I love planning my vacations and I did plan them to fit my monthly visit from mother nature. It’s no joke but my period ALWAYS decides to show itself while I am on vacation. EVERY-FREAKING-TIME. When I was 14, I went skiing for the first time (no, this isn’t about skiing and I can’t ski at all, even now!). I wore a pristine white outfit to match the surroundings. It was indeed beautiful. But, later on, I started feeling a bit achy and wondered, what is happening? Until somebody hushed in my ears that there was something on my pants. Needless to say, not a lot of skiing happened and my time was spent sitting in a corner and crying out of Fomo. But, around 8 years later, I have learned to live and travel with them with no discomfort. Here, I will share with you the ultimate guide of traveling with the crimson wave!

Does travelling affect your period?

It is quite common for us ladies not to have our period or experience delays while travelling. Normally, this tends to send us in a state of panic but fear not! Ultimate control of our period cycle resides with the hormones secreted by hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Well, to explain it simply, any change in our emotional or physical health which includes lack of sleep, change in diet or stress can affect our hormonal balance which leads to irregular period. The two most important hormones which control and determine our cycle are: cortisol and melatonin and they are directly related to travel and stress. When the level of these hormones changes, it affects the period, making it come earlier or later than expected. Things like early flights, jetlag, different time zones, and the added stress affect these hormones.

What do I do if I don’t get my period on a vacation?

There is no need to panic! This is very common. But, if your period is delayed by a few weeks and there is a chance that you could be pregnant, it is wise to take a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are readily available all over the world. But, if your period is delayed and there is no chance of you being pregnant, there is nothing to worry about, it is just due to hormonal changes experienced while travelling. It is advisable to check with your doctor after you skip 2 of your cycles.

What are some tips for travelling with the period?

1. Track your period
   This is not just a tip for travelling but for life in general. Nowadays, I use the app “Flo” to track my period. It has the data of my period for over 3+ years and it uses that to accurately predict my next period. There is usually a margin of +/- 1 day in my case. This has really changed the way I travel. Before, there was always a surprise to see the crime scene in my pants. Now, if I am crying for no reason and feeling irritated and snappy, I can just check the app and realise that no wonder I was feeling like that. I can also stock up on my guilty pleasure foods – chips, cookies, and chocolate before. In addition to predicting your period cycle, it even gives you health insights and forums to discuss anonymously with others.
   Apps recommended – Flo, Period Calendar, Clue
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2. Birth Control methods
   There are several hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods that can be used to either better plan and predict your period or even avoid them altogether. Avoiding your period is usually not recommended but in some cases like when you have to do something physically straining like hiking, walking, snorkeling, etc and if you have a lot of period-related cramps and pain, it is advisable to skip it for a month altogether. I have tried it myself when I went on a vacation with a beach and swimming and I had no problems. In fact, an added advantage of being on birth control pills is virtually painless period and that is very valuable for a girl like me with PCOS.
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3. Workout and Eat Well
   The first thing which I hear at every Gynaecologist visit is – do light exercise on your period. Just a little bit of yoga or stretching can relieve cramps and period pain. Eating a diet that replenishes your body like leafy green vegetables, beans, and lentils and nuts, which are rich in iron is generally considered good. Drink plenty of water and snack on fruits. But please avoid coffee and alcohol. It is commonly regarded that coffee tends to make cramps worse, make you dehydrated, and also give digestive issues. Alcohol gives hangover, which comes with a huge list of problems.
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4. Learn about different cultures and their attitude towards the period.
   In some cultures, menstruation is a taboo topic. Many religious or cultural practices forbid menstruating women from practicing in religious ceremonies. In South Asia and Southeast Asia, it is common for menstruating women to not be allowed inside a temple or kitchen.
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5. Find out beforehand where to find menstrual products
   Globally, access to menstrual products varies substantially. Developed countries tend to have a wider selection of products such as tampons, pads, period panties, cups, and what not! But in some areas in Africa and Asia, access to them, especially disposable products, is limited. Tampons, which are used the most in the West, are not available in many countries. If you do find tampons, there is a big chance that they will come without an applicator. In many countries, you will not find period products in supermarkets but in pharmacies. It is also very uncommon for women to work in pharmacies and most men working there do not understand menstruation. Informing yourself beforehand will make your life easier.
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6. Planning activities around your period
   Prepare your itinerary in such a way that you can do something relaxing and less intense and taxing on those days. Maybe go shopping? Or indulge and try different foods. Watch a show, a local show, or check out local channels! The choices and experiences are endless.

Here, you will find a period packing checklist which will make your life simpler!

1. Your menstruation product of choice and especially if it is hard to find overseas.
2. Comfortable clothing because I use my period as an excuse to dress like a Hobo.
3. A heating pad.
4. Pain relief medications that work for you.
5. If you take birth control pills or specific medication, your prescription.
6. Tons of underwear, just in case.
7. Wet wipes and tissues.
8. Disposable bags.
9. FAVORITE SNACKS OR TEAS OR WHATEVER! I always have chamomile tea with me because I have found that it relaxes me.

What are some sustainable ways to make my life easier while travelling on the period?

The first menstrual product which we are usually handed when we are first visited by aunt Flo is a pad. Later, we graduated to tampons. We go through at least thousands of those in our lives. They are all great but did you know that they are mostly just plastic? Pads, tampons, liners, packaging, etc. are single-use products and generate 200,000 tonnes of waste in a year! We really need to address the way we deal with our periods.

Let’s talk about reusable menstrual products and especially menstrual cups and period panties. I switched to a menstrual cup 3 years back from tampons and I haven’t look back ever since. I have had the best experience with it and the environmental impact is just an added advantage. Now, I travel with it everywhere and never face the situation of potentially running out during my period.

A menstrual cup is a cup (duh!) which is usually made of rubber or silicone which, when inserted into your vagina, catches all the period fluid. Period panties are underwear designed to wear alone, without tampons and then washed. These are the most widely used products. There are several pros and cons to these.

PROS:

• Less waste.

• Lower cost.

• Lasts for a long time during the day than pads and tampons.

• No leakage.

CONS:

• Can be messy.

• Can be a bit uncomfortable for a few.

• Difficult to clean in some situations.

This is what I recommend:  Do not use a reusable product on your vacation for the first time. Try it before and let your body adjust and figure out how it works. Find what works for you because each cup will not work for you. The cup which suits you depends on your age, your flow, and whatnot. Initially, when I tried the menstrual cup, it was a mess. I did not insert it properly and needless to say, there was a mess that scared me from trying it again. However, with a little practice and YouTube videos, I learned. I am a firm supporter of it!

How to fly comfortably on your period!

It can be quite tricky and uncomfortable to travel long distances while on your period. One of the most eventful flights of my life happens to also be the longest one I ever took. It was from New York City to Mumbai. It was 15 hours! I not only had my wisdom teeth decide to prove its existence and give me the worst pain of my life, but I also got my period. I learned to be prepared for it on a long flight. Here are some tips:

• Get in an aisle seat so that you don’t end up bothering people around you every time you need to use the bathroom.

• Drink loads of water.

• Pack your period kit in your carry-on luggage and if possible, keep it in your bag which you can keep with you instead of stowing it up.

• Wear comfortable clothing.

• Remember to change your tampon every 4-5 hours.

• Do not drink alcohol.

• Try and get tons of sleep!

This is something only we experience and our period should never ever stop us from travelling. After all, there is nothing more empowering than traveling on periods and it is always a great reminder for how strong and badass we women are!

When is the last time you had a genuine big smile in front of people instead of covering the bottom of your heart? Can you remember the day which thrills you when you just think of it and can’t stop waiting? Are you still frustrated that you are only a small being in front of the giant wall which lets you down?  

Many people are too tired to think about this.

Without noticing, we gradually get used to taking orders from someone and just do them as scheduled. There is so much burden piled up to us. Finally, we forget the fact that we are not this kind of person originally.  

You are someone who has lots of creative ideas, who loves to speak your opinion, you are brave to face your weakness and you are full of energy to go forward to your dream. But for now, you feel like you can’t do any of it.

Do you know what you need at this stage of life? you need to go out and make time to meet the real me, definitely.  

It was at this time of day, the middle of April, when I started my first solo trip to Prague. It was so cold even though it was an obvious spring, I was freezing to death, and so was my heart. I still remember what I thought in the Prague airport, “I wanna go back again. I really miss my cosy bed at home”.

The next day, I went on a short trip to Dresden, Germany. When the train ran across the border of Germany, my phone stopped working, because it was an unexpected visit, so I had just bought a Usim card which can only be used in Prague. No internet, drizzling all day in a foreign country without an umbrella, the only thing I could do was just hanging around places not far from the platform, trying not to forget the way back to train station.

Gray, gloomy half a day passed, I stood on the platform to take a train back to my accommodation in Prague. I wasn’t talkative, rather close to be shy, but at this time, I desperately needed someone to talk to. I looked around and found a solo traveller. Fortunately, he took the same train as me so I just followed him.

But when I tried to pull the door handle, it didn’t work. It was an embarrassing moment, struggling with handle. He stood up from his seat and he just pushed aside the door. Yes, not pulled, just pushed it. My original plan was to go in with a generous smile and talk to him. But that handle ruined everything and just left awkward moment.

There was the only strained atmosphere. Finally, he took his earphone from his pocket. As soon as I saw it, I realized that it would be over if he listened to his music and then the only thing left behind would be a three-hours silent time back to Prague. At that moment, the Announcement was released from the captain.

Instinctively, I noticed It was my last chance to change my day. ‍

So I said, “Did you understand what the train captain said?” he put down his earphone and started to explain like he wanted to talk to me too. As you can guess, I didn’t care what the announcement was about at all. From that time, we continued to chatter until we arrived at home,

It was an amazing experience to be able to share my thoughts and find in common with the person who I didn’t even know the name a few minutes ago but who had now become my friend. I wasn’t in a blue mood anymore. I was full of confidence with the fact I had just made it: “oh my god. I did it! I talk to a new person and have a great talk-time on the train which I dreamed of for a long time! Could I have imagined this would happen a few hours ago?”

I realized the key to change my situation is just in my hand. I’m powerful enough to improve a situation more than I think.  It is like breaking old me. If I hadn’t found the courage to talk first, If I hadn’t gone to travel by myself, I would have stayed the same, a coward giving up before taking action. If you have many “ If ” in your life, please just throw them in the trash can because it doesn’t help. Having time to think is only valuable when you are already on the way to carry out, thinking is nothing with itself.  

You are a brave and talented person, more than you think. All your strength is just hidden deep inside of you. And it’s waiting for you to find it. The best way to find it is to travel alone. You will be surprised by what you discover - how many things you can handle and how good your are at many things. A person whose inside is strong doesn’t tremble when meeting the huge wind. Being unbeatable is done by listening to my inner voice from my heart.

I hope you don’t miss the opportunity to face the real you. It is a huge privilege to go pursue your dreams.  We all know quarantine will end one day. Because we are being to see hope even in the desert watching stars in the sky. We keep doing our things with endless efforts to be stronger. I hope the day comes soon we will meet on the way to travel. Because we are NomadHer.

How did I start my first solo traveling?  

In 2010 I didn’t know what to do with my life and the crisis in Spain was not helping at all. I decided, with a hunch that I still can't explain, that I had to learn English and live an adventure.  So I bought a ticket to a new place, Bournemouth, a small city on the coast of England. I still remember the tears at the airport, don't you ever think everything is wonderful?

In the beginning, my stay was going to be for three months, but the adventure ended up becoming in five years. Five years!  After three months in Bournemouth, bored, I moved to London (the jungle, as I call it), where I worked very hard, but had the opportunity to visit all around England. I had to!  Whenever I could and my budget allowed, I traveled to a new place; Bath, Oxford, Cardiff. And suddenly, I realize that I liked that version of myself, traveling and enjoying myself without depending on anyone.  

Five years passed with its ups and downs, and I realized I missed Spain; my friends, my family, the warmth of the people, the sun, and, of course, the tapas.  

But the woman who left, in 2010 stayed at the same airport of Madrid, returned  as a woman with more self-esteem, knowing herself more, recognizing herself brave and  as a warrior.

Definitely, valuing me as a woman.

And with the return, the crisis of the 30s arrived. And how did I deal with it?

Traveling!

I wanted to volunteer in Africa. And I did it.  I wanted to travel to Costa Rica. And I traveled.  And I couldn’t stop!  Not just traveling but I tried new experiences. I have jumped from the highs, I have overcome an obstacle race, one of those that ends up full of mud (me! Hello?), I have jumped by zip lines to more than 800 meters high...  

And still counting!  With all these experiences have helped me to trust myself and even more,

I wanted to encourage other women to take a trip that would mark them for life, so that they could see that if I have traveled alone without needing anything or anyone, they can too (you, who read to me, you can too).  

We, women, are more powerful than we think we are.  

I hope this inspires you to take action and to travel to that place you always wanted to. With yourself ;)

Like most modern Westerners, I like to plan. I worked in corporate where I had to be very well-organized. Most of us are control freak and are afraid of the unknown. This fear is reflected during our holidays in which almost everything from morning until evening is planned in advance isn’t it?

But as we live this way, not only it can be stressful to run from place A to B, but we do not let room to be surprised. We do not allow ourselves to stay how long we truly want to stay for in the most paradisiac place, because we stick to the plan. Why don’t you change your mindset and live more freely?

Say hello to space and let life come to you. When abroad, give yourself a chance to learn from locals and other travelers to tell you where to go. A special place may call you, but sometimes you also want to stay and visit your new friends.

To allow adventure, you need to stop booking everything.  Create free time in your schedule allows you to live small and big adventures. It could be from being invited for a coffee, meet new people, explore nature, or none of these options. And by none, I mean something amazing, you also need to rest whilst traveling. Overdoing can happen easily, but when it does, you are restless, grumpy and certainly do not enjoy life as it is. It is not enough often highlighted, but you need to find the balance between rest and play.  

Here is a glimpse of my story. What happened to me last year thanks to the flexibility of my mindset and schedule.  2 years ago, I realized that I needed to bring meaning in my life. So I decided to sign up for a yoga teacher training in my top one dream destination that is, Bali. I thought that I would go there for one month, then come back to France to teach one class weekly, and will see how it goes from there. It did not happen like that at all, thank God. Here I was, jobless and alone at the opposite end of the world. However, it was one of the best times of my life. I felt that I was living a dreamy routine; Sunshine, amazing people, food, massage, sandy beach, yoga, surfing and more.

After 2 weeks I wondered about the next step. I was trying to honestly listen to my heart. My roommate invited me to join her as a volunteer yoga teacher for a summer yoga camp for unprivileged kids in Lovina, North Bali. The camp started a few days after the end of the yoga teacher training. It would be both a human and a professional experience.  This new path came to me, and I considered to accept this opportunity. Of course I had doubts and questions about my planned return date; If I am so happy here, why should I go home? What is there for me?

The answer was: nothing. I could not return to Paris. The feeling came from the guts, I needed to be where I wanted to be. I needed to explore the world and its cultures. Give back to the most innocent form of beings: children. Stay with my new (yoga) sisters. I needed to live my own adventure.  I was both excited and scared, but I canceled my return ticket in a few minutes on my phone. It was the first time that I ever canceled something, to be honest.

It was actually technically very to do it. The most lengthy and challenging part was making the decision. I am so glad that I chose to change my plans and open the door to uncertainty. Having no plan was thrilling, I was free! Absolutely free. It gave me joy. A deep sense of wellbeing in all my cells and beyond. I was undoubtedly radiating happiness. This feeling has no price. I wish you all to feel it at least one time in your life. Because from there, we know that we can do anything. We know that we can change our minds, and that we have the power to shape our life the way we want to. It is liberating to realize that no one is forcing you to do anything.  A few days after that, the old me was a bit back in the game.

I wanted to book as soon as possible a room to stay in Ubud for the days between the yoga course and the yoga camp. While I was starting to be anxious because no one was organizing anything, a friend recommended that we should visit Uluwatu before going to Ubud. She convinced me, and I was actually so happy with this late offer. It gave me the chance to see both Uluwatu and Ubud - when a couple of weeks ago they were not in the plan.  I did not stop there. A few days later, I bought a one-way ticket for Australia. Until I was in the airport in Bali, I thought I would start the trip to Brisbane.

However I canceled my booking in Brisbane, instead I booked a hostel in Byron Bay. Because I listened to my heart. And so went on my trip, with many - not always last-minute decisions. This is how I visited places that I didn’t plan. I let room for opportunities to arise. And I mean stunning landscapes, parties, naps, etc… I admit that late booking is not always the best financially speaking, or at the emotional level. Thinking about what are you going to do next, where is your life going can be stressful.

You need to find the good timing. Later on, I planned with one month in advance and went to Melbourne, Bali, Cambodia, India, and other destinations in Europe.  By now you got the point of this article. I can tell you that before leaving for the teacher training in Bali, it was at the back of my mind to extend my adventure but I didn’t imagine I would so much.

I realized that we can shift our life quickly and it is more simple than we suspect. It takes time to let go of the advice and worries of your close ones, your own prejudices and believed duties. But the thing is, at the end this your life, so make it yours! Babes, you have the power to shape the life you want. Trust yourself. Stop worrying, it is pointless to waste time and energy for something that it isn’t worthy.

Now is the moment to be fully alive. Let life flows for you. Be here, be who you want to be on this lovely and unique planet.  See you on the road, From my heart to yours, XIao.

This blog article is written by Xiao Lu.

Is it safe to travel alone as a woman in Brazil?

When I moved to Brazil for a year, people would either talk about beaches and palm trees or ask if my mum was concerned about my safety.

During my year of study in São Paulo, I decided to travel around the country on my own for almost two months. It was spontaneous and I did not plan anything special, had not even picked a particular destination. The only thing I knew in my gut was that I had fallen in love with the country and I wanted a chance to fully immerse myself in Brazilian culture, even if it meant losing myself in the jungle.

I must say that my decision to travel solo was not reckless because I had already spoken Portuguese quite well and had lived in the country for four months already - meaning that I kind of knew what was true and what was not true about the rumours of danger in Brazil. I had a local insight that helped me get rid of my apprehension and that is why I am writing this today: to share with fellow women what I know about Brazil and to let you know that if you want to, you can definitely travel solo in Brazil.

Brazil is a dangerous country; there is no point in pretending the opposite. There is a high rate of crime and some areas of the country are not safe for anyone, men or women. However, it is definitely possible to visit the country and be safe, just like I did.

I started my trip by taking a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Salvador da Bahia, a city that has quite a dangerous reputation, so I made sure that the flight arrived during the day. I had booked a bed in a hostel and I took a cab from the airport, knowing that public transportation was messy. The hostel was in the city centre, in a street that I knew was safe, and I had checked the online reviews to be sure that the hostel was okay. I arrived there and was welcomed with open arms, instantly met some people, one thing leading to another, we went to have dinner together.

And that’s how it started.

This trip led me to discover so many places in Northern Brazil: the national park of the Chapada Diamantina, the beachy cities of Jericoacoara, Fortaleza and São Luís, the island Morro de São Paulo where I stayed for a while - but this article is not about the wonders of the country because any tourist guide would let you know everything about it.

What I really want to say is that I took night buses, I stayed in places where I did not know anyone, I wandered around cities by myself, I booked guided tours and sometimes explored the forest on my own, I even went to Carnival in Salvador and I never felt like I was in danger.

Of course, sometimes I might have been in a bad situation and just not realized, but I believe that I managed to reduce the risk by being careful and listening to my gut feeling every time I had a doubt.

Being careful sometimes meant taking extra measures that I wouldn’t have taken in another country. It sometimes meant not doing something I wanted to do because I did not feel like it, or change my plans at the last minute because I suddenly had the intuition that something was off. I learned very quickly that daring to ask extra questions could spare me a lot of troubles.

A great thing about Brazil is that it is a popular destination, meaning that you always meet other groups of travellers and that finding information is quite easy. The Brazilians are also very welcoming and eager to help you when needed so I met a lot of great people along the way. No one was ever offended when I asked about safety and people were glad to share their recommendations and insights. Feminism in Brazil is also very strong and quite present so I found out that most Brazilian women I met were more than happy to help a fellow woman find her way around, in a spirit of the sorority.

So here is my recommendation for anyone who would worry about their safety while travelling in Brazil solo: get yourself out there. Book that flight and do not hesitate one second. The wonders of Brazil are definitely open to anyone who wants to discover them and if you take care of yourself, Brazil will take care of you.

Dear NomadHers,  

Today, I would like to share my story travelling solo in India for 3 months and a half.  Travelling alone above all is never travelling alone: all possible and imaginable places (sometimes unimaginable) can be the place of a meeting.

When you travel to an Asian country, and when you are physically different from other locals, you are easily recognizable and you are stared at by the locals, but on the other you quickly recognize yourself as a stranger. And then the contact is easy, fast, a bit like sharing a secret, something strong in common.  

I thus made pretty meetings in the youth hostels especially, but also in the buses, in the street, in cafes, restaurants, ashrams, Ayurvedic centers, travel agency ... in short everywhere I went,  I have met people. And most of the time the people we meet have the same program as me (namely the main tourist schedules, so it is not difficult to have the same travel schedule!

So in summary, the moments when I am alone (and therefore potentially feeling insecure) are rare. As soon as I travel with someone whom I met during my journey, "I feel it well", and therefore I feel serene.

As a woman, my rule N ° 1 is to follow my intuition. So if I don't feel the right intuition from someone, whether that is someone that I met on the road or through a rickshaw driver, I don’t follow them.

We are on a trip, so, therefore, we don’t need to bother the reasons with great explanations or polite expressions, just say “no” and that's the end of the story. So I feel zero associated guilt.  Also as a woman, I take care to cover my body well (to respect the local customs): a t-shirt that covers the arms and wide pants, all bought in India, it is more local and therefore necessarily more suitable.

I never go out alone at night. Ok, if I have met and I am not alone (and again, not late). Even if it is early night I always make sure I get back to my hotel or hostel during the day. Also, understand the local stress culture. It took me a while to understand that if men stared at me so much it's just because they rarely see white women. Women do the same!  I think my state of mind can affect the situation.

When I feel concentrated and fine, nobody comes to bother me. If I am in a worse state of mind (be in fear, worry, too much anger or too tired) then I will be "harassed" by street vendors and rickshaw drivers. I think we attract what we are (literally and in the present moment) and I find this particularly true in India.  

Also being a woman, it has allowed me moments of grace especially with children (and their mom), surely because being a woman facilitates contact with youth. I also had wonderful meetings, I was invited to an Indian family to live with them for a week. Would I have received the same invitation and the same welcome if I had been a man? I do not think so.  In conclusion, India, which is not a country that welcomes women easily, has only given me wonderful surprises until today. Being a woman who travels alone has advantages and disadvantages, as with any medal, there is a downside. It's up to everyone to make the bright side shine!  

From, Carole

Not only it is sexist, but it is also not true.

For men, adventure means the great outdoors, beautiful escapes and the pleasures of solitude.

However, travel risks also exist for men. But in their case, it's romantic, it's about surpassing yourself, it's  adventure, yes big adventure.

The woman is the one who stays. Like Penelope who faithfully awaits Ulysses while he goes on adventures and exploits. Penelope's heroism lies in her expectation, her patience, her immobility.

Travel is supposed to be dangerous for women, they are told that it will be in great danger. On the other hand, women are recommended to annihilate themselves in love and waiting.

This vision links to a sexist and misogynistic argument that a woman who travels alone takes reckless risks, that in the best of cases she is unconscious - if not that she is immoral.

The mechanism is as follows: women are deprived of an experience (traveling alone) while affirming, to support this point of view, that a woman who travels alone is a rare species. The circle is vicious.

In the collective imagination, it seems difficult for many to imagine that the weaker sex goes its adventures alone, without a man who would protect them from all the dangers of the world.

Once again, we infantilize women and dispossess them off their free will: to prohibit (or advise against, but in substance it is the same thing) something to a woman, even for her alleged "safety", proceeds from the same kind of alienation. In such a representation, women are expected to ignore the dangers that await them in the world; but strangely, when they denounce these dangers as not being insurmountable but as being the act of malicious men (harassment, attempted manipulation, rape ...), women are told that they are wrong, that they fantasize about a danger which is not one.

A few months ago in Tehran, a young German woman around me was subjected to intense and very intense harassment from a man. After seeing her in a grocery store near her home, he followed her to her apartment building and started waiting for her every morning and evening outside her door. He tried to speak to her despite his repeated refusals, launching declarations of love and marriage proposals in a poorly mastered German who had obviously learned the day before for the next day.

To avoid it and because she was very afraid, she started to systematically travel by taxi, to modify her schedules, to hide all her hair under her scarf when she approached her home. When she told her story around her, the good man jokingly replied, “Oh! but it's cute: he wants to marry you, you caught his attention that's all. It was lunar: she was supposed to be flattered by the harassment of this man. After a month, she went to the police station, where she was told more or less the same thing: "But don't be afraid, he doesn't want to hurt you, he's just in love! After two months of continuous harassment, she decided to leave Iran permanently.

The traveller is torn between these two figures: the frightened woman who fantasizes about danger, who is not "funny" because she does not want to go on an adventure; and, on the other hand, the damn we're trying to use

The characteristic of a patriarchal society is to structure the room for manoeuvre of women, to shape their preferences and their behaviour. A ban is always social, rarely natural. Resuming sexist injunctions (in this case, telling a woman that it is dangerous for her to travel alone), even in a benevolent manner, therefore only perpetuates this state of affairs.

Furthermore, constantly pointing out an alleged danger of solo travel for women only contributes to their objectification. Once again, women are presented only as potential prey, not as subjects with a vision of the world and the possibilities of defence within it.

The mechanisms at work in a society are never taken for granted. They exercise simply because they are encouraged. And so, the vitality of patriarchy is only made possible by these small daily abdications, by the fact that women are locked beings from the inside who have internalized the injunctions that they have been given since childhood. To convince yourself that being alone is dangerous and that you no longer want to be alone for this simple reason is to have fully internalized this injunction: you end up being convinced that it is normal to be afraid - and that, what which is not normal is to take such risks.

It is therefore important to go against the prescriptions of society: if not to overturn, at least to stop sexist mechanisms. The impact is real: on life, but also on those around him, and therefore a fortiori on an entire society.

Loneliness is emancipatory for oneself, but also for the image that one sends back to others and therefore for society. And if you are a woman and you hesitate to leave alone simply because you are afraid, ask yourself this question: would, in my place, a man hesitate for the same reasons?

You are travelling solo in Paris? Here are some travel tips for solo female travellers in Paris by the NomadHer team.

Be careful with Pick Pocket!

This is such a cliche that you will often hear from people visiting Paris that there are lots of pickpockets. Well, it is true! Even the true Parisians always take care of belongings like putting their bags always front. It seems like there are lots of pick-pocketers in Paris as it is a hub of shopping and they know better than anyone else that people carry cash or a credit card when they visit the famous touristic places. There are several tricks that these pick-pocketers use, to share with you:

1. They work as a team. One might try to help you carry your luggage, and offer you help while another might try to take your stuff from your pocket or a small bag that you carry. Sorry, before taking an offer from a stranger, reflect on whether you can truly trust this person.

2. They will take your stuff before getting off the tram. Yes, so don’t try to use your phone if possible. What usually happens, these people will keep an eye on your fancy new iphone or galaxy phone and when the metro door starts to close, they will take out your phone from your hands and get off from the metro. When you try to get off to catch them? It is too late. Don’t expect too much from Parisien police. Sorry, but these cases happen too often and there is almost 0.01 % chance that you can get your phone back.

3. Never ever put your bags or stuff on the terrace chair. I know you might just put your bags in a Parisien terrace because you think it is so authentic to sip your espresso at a Parisien terrace and look at people passing by. Well, before that be careful for your bags, you never know what will happen.

Find out local coffee shops recommended by Parisienne Stella and Manon from the @thenavyapartment, the blog features their favourite place in Paris. Here are their favourite coffee shops recommended by true Parisiennes for solo female travellers in Paris.

1. Merci Paris: Used Books Coffee shop

Better known as a concept store, Merci Paris is also a coffee shop/restaurant filled with used books! This part of a bookshop and restaurant is more stylish than other parts of the Merci.  Moreover, Sometimes you can buy these books in the coffee shop. This is the true heaven for those who want to dive into the world of reading.

111 boulevard Beaumarchais

75003 Paris, France

2. Peonies Paris

This is one of the favourite places that true Parisienne Manon recommends. Peonies is a small coffee shop with perfect decoration, delicious coffee and also flowers!

81 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis

75010 Paris

France

3. Make My Lemonade

Make My Lemonade is a blog of Lisa Gachet. Now, it works as a clothes brand, a beautiful boutique shop at Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. We can find collections, selections of amazing jewellery (accessories, decorations, postcards), DIY workshop, coffee and a full of positive vibrant energy with colour.  

61 Quai de Valmy

75010 Paris, France

4. ICI LIBRAIRIE

La Librairie ICI is the biggest and independent bookshop in Paris. This is one of the Manon and Stella’s top choices for buying a new book as well. Of course you can stop by for a coffee!

25 Boulevard Poissonnière,

75002 Paris, France

The original contents were written by the blog The Navy Apartment, and NomadHer has translated and modified the contents with the consent of the Navy Apartment.