is nobody to talk to or to distract you and so you can take those silent moments to introspect, think about your life etc and actually address your emotions and thoughts better since you’re forced to confront to it.

And it changed me because it made me more comfortable in different situations: when you go back to society, to your daily life and problems, you tend to be calmer and to be more reflective instead of being reactive and stressed. Travelling solo helps you take a step back and gives you a better perspective and approach to things.

Do you have an experience or person you met who changed your way of perceiving yourself, or the others, or even the fact of travelling alone?

During my travels, I have met so many kinds of people, some who are still my friends now. It’s really interesting because travelling helps take down boundaries between cultures and races and stereotypes and it helps make you less racist or biased, because of all this diversity of people you meet. A person who really has changed my life a lot is probably my current partner Cez, because I met him on my travels, during a travel conference in Ireland. He has been travelling for ten years, so way longer than me. He showed me so many new perspectives on how to travel, how to travel full time, on budget, how to live in a car for a long time…I really discovered a lot about travelling with him.

What would you say to people who say that travelling alone as a woman is dangerous?

Saying that travelling is a hundred per cent safe would be naïve, or to be blind to potential problems. Travelling always comes with risks, whether you’re a man or a woman, if you’re ignorant or unprepared. Travelling alone as a woman isn’t the most dangerous thing a woman could do. If you’re smart, and wise, about the destination you pick, you can have a fantastic trip without encountering any problem at all. Even if you are travelling with a partner, you can potentially encounter a problem or dangerous situation, because there will always be potential risks, from pickpockets, robbers etc. A lot of women tend to have the misconception that they shouldn’t travel alone because there are risks, but my suggestion for that is to do more research. Be smart about what you do, dress more conservatively, do not walk in areas where your instinct tells you it could be dangerous…make friends along the trip as well! There are so many women who travel around and who don’t encounter any problem at all.

How could we change this idea that women shouldn't travel alone, and should go with someone?

I think that rather than thinking and saying that women shouldn’t travel alone, we should ask ourselves why and how solo travelling can be safe and enjoyable, which practices to use to stay safe. We should show the benefits, the gain people get from travelling, share our tips and best practices. If you are ignorant, and you travel on your own, yes, you can put yourself in great risks, because you are vulnerable, not informed etc, hence naïve. And naïve and solo travel doesn’t really make a good mix. However, if you are smart and careful, and you do your research, your trip will be thoroughly enjoyable.

What is your worst experience? How did you handle it? Did it have an impact on you, your behaviour or your life? It’s a tough one, I wouldn’t say I have a lot of bad experiences while travelling solo. Probably when it comes to taking photos, you end up not having any footage of yourself because you don’t dare to ask people, by fear of them stealing your camera? There are also countries where I encountered nasty people. When you travel alone, you tend to be more defenceless, whereas if you travel with a companion or your family, people don’t approach you that much, they don’t dare to talk to you as much. I encountered people who throw me racist or sexist comments, or who were nasty, which is unpleasant. BUT, as a solo female travelling alone, I also get a lot of helping people, who are willing to give you a hand!

What advice and tips would you give women who hesitate to travel alone?

I would say: do not be afraid and don’t let worries and anxiety about children, finances or companionship stop you from exploring and discovering the world. Because travelling is a fantastic way to understand yourself and it makes you more confident and happier as a woman. I encourage every woman to embrace travel and discover themselves.

Your best experience while travelling?

I would say all the places where I was able to rock climb. I love outdoor climbing and nature, and outdoor rocks. I have gone to so many unique destinations to rock climb, it not only helped get stronger physically but also helped me see the world from a different viewpoint. Some of these places are so unique and special. For example, I rock climbed in Greece, on Kalymnos island, one of the most famous rock-climbing destinations. I was climbing through the rock, and then goats and sheep appeared from nowhere, watching me climb. It was awesome, just me, the rocks, a gorgeous sunset and then suddenly a bunch of random goats and sheets climbing around me. You wouldn’t experience this anywhere else! In the future, I’d love to design and create my own climbing wall, so I can teach my future children to rock climb as well and take them with me rock climbing!

Do you have a message for the women who will read you?

During your quest to explore the world, should you feel a little daunted, a little lost, if you made a mistake here and there…That’s okay. Because that’s what living is about.

To find out more about Lydia and her travel stories you can check out her blog (https://www.lydiascapes.com/) and follow her Instagram (@lydiascapes), Twitter (@lydiascapes), Facebook (@lydiascapestravelblog).

New York City is often associated with plenty of things: some good, some bad and some things that you don’t even know what to make of. However, I must assure you that despite the warnings and the risky adrenaline filled movies about the city, it is indeed possible to have both a safe and enjoyable experience in the heart of Manhattan. New York is a city with a wide range of boroughs and neighborhoods that are home to the most diverse group of people, cultures and cuisines. It is possibly the most metropolitan city that you will ever encounter and has a heartbeat to it that is impossible to replicate. The city that never sleeps is indeed the best way to describe it as the city often feels alive in itself. When you visit Manhattan, you will meet the most interesting people and hear the most extraordinary stories and if you’re lucky enough, you will have some unforgettable adventures. I know that embarking on a journey to New York is definitely a nerve racking experience and I’m sure that everyone around you will have some sort of advice or opinion to give you. I acknowledge that most of these things are well-intentioned but just remember to be aware that not all these sources come from facts and are sometimes based on rumors and old wives’ tales. However, that being said, New York definitely has some shady areas and you just need to be able to take care of yourself  in order to remain safe.

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Here are my New York solo female travel tips:
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1. Do not take the subway alone after 11pm
‍The subway is the most commonly used mode of transportation in New York and is extremely efficient and cost friendly. It may be daunting at first, but make sure to familiarize yourself with the system and you should be fine. Ensure that if you are ever in a subway car alone that you switch cars. Conductors are often found in middle cars and it is usually recommended to travel in their car. Mind your own business whilst traveling and make sure to be aware of your belongings.
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2. Do not venture into boroughs that you are not advised to be in
‍Familiarize yourself with the safe neighborhoods and the not so safe areas some of which include East Harlem and the Bronx. These neighborhoods often have sights to visit too and you may do so in groups of 3 or more; there are often tour groups arranged.
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3. Do not leave personal belongings unattended in public areas
New York is full of many types of people including thiefs. Do not tempt them by leaving your belongings out in the open. Make sure to always keep a close eye on your personal items in order to ensure their safety.

4. Make sure to know your way around/route
One way of ensuring additional safety is by being aware of where you are going. It will help you remain efficient and not accidentally venture into areas where you do not want to be. It will also help you refrain from viewing your map or directions on your phone which will immediately signal your status as a tourist and might warrant you unwanted attention.

5. Keep your belongings close to your body
New York has a lot of pickpockets and the only way to avoid it is by being constantly aware of your belongings and holding onto your valuables tight. In the worst case that you do get stolen from, I’d recommend to not get too affected as it happens often in the city. In order to minimize your misfortune, make sure to not carry too much money or valuables on your body and to instead keep them in the safe.

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6. Maintain a brisk pace of walk
By maintaining a quick speed, you will be able to get to places fast without attracting unwanted attention and you will blend in with the local New Yorkers.

7. Do not be scared or fear walking alone - remain confident 
Stay confident. You are a strong, independent woman and you have all the resources to take care of yourself. To invest in this confidence, make sure to download all the apps that you need to assist you on this journey and educate yourself on your environment and surroundings.

8. Don’t stop and take selfies/photos in the middle of the road 
By doing this you are not only clearly labelling yourself as a tourist but you are also annoying a lot of the locals. This will probably earn you a few brisk looks or even huffs while people walk past you. If you wish to take pictures, make sure to stop in a way that you are not blocking other people’s paths.

Last but not least, enjoy your time in the greatest city in the world! It is absolutely magical and has something for every single type of person.

Sri Lanka is a small island rich with culture, history and most importantly, delicious food! The island is often referred to as the pearl of the Indian Ocean and indeed has qualities that are quite precious. Sri Lankan food is a culinary experience that can be compared to no other, but if I had to describe it for what it is, I would say it is most similar to a zesty mix between Thai and Indian food. However, despite that description, I must set a disclaimer that it really cannot be compared to any other cuisine, so you must first try it in order to truly understand it. There are many different flavors and tastes that encompass the broad Sri Lankan cuisine. It is most famous for its herbs and spices that range from cinnamon to nutmeg to lemongrass and more. The food is often spicy and may be a little difficult for people who are not familiar with spicy food but can usually be created and customized for individual tastes. In a broader sense, it is generally quite a healthy cuisine and is based in carbohydrates such as rice and accompanied with proteins usually in the form of curries. Sri Lankans are not always vegetarian but there are many flavorful vegetarian dishes that add to the health factor in Sri Lankan cuisine. Most people come to Sri Lanka with no prior expectations from the cuisine, but if you ask tourists leaving Sri Lanka what their favorite memory is, I would guarantee you that 80% of them will say the food is what blew them away!

A brief description of the main dishes that make up Sri Lankan cuisine:

Kottu Roti
Kottu is one of the most iconic Sri Lankan meals and is usually considered the staple fast food on the island. I personally associate it with late night stops on the side of the road to indulge in the yummy spice filled delicacy that is Kottu. Think of a sort of a fried rice but instead of rice, it is replaced with roti (a type of bread)

Chicken Curry (kukulmas curry)

This is the most famous curry that accompanies the classic Sri Lankan rice and curry experience. It is made with coconut milk and often includes tomato in the mix. Like most other famous Sri Lankan dishes it too involves the use of many spices to finish off it’s wonderful taste.

Kiri bath (Milk rice)

This is another staple Sri Lankan dish that is usually associated with auspicious religious events. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist island and this meal is commonly found at religious celebrations and special events.

String hoppers (Indhiyappa)

String hoppers are another famous dish on the island loved by both locals and tourists alike. It is again based in starch and can be eaten with accompaniments of spicy curries.

Thambili (Coconut water)

This is a well known local drink that is quite popular on the island. It is both refreshing and yummy and is usually consumed by the beach with the salty air blowing through your hair. The drink’s taste resembles the chilled out vibe on the South Coast of the island.

Chocolate Biscuit Pudding

Or as the locals fondly refer to it - CBP. CBP is a dessert found only in Sri Lanka and is genuinely one of the most divine desserts that I have ever tasted. It can be made in many different ways with nuts, with brandy, with Hennessy or even with Nutella. Either way, it is a wonderful concoction of soft Marie biscuits mixed with chocolate and is a crowd favorite loved by all.

We had the pleasure to interview Audrey, the traveller behind the blog Arpenter le chemin. Audrey lives in Canada, has travelled on five continents and fifty countries, and interviews, every year on March 8th, fellow female travellers-bloggers, to celebrate Women’s day. She shared her thoughts on solo female travelling.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, when did you start travelling alone? Why? What is your current situation?

I’m Audrey, I’m a French-Canadian translator-redactor-blogger. I grew up in France and then moved to Canada in 2014. I left alone for the first time when I was 18: I was joining an international worksite with other people (something we call woofing nowadays), but had my flight alone and spent a few days alone in Helsinki, before taking a bus to my destination which was several hundred kilometres away. It was impressing but exhilarating at the same time. The next year I did it again in Japan, then I went to study alone in New Zealand, and I wandered around…One thing leading to another, it became a habit, something obvious. I need to travel alone, even if I am now married, these are precious moments for me. I even had a van at one point, I used to travel with my dog, it was amazing! I have been travelling alone less these past years, but the flame is still there!

Among the countries you have visited, which is/are your favourite?  

Apart from Canada, where I now live, I have a lot of affection for Japan. It is where I first travelled alone, I find there a huge change of scenery and it is really, but really very easy to get around despite the language barrier. The second country that I love (because which traveller can limit herself to one country when asked this question?!) is Mexico. I only saw the Yucatán Peninsula, but I loved everything: the welcome, the Maya culture, the archaeological sites the beaches, the food…

Which country or travel experience really surprised you?

I would say Poland. Poland doesn't evoke a lot of cheerful images, I think we've all been left with the black and white pictures of the Second World War, the ruins of the communist era, we don't really imagine this country in the 21st century…I got a slap in the face when I stayed there, between Cracow and Wroclaw, everything was gorgeous, people were welcoming. It was a really beautiful surprise, a destination that doesn't have much to envy to Prague or Budapest if you want to go to Central Europe.

What does travelling alone bring you?

A lot of introspection and time for myself. It is probably paradoxical coming from someone who already works alone at home, but I need a lot of time alone, I am very introverted.

Travelling alone allows me to focus on the pleasure of the discovery and to focus better on what I’m living and seeing. So I am really far from the image of the solo traveller who meets a lot of people while travelling.

When one solo travels, one is under an injunction to say that, in fact, one is never really alone. To me, this is an issue. It's kind of like we only tolerate solo travellers if they're not really alone... But we have to get used to it: one can very well travel alone, by choice, and worse, enjoy it!

Has travelling changed your perception of yourself? How?

It allowed me to push some limits of course. There are sometimes limits that we cross by forcing ourselves: daring to go home at night alone, daring to make contact with people by couchsurfing... And then some limits are pushed back without even realizing it, as one accumulates experiences, because one gains in ease and confidence.

Do you have an experience or person you met who changed your way of perceiving yourself, or the others, or even the fact of travelling alone?

No particular experience but becoming aware of my privilege of being a white female was a big step in my experience as a traveller. As westerners, we all have the privilege of being able to travel period, and to have the freedom to travel abroad without any chaperon is a freedom that many women don’t have. Being a white female can also open doors in traditional male places abroad, and I try not to forget that: I have a huge chance to be able to travel alone.  

What would you say to people who say that traveling alone as a woman is dangerous?

MEH! Here is what I say. More seriously, there are dangerous places everywhere, even in France, even in Canada. People who try to dissuade women to travel alone are part of the problem. They probably think they are benevolent, but restricting women has never helped. I could probably tell them that they should devote their energy in making the world a place where women are not in danger. And then we will talk about it.

How could we change this idea that women shouldn't travel alone, and should go with someone?

By continuing to travel alone, of course! I believe a lot in showing the example. The more we will show women who solo travel, the more we make this way of travelling something normal.

What is your worst experience? How did you handle it? Did it have an impact on you, your behaviour or your life?

I am rather lucky when I travel, nothing really ever happened to me. When I travel alone, I prepare my travels a lot, because I tend to have anxiety. The worst thing that ever happened to me what waiting for four hours in a McDonald’s, somewhere lost in Copenhagen ‘suburbs, because my co-driver was very late!

What advice and tips would you give women who hesitate to travel alone?

You don’t have to cross your limits right away! Take your time, go to places you already know, and then slowly increase the dose of adventure. Start by leaving alone in your country, then into a neighbour country and so on…

Your best experience while travelling?

My solo tour of Europe, in train, for two months in the 2014 spring. It is silly, it is starting to get old, but nothing has surpassed it yet! The intense freedom of travelling by land in our beautiful Europe… I had some extraordinary encounters and saw fascinating countries.

Do you have a message for the women who will read you?

Try it, you won’t regret it!‍

ласкаво просимо в Україну !

I was born in Ukraine and I lived there until I was 9-10 years old. Since then, I go back to my home country almost every summer. I want to share with you the little things that, for me, make Ukraine take a permanent place in your heart. I don't think you fall in love with Ukraine the same way you fall in love with France for example. France knows how to bewitch and charm you with its perfumes, its sweetness, its elegance. But for me, Ukraine represents in comparison a rougher, more subtle beauty to which you need to get used to first, and once you have opened your heart to Ukraine, it will be impossible to get rid of it, it will contently stay there forever.

I will not hide the fact that the Ukrainian way of life is very different from the one in Western Europe, but the cultural shock you will most likely experience once you go there will be a good thing. You will discover a country rich and proud of its history and of what it has to offer. Ukraine is a window into the Eastern Europe, the one that is modernizing and rebuilding itself step by step. One of the cultural shocks may be due to the language as Ukrainian is a Slavonic language with a Cyrillic alphabet and therefore has no resemblance with the languages spoken in Western Europe. Personally, as someone who speaks Russian and Ukrainian, I find Ukrainian to be softer to the ear than Russian, although the latter is still a very beautiful language.

Let me give you some advice for when you visit my home country:

First, be careful on the roads. Ukrainian roads are... let's just say they are special. If you like the roller coaster feeling, you are in the right place! No, I'm joking. But it is true that Ukrainian roads are sometimes not very well maintained so it’s not uncommon to see huge holes in the middle of a highway. Also, it’s not uncommon to find yourself driving on a road that has no white lines to delimit the lanes. It’s for those two main reasons that some Ukrainians drive as if they were in Fast and Furious. But overall, please don't worry. Driving in Ukraine is not that bad. For example, you will often see on the roadside people selling fruits, vegetables, and other products that they grew themselves in their yard, and you can directly stop and judge the merchandise. My uncle used to buy the best watermelons just like that! Obviously, you will have to be careful and really pay attention to the quality of the product.

Secondly, the safety. Ukraine is overall quite safe, but beware of scams in big cities such as Kiev. Ukrainian scammers are often times not so subtle so you will probably see it coming a mile away (but it’s not always the case, of course). If I can give you another piece of advice, avoid walking alone at night because most of the acts of violence happen at that time.

Now I would like to present to you a very random list of things that make me proud to say "I am Ukrainian":

The People

A lot of people tend to believe that Ukrainians are welcoming but at the same time a little “cold” as they keep their distances. Indeed, Ukrainians know almost instinctively how to welcome people warmly and how to make them feel good. My grand mother and mother always made sure that I learned from the very young age how to properly welcome guests and how to be considerate. However, it is true that, despite their generous nature, Ukrainians tend to keep their distances as they are sometimes more withdrawn about certain things and to a certain extent. We all tend to be more or less on our guard about new things and Ukrainians are on their guard a lot. Personally, I think it's due to the fact that many of them have not had an easy life. But I promise you, once you manage to pass over that wall and reach the very heart of a Ukrainian, you will have the most caring and protective person by your side.

A Rare Variety of Landscapes

You have the city, you have the mountains, you have the sea, you have everything in Ukraine. For example, you have Carpathians, the mountain range that crosses the southwestern Ukraine. You can go hiking in summer, skiing in winter (several ski resorts are available) and it's a place where you can discover the most adorable and authentic villages of Ukraine.

Vorokhta village (https://www.ukraine-tourisme.com/page/vorokhta.php)

The Cities

Kiev, Myrhorod, Lviv, Odessa, Tchernihiv, Oujhorod... to name just a few. Ukraine has a real architectural richness and each city has its very own spirit and feature. For example, the historic center of Lviv is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find all kinds of art galleries, opera houses, and even ballet performances there.

The Metro of Kiev

The metro stations are always clean, with clear and precise indications. You want to know something surprising? The Arsenalnaya station is one of deepest stations in the world with 105.5 meters of depths. It takes about 5 minutes to get down to the bottom of the subway. When I was little, I had the impression of going down into the very center of earth and I was always very impatient to arrive at the end. I used to love watching the illuminated billboards passing by as I slowly went down the escalator.

The food

Varenyky, borsch, galoubtsi...you name it! Not to brag but my grandmother makes the best varenyky and pirachki of all Ukraine. But you will probably hear the same thing from 99% of Ukrainians x) My favorite ones are varenyky filled with cherry. You can basically make varenyky with everything and anything: you can fill this delicious dough with mashed potatoes, some cream cheese or even meat. The ukrainian food is mostly based on fat elements and as my grand mother says "The more, the better!" Of course, you can still eat healthy in Ukraine, but don't forget to treat yourself from time to time too.

(https://www.tasteatlas.com/varenyky)

The Picnics

So basically you have forests everywhere in Ukraine and people love to have a cozy little picnic with friends and family. I have these memories of being on so many picnics with my parents and their friends when I was little. It does not matter if it’s summer, autumn or spring, Ukrainians will have their picnic and there is nothing you can do about it. As you can see on the photo, it's either early spring or late autumn and here I am, in my colorful hat, laying out some plates for a picnic and you can tell that I take my job very seriously. No plate shall be displaced on my watch!

The Seasons

A fairy spring, a not too hot summer (although it becomes less and less true with the global warming), a harsh or mild winter with powder snow just like in the movies... As for the summer, when I am in Ukraine during this period, it always makes me think of the country's flag. The Ukrainian flag is made of two horizontal stripes: the first one blue and the second one yellow. The blue represents the sky and the yellow represents the wheat fields. I was lucky enough to see with my own eyes this same picture being recreated by nature and when you will see in front of you this bright and vibrant blue touching with the tips of its fingers the pure and elegant yellow, you will find it difficult to detach yourself from this view and you will suddenly understand why it is proudly represented on the national flag.

Nevertheless, what I prefer above all is the Ukrainian autumn. While in most countries autumn comes hand in hand with rain and strong wind, autumn in Ukraine looks and feels like paradise. The weather is soft, the wind still has some light notes of summer and you are surrounded by gold. Indeed, wherever you go, you will see trees and this is one of the things I like the most about Ukraine. So in autumn, when you take a walk in a park, you will glide on a ground covered with yellow and orange leaves that gracefully form a golden carpet. And if you raise your head, you will marvel at the golden reflection of the sunbeams on the uncountable leaves.

To continue this series of “Solo travelling: in discussion with”, we had the pleasure to interview Gabrielle, the traveller behind the blog Vagabondeuse. Gabrielle is a nurse, as well as an avid reader, went hiking in Guatemala, got soaked in a New Year Water Festival in Myanmar, or even surfed in Mexico.
Here are her tips and thoughts on solo female travelling.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, when did you start travelling alone? Why? What is your current situation?

My name is Gabrielle, I am a travel nurse in a travel health clinic and a blogger. I did my first solo travel when I was 18 years old, I was waiting to turn that age to be able to travel for the first time. I celebrated my birthday on May 22nd and two days later I was on the plane, much to my parents’ dismay! I left with a friend in Western Canada. The following year, I wanted to go to Europe with an old friend, who ended up cancelling a month before the departure. This is the moment where I had to choose between leaving alone or stopping myself from travelling because I had no one to go with. I didn’t hesitate for long. I think this is the moment in my life where I decided that I wouldn’t wait for anyone to travel!

Among the countries you have visited, which is/are your favourite?  

Ecuador was a big revelation. Ayampe (Ecuador), where I surf a lot, it is an amazing surfing spot! In Asia, if I only could choose one, it would be Malaysia.

Which country or travel experience really surprised you?

Malaysia, because I didn’t know what to expect at all. I had no preconceptions about this country. I arrived there during Ramadan, I didn’t know how my trip would go during this time. I was really impressed by the kindness of people and their welcoming. People are what touched me the most during my stay, the landscapes are gorgeous, but it is really their welcoming which marked me the most. India as well, but I wasn’t alone. I knew what people who go there love or hate, I knew it is a colourful, intense country, but I was still surprised, and still had cultural shock after cultural shock. Even after a month and a half, a lot of things were still surprising me. I would love to go back!

What does travelling alone bring you?

Since I have been travelling alone for a few years, there is less this “challenge” aspect, but I remember my first solo trip, when I came to the airport to go home, I thought “Wow, I really did all of that on my own?”. What a source of pride! It gave me confidence in myself, I was proud, and I still am, to have been able to manage everything by myself to this degree! Travelling solo also allows one to develop good adaptation skills, because we are on our own, so one learns to trust oneself.

Has travelling changed your perception of yourself? How?

Clearly it gave me confidence in myself, I am a lot more confident in my skills and capabilities. I think I can do (almost) everything I want!

Do you have an experience or person you met who changed your way of perceiving yourself, or the others, or even the fact of travelling alone?

I think it is a mix of all these experiences. When I left for Nepal on my own, which was three years ago now, I went solo hiking with a Nepalese guide. It is where I really saw all the wealth that travelling alone could bring me. I wasn’t staying in the popular accommodations, I was immersed in the local population. It’s not like a tour group, where the contact with locals isn’t the same at all. I had amazing discussions with locals, thanks to the guide who was translating, with women, with people who had suffered from the 2015 earthquake…This is really the trip which touched me, and it would have been very different if I hadn’t been on my own, I wouldn’t have had this privileged contact with the locals. I think that locals in general are less open to big tour groups than to solo travellers, which is understandable. I find that it brings me more benefit to have this contact with the local population, to see how they live and behave, I am more immersed. When we are alone, we need human contact, to communicate, to bond, something that we need a lot less when we travel accompanied.

What would you say to people who say that traveling alone as a woman is dangerous?

I think it depends on how one views life in general! Everything can be dangerous, according to some points of view. I can very well have an accident on the highway while I’m going to work. It’s the same thing when I travel, I can be confronted to problems, but like everywhere. There are risks, but if one prepares well, if one respects certain things, when it’s done right, meaning when one adapts, in terms of clothing or behaviour, I don’t think it is dangerous. For example, in Malaysia, there is a dress code to respect, and it was Ramadan, so I was the one that needed to adapt.

How could we change this idea that women shouldn't travel alone, and should go with someone?

I think we must talk about it! We need to spread the word, to show that others do it! This is what I try to do with my blog, and what you guys at NomadHer are trying to do with your app. I find it awful that some women still tell me that I am brave to travel solo, that they would never dare to do so. But why? You don’t want to travel because you’re on your own? Why wait for someone? To sum it up, I think we must talk about it as much as possible.

What is your worst experience? How did you handle it? Did it have an impact on you, your behaviour or your life?

My trip in Panama. I wouldn’t be able to explain what happened, but it wasn’t working! I had one problem and stroke of bad luck after the other, nothing was going well! I kept missing buses; I had a severe allergic reaction when I got stung by a spider; when I arrived I learnt that two tourists had gone missing and that the entire country was in turmoil, which was very stressing; I arrived in a street where I saw armed men fighting…Misadventures, every day! In the end I became anxious and didn’t enjoy the trip. It didn't change my way of travelling but after that I went to Costa Rica, where I had already been several times, and which I know well, because I needed a trip that would go well.

What advice and tips would you give women who hesitate to travel alone?

First thing, adapt. I travel to discover a new place, to experience and see new things and to immerse myself in a new culture. To me, this is the very essence of travelling, and I don’t really understand those who don’t try to fit their destination when they are abroad. Henceforth, a logical following is to adapt one’s clothes, don’t wear a mini skirt because it’s 35°C (95 °F) if you are in a country that would see it as provocative. When I hesitate about what is appropriate to wear or not to wear, I observe the local women. Then, preparation. I don’t really prepare my itineraries, but I prepare a lot the cultural aspects, I know in broad outlines what I want to see and do. I take the time to read and inform myself, and I’m a travel nurse, so I stay alert on what is happening in other countries. Even governments’ recommendations, which can be alarmist, give a peep of what is happening or what can be complicated to deal with in other countries.

Also, look confident, even when you're not! Having a map of the city wide open and a lost look can make you look vulnerable. When walking around, look like you know where you're going, even if you don't!

Finally, you must be able to listen to yourself and to say no. It sometimes happened to me to have an entire program planned for a day and to think, waking up in the morning, “I’m not feeling it, I don’t want to” and to do something else entirely. You must follow your rhythm and your instinct and must listen to yourself. Travelling must be enjoyable!

Your best experience while travelling?

I can’t choose one! Maybe Malaysia, because I met a lot of locals very curious to see me travelling alone, which allowed me to have a lot of contact with other women.  

Do you have a message for the women who will read you?

Don’t hesitate to go! If you want to do it, if the desire is there, you must listen to yourself and go! At least try, and don’t limit yourself because you’re on your own!

I visited Vienna, the capital of Austria, during a school trip, when I was 16 years old. It was actually a trip with my German class that was supposed to help us discover Austrian culture and make us practice our German. It did help me fall in love with the Austrian capital, however I am pretty sure that I skipped the whole “learning and improving your German skills”. Anyway. It was a one week journey. Our whole class took the bus and the trip took approximately 15 hours. Even if my tallest friends complained about the lack of space (Those were justified complaints. One of my friends was so annoyed that she just slept in the ally because she didn't have much room for her legs on her sit) the bus trip was pretty fun. We arrived early in the morning, at the very downtown of the city and we directly went to a café. We ate some toasts with jam and butter and drank some hot chocolate. Once we were sated, we were ready to explore Vienna and we spent the rest of the day visiting the heart of the city. By the end of the day we were exhausted but excited to meet our “families”. Indeed, we were divided by groups of four or five and we were placed into families that were used to welcome in their home students that were on a school trip. My friends and I were welcomed by a sweet sweet lady. She offered us two bedrooms with two beds in each. Those bedrooms were her children’s, but because they were all grown up now, she decided to sign up to be a host. She was adorable and every day, for every diner (we spend our lunch eating sandwiches as we visited the city) she cooked some Austrian specialty. One of the dishes that really stayed with me was a soup. Now, you must know that usually I hate soup. I can’t bear it. I can’t even look at it (so sorry for soup lovers out there). So the fact that this sweet lady managed to make me LOVE soup was a magical phenomenon that never occurred to me since. I am pretty sure that she systematically gave us the name of the dish while describing it in German, but even if I've tried really hard to keep those names in mind, when I googled some of them at the end of the trip, they ended up not existing. Because I did not remember the names correctly. Despite my hopes to memorize at least some German words. She was also genuinely nice because she always made sure to alter a dish or to make another one for my two vegetarian friends. I guess what I am trying to say is that Austrian people are pretty wholesome in general. Every time my friends and I got a chance to talk to some locals, at a bookshop or café, they were always friendly and welcoming.

Here are some of the spots we visited during our stay:

The RathausIt's the site of the Town Hall. Build in Neo-Gothic style, it is quite noticeable with its middle tower, the largest one, topped by the famous Rathausman statue.

Hundertwasserhaus and the Hundertwasser MuseumFriedensreich Hundertwasser (pseudonym of Friedrich Stowasser) was a famous Austrian-born visual artist and architect. He was known for his role in the field of environmental protection. He was against any “straight line”, any standardization. The artist’s work is unique, colorful and “nature and human friendly”. The buildings we visited, the museum and his house, were the most famous of his creations. Inside of the museum, we were able to see exhibitions of different artists and intellectuals. Nearby, there was a little place full of authentic Austrian souvenir boutiques and I saw the most beautiful tealight holders there.

Belvedere PalaceOther than being a fantastic museum, this place offers you a breathtaking view on a colorful garden. Inside, you can discover the works of Gustav Klimt, including his famous “The Kiss” painting.

Schonbrunn PalaceThis Baroque style palace is one of the main touristic attractions in Vienna. You can go inside and enjoy a tour through numerous sumptuous rooms that were once home to the Habsburgs. You can also enjoy the Schonbrunn Gardens, filled with artfully cut trees and uncountable varieties of flowers. I loved the Neptune’s fountain and the artificial Roman Ruin, they were quite mesmerizing.

The Prater and the Giant Ferris WheelFor the last day we could do whatever we wanted. Of course with my friends, after days of visiting historical sites, we could not resist the colorful sign of the Vienna Prater. I had so much fun discovering all the different roller coasters, autodroms and other adventurous attractions. My favorite one was the Free Fall Tower: I will never forget the incredible rush of adrenaline it gave me.

All I can say to conclude is that you will probably leave Vienna with the impression of having visited a city filled with colors and joy. Even if it rained for like 80% of the time, because it was early spring, I still have the impression of Vienna being full of light.