Take the Risk, Travel Alone
Travelling solo can be a very rewarding experience. As advertised vastly by the media, movies, and countless books, it is supposed to be the rogue pathway to finding yourself.
Whether you want to “Eat, Pray, Love” it and indulge in personal experiences of change in different countries and scenarios. Or if you want to take to the woods like in “Into the Wild” and let nature grow and groom you, there is space for everyone, and there is knowledge for everyone to gain while travelling.
Travelling in general is an uplifter. It is known to be therapeutic and to increase your confidence and trust in yourself. However, when you choose to partake in solo travel, it is much, much better, risky but rewarding.
Travelling alone gives you the space to make decisions for yourself. Where you want to eat, where you want to go, what you want to see, and how you want to lead your vacation. It provides you with an array of choices that are all to your liking.
This in turn gives you the experience of having confidence, trust, and space to grow and believe in your capabilities. It helps you seek what you need in life and know more about yourself, at least on a deeper level.
How has technology influenced solo travel?
Solo-travelling is an adventurous feat to undertake. Deciding to transport yourself to an unknown location alone for the sole reason of exploration is a bold move. Similarly, it is rewarding too.
Before the advent of technology and its widespread usage. It was very hard to gather information on location, stay, activities, and safety provisions. However, with technology in the picture, it has become way easier.
Information is usually just a click away, exploring, planning, and booking are all easier decisions to take.
Book faster – Technology helps us to book our flights, our tickets, and our stays faster through online travel agent platforms, travel and tour operators, and curators.
Explore places of stay – This helps us explore the different places of stay and decide where we would like to put up for the rest of the vacation. What suits our needs? Hotels or homestays etc.
Have emergency-safety apps on your phone – Technology has enabled us to carry with us safety apps like Life360, which keeps your location on and connected to your loved ones, Waze which offers the safest routes and informs you about the traffic etc.
The outbound collective helps you connect with locals and gain their valuable insights.
Helps you be off the grid but helps you find your way back too – Apps like Google Maps are amazingly efficient when it comes to travelling. You can never get lost.
Know where to eat, and where to go – Thanks to technology, we now have all the information we could ever need while going out. We can know which places are famous or are tourist hubs, and we can also have places we must visit when we travel to that region ready at our fingertips. Recommendations for food and travel are readily available.
So, travelling alone is rewarding! Let’s know travelling alone is rewarding, what can we do to keep ourselves safe while solo travelling?
Measures one should take to ensure safety during solo travel-
1. Share your Itinerary – No matter how off the grid you want to be, it’s always a good idea to share your itinerary with your loved ones. This way, at least someone is consistently aware of your whereabouts and can track you for safety purposes.
2. Research and learn about your destination – Find out the location of the nearest embassies and familiarize yourself with the emergency services, customs, laws, language, and culture of the place.
3. Use established accommodations – When picking out where to live, use reputable accommodations. Use chain hotels or established names because they tend to keep safety as a priority. Avoid staying in far-flung places or resorts.
4. Carry a Travel Lock – A travel Lock is a portable and easy-to-use extra layer of security that you can add to your accommodations. It secures doors further, making them almost impossible to break open, and provides peace of mind.
5. Carry a pepper Spray – Carry the quintessential pepper spray. In case of any emergencies, it can ward off anyone with ill intentions, giving you a heads-up. Although be aware of the regulations for carrying pepper spray in the country you’re visiting.
6. Carry a Swiss Knife – A handy tool, it can be used for minor things like opening packages, fixing issues, cutting rope, etc. With its various uses, it’s sure to be an asset. Although be aware of the regulations for carrying a Swiss knife in the country you’re visiting.
7. Be aware of your surroundings – Pay attention to your instincts and gut feelings. Do not spend excessive time on your device, and pay attention to things happening around you as well. Keep your belongings safe.
8. Use responsible travel options – Don’t hitchhike or use hitchhiking travel methods. Additionally, try to use established platforms for transportation like Uber, Ola, etc., which are relatively safer.
9. Avoid Risky Behaviour – You are responsible for your safety; therefore, avoid getting too drunk or losing your senses. Don’t take unnecessary risks like accepting rides from strangers or using drugs and alcohol excessively.
10. Be careful with strangers – Interacting with strangers is very important. Knowing about the locality, culture, etc. But avoid giving out too much personal information, like your place of stay, where you’re coming from, and other such details, etc. Whenever possible, avoid uncomfortable situations.
Travelling alone is an amazing experience that should be tried out once in your lifetime. It can bring so much peace, light, and self-discovery into your existence. It exposes you to cultures, things, places, and people in your own time and will. Thus, indulging in experiences like these can do wonders for your brain and body and help you with both physical and mental stimulation.
Solo travel is an extreme booster of self-confidence and creativity. Solo-travelling might just be what you need.
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