Written by women on the road

I am from India and I consider myself quite well travelled. My country, India can have an intimidating reputation of being unsafe. I won’t deny, some places can be a bit unsafe so it is partially true. However, India is HUGE – in terms of area, population, cultures, cuisine, and whatnot. So, to say that the whole of India is unsafe is unfair.

India is beautiful. It is so rich with some of the best food in the world. Every state is completely different and there is just so much to see. There are the mighty Himalayas in the North with snow-packed peaks and pristine rivers and the great Indian Ocean in the south with beautiful and untouched beaches. In the west, there is the Thar desert with extravagant palaces and colourful culture and in the east, we have the natural wonder, the Sundarbans. It also has a rich biodiversity, being the only country with both lions and tigers in the wild. I feel like India has something to offer for all types of travellers.

Here, I will recommend the top 5 destinations for solo female travellers to travel within India. These places are not only safe but are also frequented by other solo female travellers!

1. Rishikesh

I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Rishikesh in 2018 after I graduated from college. Rishikesh is a small town in the north of India. It lies on the foothills of the Himalayas. It is famous for having the Beatles Ashram where the members of the Beatles learned meditation. I feel like the city is still authentically very Indian with tons of noise, colours, and cows owning the streets but it is so popular among tourists that it is very accommodating and kind. You’ll meet other travellers and make friends! If you like adventure, you can do some river rafting in the Ganges, one of the holiest rivers of India, rappelling and what not! If you like yoga, it is the yoga capital of the world with some of the best yoga institutions in the world. If you like culture, you’re in for a treat, it is one of the holiest cities of India and you’ll discover little temples in the middle of a busy street. It is also HEAVEN for vegetarians and vegans. I had one of the best, and might I add, the cheapest meal of my life here!

(The residents of the cities who are actually very calm and well mannered)

(Geetanjali enjoying the view)

2. Goa

Goa is a small state on the western coastline of India. It was ruled by the Portuguese so it has a mix of Portuguese and Indian culture which is visible in its architecture, cuisine, and even language. Goa seems to have a reputation as the party capital of India. It often talked about for its parties by the beach with dirt-cheap alcohol. However, I feel that it is a lot more than that. There are so many unexplored little beaches to find. It is also quite relaxed with hippie vibes. There are so many flea markets to explore as well. Just don’t forget one thing, BARGAIN!

(Small beaches with adventure sports)

(Small trekking routes overlooking the sea)

3. Kerala

I personally feel that Kerala is a wonderful introduction to India, it is a lot chiller and hassle-free than the rest of the country. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India and here, the women are highly educated. Kochi, the largest city is crammed full of amazing history with its origins on the original Spice Route and cultural heritage from Portuguese, Chinese, Arab, Jewish, Dutch, British and Indian cultures. There are the wonderful backwaters with houseboats to get lost in at Allepy. You can even head to tea gardens in Munnar, which is a hill station. Also, since it is a coastal state, there are many beaches to explore.

(Houseboats and the backwaters)

(Tea Gardens in Munnar)

4. Mumbai

Alright, if you want a big chaotic Indian city experience, I highly recommend Mumbai. I have lived in this city for 7 years and I know it pretty well and according to me, it is the safest and the most liberal city in India. I am a big fan. Alright, there is the beach with the best and cheapest street food in the world, tons of museums to explore, beautiful British era architecture, so many places to shop and the best nightlife in the country. Moreover, the public transport system is very efficient and you’ll find a tuk-tuk/rikshaw even at 3 am in the night. The local trains, which are essentially the lifeline of the city are actually an adventure. The city is however filled with stark inequality, towering skyscrapers are neighbours to huge slum settlements. However, no matter what, everybody is so happy and very accommodating here. It also happens to be the Bollywood city. My favourite neighbourhood in the entire world, Colaba is here with trendy cafes, the gateway of India, the Taj hotel and the most colourful flea market.

(The resident of the city being pleased with the good weather and the sea)

(Skyline overlooking the Arabian sea at Marine Drive)

5. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

These islands caught the attention of the world when an American missionary was attacked by an uncontacted tribe in these islands. However, trust me, that is not why the islands should be famous. They are quite far from mainland India but are well connected through flights from Kolkata and Chennai. The capital city, Port Blair, is the quintessential Indian city – traffic, tons of people, and noise. However, just a small ferry ride away is the beautiful Havelock Island. The island is still quite untouched from the exploitation brought on by tourism even though it is now becoming a popular destination. It has the Radhanagar beach, white sand and blue waters, which was actually ranked as the 7th best beach in the world. There is an elephant beach where a swimming elephant Rajan used to live and swim of course! The locals are very kind and you’ll often see them waving and smiling at you while you travel around the small island. There are tons of bungalows by the beach where you can literally wake up to the sound of the ocean and the rainforest. On top of all this, it is incredibly cheap. However, the biggest plus for me, which could be a drawback for others, the internet connectivity here is incredibly poor. For me, it served as a digital detox.

(Small unexplored beach)

(Radhanagar Beach)

I do hope that you give India a chance. Trust me, it will become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Please feel free to reach out to me for any recommendations or help in planning.

Hello books lovers! And hello to all of you who, like me, wish they could travel, but can't because of the pandemic. Such a stick in the mud. So, to remediate that, I'm planning on taking a trip from my bedroom (or my living room, if I'm feeling adventurous). I am going to follow the footsteps of really inspiring solo female travellers, and explore Africa, Australia or Russia, wherever they take me. Here are five books, either memoirs from badass travellers or travel guides for women, for all of you stuck-at-home travellers, cautious adventurers, and thrill seekers!

• Wild, by Chery Strayed

A classic. Wild is Cheryl Strayed's memoir of her 1,100-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995 . At 22, Strayed was devastated by the death of her mother, while the rest of her family and her marriage fell apart. With nothing more to lose, no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she set off to hike 1,100 miles in the wilderness, from the Mojave Desert to a place on the Oregon-Washington border called Bridge of the Gods — and she did it it alone. This book is as much a recount of her adventure as it is a journey of self-discovery. It held the No. 1 spot on the Times’ best-seller list for seven weeks, was translated into 32 languages, and sold some 1.75 million copies.

• Somebody’s Heart is Burning: a woman wanderer in Africa, by Tanya Shaffer

Somebody's heart is burning is a collection of short stories, by Tanya Shaffer, an American woman who spent a year in Africa, fleeing a relationship. She began her journey as a work-camp volunteer in Ghana, and then visited Mali and East Africa. Eager have a genuine experience of the place rather than a tourist's perception, Shaffer worked as a volunteer, building schools and hospitals in remote villages in Ghana, Mali and East Africa. She shows the collision of African and North American cultures throughout her stories.

• Elsewhere: One Woman, One Rucksack, One Lifetime of Travel, by Rosita Boland

Rosita Boland spent the last three decades seeking new experiences and adventure on every part of the globe. In this serie of essays, she documents nine journeys from nine different moments in time. From a bus journey in Pakistan to Antarctica, through Australia,Thailand, Peru, Iceland, Bali, Japan or England, her book reveals how exploring the world, and those we meet along the way, can shape the course of a person’s life.

• Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1700 Miles of Australian Outback, by Robyn Davidson

Robyn Davidson recounts her 1977 epic journey across seventeen thousand miles of Australian desert and bush. She was 26, and accompanied by four camels and her dog Diggity, when she threw herself in this adventure. Her story was first published in the National Geographic, which had funded her journey and had photographer Rick Smolan document her journey, and then in her memoir. Her incredible adventure was adapted into a movie in 2013.

• A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe, by Faith Conlon

This book is a collection of travel stories from 29 different women. Marybeth discovers the dubious pleasures of desert camel-riding when she decides to follow an ancient Indian trading route. Faith, a black Buddhist nun, enters a deserted train station at 3:00 a.m. in a Thai village controlled by armed bandits. Ena negotiates with Russian police to visit the blue-domed city of Samarkand. In A Woman Alone, these women and others tell their funny, thrilling, occasionally terrifying, ultimately transformative stories of solo female travellers.

My friends and I are used to go to Paris during our free time. We live in small towns near the capital city and even if our cities do their best in order to entertain the local youth, we are inevitably drawn to the French capital. Thus, we became familiar with many spots of Paris: we visited the main touristic monuments several times, drank a coffee with a pain au chocolat (or chocolatine) in the famous cafés in order to perpetuate the good old cliché of Parisians, and took the metro until we could find our way with our eyes closed (well I admit that I may be exaggerating for this last point. Parisian metro system remains an enigma that few people have had the chance to solve. As soon as you think that you finally understood how it works, you are forced to face a new difficulty that came out of nowhere. In itself, Paris’ metro is like a giant Escape Game. Now that I think about it, you can probably put that in your list of peculiar things to do in Paris: solving the mystery of the Paris’ metro.) I am obviously aware of the fact that we are extraordinary lucky to be able to visit and to have access to all those activities. Thus, for this reason, I am reaching out to you, future tourist. If you already had the chance to discover the most famous places, you probably want to experience Paris differently now. If you are tired of following activities that seem to come straight out from a tourism brochure, let me introduce you some activities that my friends and I cherish. They are more original, less obvious of course, but just as entertaining. Those activities are perfect if you want to feel like a true Parisian student, but they are also lovely if you want to discover Paris from a more original angle.

After this looong introduction, here are some of those activities:

If you wish to expand your cultural knowledge

Obviously, I could not start without drawing your attention to the fact that Paris puts everything in place so that students and young people can expand their cultural knowledge as much as possible. You probably had this information on your much talked about tourist brochure, but I still want to insist on this point. Museums are free if you are under 26 (if you are a resident of the European Union) and you just have to show your student card in order to have free access to historic treasures hidden in the spacious galleries. In addition, if you have already visited The Louvre, The Musée d’Orsay and other major museums that have so much to offer, you can also enhance your cultural knowledge otherwise. My friends and I often go to exhibitions, and there is an infinite number of those all year long! So, before planning your trip or even during it, make sure to check out the exhibitions that might take place: there is something for everyone! Sometimes the prices for young people and students are reduced, sometimes they are not. In any case, most of the time, you will find an interesting and affordable exhibition quite easily.

Here is the site that my friends and I use in order to be updated about the latest exhibitions:

French version: https://www.parisinfo.com/ou-sortir-a-paris/expositions-a-paris

English version: https://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-do-in-paris/exhibitions-in-paris

Feel the wind and be amazed

Take a self-service electric scooter and discover Paris in the evening and at night. You can also do it during the day, but between the infernal traffic and the careless pedestrians (there is a lot of those), it is not ideal. So this is what I suggest: when there are only a few people walking by the Seine or the Saint Martin canal, take an electric scooter and let yourself be carried away by the charm of Paris as you glide among the lights reflecting in the dark shivering water. You have to pay to use self-service electric scooters (unfortunately), but it is worth to do once or twice during your stay. In order to be able to use them, you will need to download an app into your mobile phone. Also, and it is very important, make sure to acquaint yourself with the rules of use before setting off at full speed without looking back! The city of Paris has put in place some rules that must be respected for the safety of all. The prices depend on the brands.

Here you can find some websites that will enable you to compare different brands and check the terms of use:

French version:  https://trottinette-electrique-adulte.com/trottinette-electrique-paris/

English version:

http://blog.lodgis.com/en/electric-scooters-in-paris/

http://plug-inn.fr/uncategorized/how-to-use-the-electric-scooters-scattered-around-paris/

Meet people and enjoy yourself (without breaking the bank. We are students, remember?)

You may have already met a few people during your visit, why don’t you invite them to dance and take a drink in one of the bars nicely located by the Seine or by the Saint Martin canal? Of course, there are many bars and nightclubs in Paris and you will easily see their names appear in your tourist brochure, but if you want to dance and enjoy a beautiful view at the same time and if you want to have fun while breathing in the fresh air, there is nothing better than a small cocktail break at an affordable price in one of the bars that offers a magnificent view on the water. Right now I am thinking about the Ourcq Bar on the Quai de La Loire in the 19th district. This bar is appreciated by young people especially for its good atmosphere and the low prices.

Check out those links that present non-exhaustive lists of bars that students in Paris could easily recommend:

https://www.french.hostelworld.com/blog/meilleurs-bars-paris/

https://www.timeout.fr/paris/bar/bar-sympas-pas-cher

Nothing will ever compare to the beauty of nature

Paris overflows with parks and other lovely areas where nature rules. Those places offer you the chance to take a peaceful walk and enjoy a splendid view. I'm thinking in particular of the Champs de Mars, where you can sit in the freshly mowed grass and contemplate the magnificent Eiffel Tower, or even the Jardin de Luxembourg, where you will be able to enjoy the best walk of your life.

But other parks also offer you an idyllic setting for a good picnic, for example. My friends and I like to find a nice little green spot in the following parks: Buttes-Chaumont park, Montsouris park, Monceau park… So grab a baguette, some fresh cheese, even buy a good pain au chocolat (or chocolatine), put yourself in the shade of a large tree and breathe in the soft Parisian air (but do not breathe in too much. Pollution, remember?).

Unusual and we love it!

Here are our two favorite unusual places. I will only vaguely describe them: I will not say much in order to leave some surprise and wonder effect but I will say enough in order to make you curious and make you want to learn more about those places.

→59 Rivoli https://www.59rivoli.org/accueil/

This place seems to come to life as soon as you step inside. The explosion of colors, of senses, of perceptions… All of this will surprise you at first but let yourself get into this universe and it will be an extraordinary journey, I promise.

→La Boutique sans argent https://laboutiquesansargent.org/

With a triple goal, social, environmental and civic, this shop is like a little corner of paradise in a chaotic Paris. You can either "buy" (I do not even know if we can use the word since you do not have to pay) or leave something there, be it a garment, an accessory or some books. In addition, if you are lucky enough, you can participate in one of the workshops or classes provided by the store. Besides being an absolutely brilliant concept, you will meet friendly and welcoming people at this shop. And as a bonus? You can actually drink some coffee or tea there (ok, I may have said too much but this place is so neat that I could not help it)

It is usually great to be a vegetarian/vegan. Not only is it good for the environment but also for your health! However, I have often found myself cursing my diet while travelling because it can be incredibly hard and frustrating sometimes. Ok, not sometimes. Most of the time. I fall into this very awkward definition of vegetarian. I eat dairy but I don’t eat eggs when it is obviously eggs. I will devour a cake or brownie or a sauce even if it has eggs without hesitating because the egg is hidden and you can’t taste it. You might think I am crazy but almost every vegetarian in India falls in this category.

So, from years of experience of travelling as a vegetarian, I have compiled the ultimate guide to travelling as a vegetarian/vegan!

PRE-TRAVEL TIPS

• Pre-Book your meals

Most airlines offer vegetarian/vegan/nut-free/lactose-free/gluten-free meal options. It is quite commendable how up to date they stay with the new trends considering that they change quite often! In fact, they have a special meal specifically designed for vegetarians like me who come from India and are used to harassing their taste buds with extreme spices and: it’s called “Hindu meal.” You can book your meal while buying your ticket, the portal usually always gives the option and that too, free of cost! The cherry on top is the fact that people with special meals are served first on the flight. If your flight isn’t very long and won’t serve meals, be smart and pack a snack which makes you happy.

• Pack snacks and pre-made meals

Be sure to pack pre-made meals and snacks of your choice before travelling. It may sound unnecessary but, in some places, especially remote, it can be really difficult to find an option for you. During a long bus ride, you may stop at a roadside restaurant with only one dish in the menu: meat probably served with a side of white rice. Unless you want to enjoy the extreme flavours of white rice, pack a snack just in case.

• Learn the definition of vegetarian/vegan all over the world

The definition varies greatly all over the world. In India for instance, vegetarian means no meat, eggs or fish. But in Vietnam, vegetarian/vegan is anything without meat even if the sauce or broth is meat-based. In Italy, vegetarian means that you can eat fish! It is also good to learn basic food names like for instance, Poulet is chicken in French. If I am at a restaurant or supermarket, I can just scan the menu or ingredients for something without Poulet. It is also good to learn the word ‘without’ in the language.

• Research about the country’s cuisine beforehand

There are many cuisines which have a lot of vegan options by default. Like the heavenly samosa. It is vegan! Just knowing that it makes it easier for you to order something. It is also great to know what some dishes are made of. For instance, I know that a galette in France is eaten with eggs and meat. I can simply ask for it sans oeufs et viande to create my own vegetarian meal. Yes, if you are in France, people do treat it as blasphemy but a girl has got to eat.

TIPS

• Keep an open mind

This is something you need to, unfortunately, be prepared of. Not all cuisines are vegetarian/vegan friendly or adaptable. I take pride in the fact that I am somebody who will eat anything as long as it doesn’t have meat. Be prepared to visit the same restaurant and eat the same dish again and again.

• Discover local cuisines

I know that our palettes tend to get used to the same flavours and ingredients. I come from India, a country regarded for its curries and spicy food. When I went to Europe for the first time I complained about the bland food and lack of flavour. Then I complained about missing the burning sensation in my mouth which only spices can bring. But after a few days, it grew on me and I discovered many delightful things like the bread all over!

• Be nice and patient

Usually, for servers in restaurants, a vegetarian/vegan person is essentially their worst nightmare. Especially when you don’t speak the same language. Be nice and patient and understand that it is not logical for some people. There is no need to get mad because they can add chicken to your pasta without your knowledge. HAHA kidding. But it is not their fault because it is a different culture where it may not be logical to not consume meat. If possible, find somebody who speaks your language and communicate exactly what you want to them.

• Reach out to vegetarian/vegan communities

There are numerous Facebook groups, vegan events etc in each city. Not just that, check out Instagram and Facebook pages of active vegetarian/vegan in each city and see what they recommend in terms of restaurant and just general tips. You can even reach out to locals and the place wherever you are staying – Airbnb, hotel or couch surfing.

• Stay where you can cook

If you are planning to spend a good amount of time in someplace, it is better to get an accommodation with a kitchen. This will give you the freedom and the flexibility to eat whatever you please. Most Airbnbs come equipped with one and with essentials. Even some hostels have kitchens and it is a great place to socialise and meet other people.

• Find a Farmers Market

These are quite abundant all across Europe, even in big cities. It is a great place to not only find fresh fruits and vegetables but also local produce which isn’t available everywhere. The first time I tried raspberries was actually in England. It may sound ridiculous to some that somebody somewhere in the world had never tried something as basic as a raspberry but they are not widely available.

• Read the ingredients

It is quite simple to just read the ingredients. Especially when it comes to junk food. Marshmallows are usually vegan in middle eastern countries but in Europe and America, they contain gelatine. Same with Pringles. They are vegan in Europe but not in Asia.

APPS WHICH WE RECOMMEND:

A great way to make your life easier is by using apps! Here are the apps we recommend:

• Google translate – If you don’t speak the language, it is advisable to have the offline google translate just in case. It will help you decipher ingredient lists and menus.

• Yelp – There are veggie-friendly restaurants on Yelp as well!

• Zomato – wherever it is available, this is my favourite app for finding food. It is location-based and has filters to exactly find what you are looking for. It also has reviews from other users.

• Happy cow – The app (not free) and the website is the best way to find vegan food. It is also available in all 183 countries.

MOST VEGGIE FRIENDLY CUISINES

• Indian

No surprise here but I promise I am not biased. About 40% of India’s population is vegetarian so they have essentially perfected the veggie-friendly cuisine. In a menu, there are as many vegetarian options as non-vegetarian options. Many things also happen to be vegan by default like dal (lentil curry), chana masala (chickpea curry), and almost all the street food. My personal favourite dish of all time is dosa and it is vegan!

• Ethiopian

I was sleeping on Ethiopian food for far too long. I discovered it in New York City and I haven’t stopped raving about it since. A lot of their dishes are vegan because many people in Ethiopia fast and when they fast, they only eat vegan food. It is also flavourful and comes with wonderful bread. My favourite dish is Yetsom beyaynetu which is a vegan fasting platter. But beware, it is extremely filling.

• Middle Eastern

Which vegan doesn’t love hummus? It is smooth and perfect and honestly, sometimes superior to butter itself. There are also plenty of other things like tabbouleh salad and baba ganoush. And falafel! They are served all over as street food and is often found all over the world in wraps of pita bread with hummus.

• Mexican

The base of Mexican food – beans, corn, tortilla, salsa, and guacamole are all vegan! Even if you end up at a chain like Chipotle or Taco Bell, or a proper restaurant, it is quite easy to substitute things to make it veggie-friendly.

• Thai

Thai food offers many vegetarian options. Historically, it is made with very light use of dairy, relying more on coconut milk to use as a base of delicious soups and curries. They also eat a lot of tofu and vegetables. They also have a lot of choices for folks who are gluten-free since noodles in Thai cuisine tend to be made of rice. The most well-known Thai dish of all time, Pad Thai, can actually be made vegan very easily.

Being an exchange student: a 101 lesson.  A few years ago, I had the chance to go for a student exchange in King's College London (U.K.). And I had the best time of my life!  Here are the tips and tricks I learnt from this experience, and that I wished I had gotten at the time!

Before leaving:

• Plan your stay. Check out the city's areas and neighborhood, and find out which are not safe or recommended. You'll probably go out, party and see friends a lot, so take into account that you might often come home late at night. Study the transport system, how it is organised and works, and find out where it is located around your accomodation.

• Check out the countries' laws and tradition: how are women expected to behave? What is deemed appropriate and not ? How are they treated? Do they have restrictions? Find some feedback around you or on the internet, and prepare yourself.
• List what you want to do, see, eat and try in the city. It's important to prepare your trip, and not arrive in this foreign city you'll be living in for months without having a single idea of what to do. You might miss out. Also, it will give you ideas for those days where you just don’t know what to do with yourself. So get a map, figure out what the city has to offer, (and PLEASE book tickets in advance, apparently you can't just show up at a theatre or representation just because you suddendly discovered it!). BUT leave yourself some free time. The best way to visit a city or a country is also to wander around and get lost!
• Prepare yourself in case of homesickeness. I'm not saying you have to brace for it, because you will probably have the time of your life,  but some people can miss home and their family hard when separated. If you know/fear you will, here is what I did : take stuff that remind you of home, and find out what makes you feel better, like a routine.  Also know that some countries are really advanced on subjects such as mental health. We were litteraly given a guidebook on how to overcome homesickness, especially during winter (where it gets dark at 3pm and has a real impact on people's mood)!

During your stay:

• Start on the right foot and go to the exchange students welcome events. Especially when you arrive, before classes start: they usually have an exchange students welcome - in London, we had an entire Welcome Week, full of activities, conferences, games and presentations, where I met some of my current bestfriends!

• Go to classes ! You might discover subjects or way to approach them you wouldn't even have think of. BUT don't stress too much about them, you're also there to enjoy this new country and environment. A good tip that I learnt too late: most of the students I met there had applied for classes that didn't require a final exam, but rather homework. One even had a class about the museums of the city, and only had to write a "discovery journal" for her final grade!

• Take advantage of everything your university has to offer. Sign up in its societies and clubs : enroll in the local sports team (finnish hobby horsing, cricket, hockey etc), finally start this sport class you always wanted to try, or get into that Harry Potter society! Learn a new language! It's the best way to meet people. Especially if your country is drastically different on feminist/minorities subjects : your university might have a feminist society or an all-woman sport team for example. On the contrary, if your host country is drastic regarding women, find out what other local female students do.

• Avoid staying with people from the same country as you or with the friends you came with. You are there to meet new people that you wouldn't meet otherwise. So DON'T BE A FRENCH: avoid staying in groups and not mingling with the population. I've seen that way too much in London, where I met huge amount of French students who would do everything together and not meet anyone else. You'll look arrogant and that won't bring you any intercultural food, which you need. That's how you keep an open mind and discover other cultures and mindsets.

• Immerge yourself in this new culture : watch the news on locals tv channels, shop in local supermarkets, discover news tvshows on the local Netflix, go to museum and bookshops, walk around to see the architecture and the city's plan ...and always always remember that there, YOU are the foreigner! So adapt yourself, watch out for behaviors that are considered polite/normal/rude and adopt them -and, why not, keep them even once you're back home!

• Engage with locals! Ask your roomates, your classemates, professors or this nice waiter about the country, the culture, a specific fact or their tips! People are generally proud of their country, and thus always happy to help a foreigner discover it. You get to meet people, get tips and tricks AND probably befriend them! So PLEASE: never ever shy away from going to people and from talking to them! You'll regret it later and feel like you've missed out.

Remind yourself : this is a unique opportunity. You're a student, going living abroad without any responsabilities (apart from texting and reassuring your parents back home that no, you haven't been partying to hard). Embrace it : try everything! Either Marmite in England, barbecue in Australia, tacos Friday in Norway or tango in Argentina!

We had the honour to interview Emilie, the (wonder) woman behind the blog Globe-trottine, to get her insights on solo female travelling. Emilie is a French woman from Poitiers, who has lived in Paris, London and Manila.  

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

I started to travel alone about a decade ago: I was then living and working in Manila, in the Philippines (I lived there for four months). My stay arriving to an end without having had any real time to visit, and since none of my friends or acquaintances were available, I decided in a last-minute decision to go visit an island on my own, even if I was scared to go alone. Like in a movie, I packed my backpack that very morning and took the first plane. And it went really well! I realised I could very well travel alone, even just for a weekend. Today, I only travel in my free time for my pleasure, not for work.

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

I fell in love with the Philippines, for the breath-taking landscapes but especially for the people. The Filipinos are extraordinarily kind people. Their warmth towards strangers and foreigners is just incredible. Even among the poor population, who live in slums, people are still welcoming and smiling. My second crush are the British Isles. It is not as far away, not as exotic, but it is a country that touches me since my teenagerhood, where I have always felt good, during every of my trip. I go there at least once a year. One does not think of taking vacations in Great Britain, because it rains, and because London really is the main city, but the entire country deserves to be visited, there are some magnificent places! I really hope Brexit won’t stop me from going there!

Which country or travel experience really surprised you?

Lapland: I went to the north of Finland, where I was for three days, and was expecting large areas of pristine snow but not at all the feeling of freedom I felt. I felt free like I had never felt before, I wanted to run and scream in the middle of nowhere -which would not have bothered anyone, I was only surrounded by snow! This feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, on the other side of the world, and of feeling like in a cocoon, was incredible.

What does travelling alone bring you?

I travel either alone or with my girlfriends. Actually, I recently realised that when I travel with a guy, I put up barriers all on my own. Whenever I travel with a guy (either a friend or boyfriend), I have this tendency to let myself be guided, to let him drive, to let him take the lead and decide where we will stop and thus a tendency to minimize what I want. This is completely stupid! In consequence, because I feel less free, when I come home I feel like I missed out on things, like I didn’t do everything I wanted because I didn’t dare say what I wanted to do or did not enjoy it as much as I could have. This is really a shame that still today we have this conception that, with a guy, it is him who decides, him who is in charge, and him who will take care of potential issues!

Whereas with a girlfriend, I feel a lot more on equal terms. I have less scruples or hesitations to compromise on things or do things each on our own. This sort of conditioning is really weird, especially that in my day to day life I am not shy or holding back with guys! Maybe today’s current 20-year-old women feel this a lot less, or are more aware of it with the actual feminists’ movements?

Has travelling changed your perception of yourself? How?

Yes, completely! I am someone rather scared, I love to stay at home. Often in my circle, whenever I say that I am going abroad alone, people are disturbed, they ask me how I do it, or if I don’t feel lonely. First of all, I am not daring or reckless. I am no more likely to get hit by a car in the streets in Sweden or Canada than I am in Poitiers or Paris! And I travel in western countries, I don’t take any particular risks, it is not like I am trekking in some extreme mountains or like I am exploring the Amazonia jungle!

Second, I don’t get bored or lonely, one meets a lot of people when travelling! Actually, I don’t behave the same way when I travel than in my normal daily life. I am a lot more open, and I trust people a lot more.

You want to meet people so bad when you are abroad, that might be why you are likely to be less wary, you want to know people. This is maybe naive, but these are things you can feel, I don’t trust everyone either obviously. In comparison, back at home I would not take the time to discuss with everyone I cross path with, if someone calls me out, I will just wonder what they want with me and be suspicious. So you actually meet more people when you are abroad!

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?

It is done through a lot of encounters and small experiences. To me, it is always a little challenge to go alone, but less now because I am more used to it and I have built my shell. When I travel alone, I always feel more apprehensive than when I am accompanied, because I wonder if I will meet people, if they will be nice etc. And yes, every time, people see you, they smile, they come talk to you, and when you are having an issue, as it happened to me in Scotland, they come help you. In Scotland, I don’t think I ever walked alone on the side of the road more than 10mn without having someone pulling over and offering me a ride, even if it was not their initial route! It is all of that that makes one think that one can trust people, that if one has a problem, there will always be someone to come and offer a hand.

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

That there is no more risk of something happening to us in the streets of Krakow than in the streets of Paris or Glasgow. Obviously, you need common sense, you cannot adventure yourself in places you wouldn’t in your daily life at home. You must trust your instincts: does this feel safe and ok or not? And if you have the slightest doubt, avoid it altogether. One can have troubles, whatever the country, whether one is alone or not, but I think there will always be someone to help. One must be careful of the country one plans to go, look out for signs: there are some countries where travelling alone as a woman is not advised, or not as much as in other countries. One must plan, prepare, one cannot go somewhere without having the slightest idea of what to expect!

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

I think it is the women especially that we must convince, and not necessarily the men. As I was saying earlier, when I travel with a guy, I tend to put up barriers myself, so I think it is especially something in our own mindset that we need to change. We must not allow ourselves to be polluted by outside opinions, otherwise we end up not allowing ourselves to do certain things, or we limit ourselves. We make the choice to listen to those around us and stay in our little shell and tell ourselves that we cannot do it, or we see the other women around us who have done it and we realize that we are perfectly capable of doing it. Even the ones who are scared or who don’t feel capable of it!

Also, there is no need to leave for the other side of the world to show ourselves we are capable of travelling alone, even taking three days in another city or a neighbour country is enough to see that YES, we can travel alone, we are capable of handling it and actually handling it very well! It is a groundwork, a work of mindset, made by women for themselves and for others.

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

I went for a weekend in the mountains in Philippines, during the monsoon season, and the torrential rains had created landslides. I found myself stuck in a hamlet in the middle of nowhere, the road literally cut and buried under rocks, and I needed to get a bus in the valley to go home and work the next day! But, as it turned out there was always a local coming to my help! We could not communicate together, I not speaking their language and them mine. Still, some locals welcomed me to their house, and went searching for the neighbour who owned a motorcycle, who took me further away until we got stuck by another landslide. Someone else came with a truck and dropped me further away etc…Every time, someone came to my rescue and helped me get closer to the bus stop, which I took in time! So we can get lost, we can have troubles, but there is always someone to help. It really gives faith in humanity. And then, the whole incident didn’t traumatize me, nothing serious happened, and it didn’t change my opinion on travelling alone as getting my bag stolen would have.

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

Being a big coward, it reassures me to organise and plan things ahead, but obviously I leave space for the unexpected. I lay the groundwork: I know where my plane lands, where my accommodation is located, which bus to take to get there, and, overall, I try to familiarize myself with the city’s map and to have landmarks. Of course, there are always some failures, you discover a big slope where you were not expecting it! But it buys me time and allows me to feel more at ease when I arrive. I know where I am getting, and I avoid potential issues. Also, I think that to project oneself and to plan helps take the decision to leave.

Your best experience while travelling?

There are so many, that is why one travels and keeps doing it, why one wants to travel! One in particular: last year I went to the Orkney Islands (north of Scotland), and to get there you take the ferry. I met and befriended a woman during the crossing, who spontaneously suggested that she and her husband drop me off directly at my hotel rather than letting me take the shuttle once we would arrive. Afterwards, we kept in touch and I met her and her husband throughout my week there, at the pub or my place. And when my stay came to an end, they both insisted to drop me off at the ferry, even if they had a party planned that same evening! We kept in touch, we send each other gifts at Christmas, and they were supposed to come and visit me this year. It is not always the most obvious or spectacular things that make a trip, but also encounters like these! Not even a day there and I had already made friends!

Do you have a message to women who will read you?

Dare to do it, I am the perfect example! Even being scared, every woman can travel alone! You don’t need to leave for the other side of the globe to prove yourself you can do it. Even if it is not far away and for a short amount of time, go wherever you want, for as long as you want! You will find a freedom that you will never find when travelling with other people. To travel alone is to feel that incredible freedom and to feel exhilarated, when you realise you can do it!

If you are over 20 years old, If you go into college, If you work for company or if you retire,   You face the moment like this : “Oh, please let me alone! Don’t bother me anymore. I’m so sick of everything around! I have no idea what I can do!”  This is so natural feeling which everyone goes through at least once in a lifetime. The point is, When This thought comes in our mind, We easily become fragile and we fall into a deep hole which looks endless and no exit.  

Then, You are panic. You have no idea what you can do. Here is the easiest way you can get out of the situation : Go out and start your own trip. If I say this, maybe you could ask me, what for? why I have to do that? If you give me a minute, Let me show you what you earn from your solo trip.

The first You earn: 100% understanding about there is so many various ways to live our life

 Please look around for a moment. You can see your family, friends and colleagues. Again, Look at them closely. Do you notice? Yes, They are living their life just same as you do. Because you choose them to hang out with. In the life you live, People think as you do, People works as you work. Instinctively, we gather people who is similar to us. Because It makes us feel comfortable. But people grow through experience when they meet new people and circumstance. And that is possible when you go for your solo trip. When you start to travel, You realize many people in the world actually live those lives which you think it is only possible just on TV or a book. The fact is you are the one who is just not included in these lives. You have desire to explore new life style and apply it in your life and want to make it better. Then, Solo trip is the best chance to try it.

The Second thing You earn: You don’t step back anymore when you meet stranger. Because You’re the one to come first!

 When you start solo trip, You totally understand situation which there is no one to rely on. It doesn’t take a long time to figure out the fact that what would happen during the trip totally depends on you. If you don’t know how to take a bus or how to book a restaurant, You are the one who are in trouble. So, This makes you jump into your life which you just let go before. So Eventually, You find the truth – You can create your own life with your hand if you have a will. Solo trip gives you a chance to do experiment what will happen when you hold your horse about your life. You are not a bystander of your life anymore.

The third thing You earn: People who listen their inner voice through trip doesn’t feel lonely

 Going to solo trip means that you are ready to be independent. For a long time, We are belong to family, school, company. So, At first, when you are apart from them, You feel alone. Maybe you want to go back to your cozy home. But Let’s think about it. Sometimes there is a moment that you thought no one can’t understand you and this makes you disappointed. But You have to face the truth. They are not you. So It is so natural they can’t fully understand you. For me, It took long time to realise that I need to face the truth. You would admit this : You are the only one who can understand yourself. So You have to be the one who know much about you. People who know about themselves well don’t feel lonely. Because they spend enough time to think who they are through solo trip.

This is just at least things you get through solo trip. That means more opportunity is waiting for you.   Do you need more story to convince you? Please visit NomadHer site & app. All NomadHers in the world is waiting to be your trip mate!

Study, eat, sleep, hang out, that makes up a student’s entire routine, including mine just a few months ago. Being a student in Europe, my family and friends were constantly asking about my travels, where I have been and where I am planning to go next.

As an avid traveller, I realize that as a student, I have the perfect opportunity to make the most of my time by exploring as many places as possible. I managed to travel to almost 10 countries in only a few months, and yes, you can do it too! Here are some tips and tricks I amassed throughout my travelling journey, comprehensively helping students to travel with the right people, at the right time, and at the right price!

Tip 1: Find a time and place

I constantly check on my classes schedule to see where I can fit in a short trip over a long weekend, or a long trip over longer breaks. I match these schedules and check for cheap flights, trains, or buses which will take me anywhere, anyplace is worth visiting! I always make sure to plan in advance to secure the cheapest transportation fees.

Tip 2: Find friends or travel alone!

Traveling with friends is always fun, never short of laughter and joy, but often times, travelling alone satisfies me in a different way, and I always decide this before I start planning the trip.

Tip 3: Plan, plan, plan

There is so much information about traveling online right now, and travel websites are my best friends! I usually find the cheapest accommodation with access to the hot spots, have a list of places I want to visit and the food I want to try out. I do not have to strictly stick to the itinerary, but I want to make sure that I try out as many things as possible in the short amount of time I have. Make a list of the things you want to see, do, or try, but remember it's ok not to finish it! Don’t pressure and stress yourself in doing everything, you are also there to enjoy it ! Getting lost and wandering can also lead to great discoveries you would not have think of otherwise. It is also important to have a basic understanding of the public transportation system to save money.

Tip 4: Ask for student discounts

Once at the destination, I always ask if they have student discounts, most places in Europe only need to see a student ID to give discounts! I usually scour websites to find the best student travel deals as well.

Tip 5: Talk to locals

I always push myself out of my comfort zone and try to talk to locals at the restaurant, on public transportations, at the park, mall, store, or really anywhere! They have the best insights and information about their home city, and they know the best places to go, complete with tips I need to get the best deals there!

Last but not least, Tip 6: Enjoy!

Most importantly, I learn to enjoy myself in all kinds of situations. I often find myself lost, cold, hungry, and confused, and I enjoy every single moment! Living like a local, getting to know the street food, language, and entertainment truly pays off!

The minute I land at a new place, I always feel that thrill crawling up my spine, the anticipation and excitement of travelling bubbling up my chest. Stepping outside, one of the first things I always notice is the people, what they look like, how they are dressed, the way they talk, and many more unique characteristics visible in just a glance. It’s just amazing how the differences between my culture and this strange one appear so starkly. I always become infatuated with the language, food, clothing, and most of all, the queer little habits only noticeable through interaction. I have visited countries where the left hand is considered impolite, where shaking your head means yes, and chicken feet are considered a delicacy.

In Japan, for example, I was dining with locals when a young man sitting next to me burped loudly. I laughed, thinking it was a joke, but everyone stared at me, and one of them was kind enough to explain that burping shows appreciation for the chef’s cooking. I still shake my head and laugh at this experience until today, always in awe of how strange we find small foreign habits.

After a while, however, all of this strangeness gets old, and this is when culture shock comes in. I become frustrated with the language barrier, as I can’t even get orders right. I miss my comfort foods, having enough of eating strange things over and over again. I never get the transportation system right, I walk on the wrong side of the road, I keep getting stared at, and I always feel uncomfortable. Basically, I’m tired of always feeling left out and not understanding what is happening around me. Culture shock comes at random times, and I start to have thoughts about coming home. Then I always remind myself why I travel in the first place. The culture is why traveling is priceless, the experience of newness, stepping into a world I have never seen before. I have the privilege of meeting people behaving in a completely different way from my neighbors back home, even though really, we do not live so far apart. At this stage, I need to adopt a childlike mindset, one that never gets tired of exploring. I take pride in becoming the stranger, and I try to see positive things in the local habits. I might even adopt a few quirks that actually fit my lifestyle.

Slowly but steadily, I adapt, I socialize, and I learn, relentlessly. I favor my right hand, I try burping, I shake my head, and I eat chicken feet at the local diner! That’s the thing about culture shock, it allows me to see myself from a different perspective, and I learn more about myself in a few days than I would in a year back home. I can become a child again, in an entirely different place!

The next thing I know, I am actually enjoying myself. I survived, and I love it. I have been through this over and over again, and I cannot wait for the next time I can travel to a new place and experience culture shock yet again.