Fearless Travel

Fearless Travel—Again?  Yes, back by popular demand as a reminder to those who worry for me, those who limit themselves harboring unfounded fear themselves, and those who have made the decision to venture out……

Traveling alone seems to be a hot topic of late.  Whether you are a man or woman, surely there are places you want to go but don’t, because you’d be faced with having to go alone.

Why not go alone?  What stops you?  What is it that makes the idea of a person, and specifically, a woman, traveling alone concerning or surprising? 

Are women perceived as incompetent? Weak?  An easy “target”?  What are the perceptions?

For me, my perception of meeting a woman traveling alone is—good for you!  Way to go! What are your travel plans?  Tell me some of the highlights of your adventure so far! What do you recommend?

For me, my perception of me traveling alone is this:

We get one pass through life, and there’s a whole world of adventure and inspiration out there to explore.  We can wait for the right time, or the right people or the right what EVER before we go do the things that make us happy, or, we can simply go do those things now.

Life is now. 

What are you afraid of?

What are you waiting for?

If you were to wait until you had someone to go with, you may be waiting for the rest of your life. 

Common sense directs me in my choices and every step I take.  Self-confidence, independence, the ability to be self-reliant, the ability to read people and situations, these are all traits that make me who I am.  And who I am is a life loving, people loving, curious and adventurous soul.

We are not safe in school, at the store, on the street, in the movie theater, at the mall, or basically anywhere.  Terrible things happen to innocent people everywhere.  So what should a person who is alone do? 

Nothing, unless someone does it with them? 

Not go to work or to the grocery store or the Doctors office? 

Not go out at night because, well, it’s night?

Not go out of the house at all? 

Are we to allow ourselves to be held hostage by the fear of “what if”?

I don’t think so.

I think we embrace and cherish our lives and live them to the fullest. 

Here are some things to think about when traveling alone.

1)      Everyone is suspicious in nature until you determine they are not

2)      Be as fit as you can, physically and mentally.

3)      Take a self-defense class

4)      Always keep everything in front of you (not allow yourself to be surrounded)

5)      Make eye contact frequently—size people up

6)      Never stop monitoring your surroundings

7)      Don’t expose cash, credit cards or expensive items freely

8)      Do not disclose any personal info to someone you are not comfortable with

9)      Make connections with the help and locals (they may “have your back”)

10)  Blend in whenever you can

11)  Don’t stay anywhere that appears to be unsafe

12)  Don’t offer or accept rides with strangers

13)  Keep visits to remote areas to day trips only—preferably being done before dark

14)  Park in well lighted high traffic areas whenever possible

15)  Always, always, always have something readily available to defend yourself with

16)  Know, right now, that you will do whatever it takes to protect you and yours

Be able to say with conviction; “God help the person that tries to mess with me.” and have that be the Gods honest truth.

The truth is, we live in uncertain times and an unsafe world, and anything can happen.  Any time, and anywhere.  But if you take the chance to boldly go out and experience new things, it’s far more likely that you will run into some wonderful new friends on your journey than you will “the bad guy”.

We get one pass through life, and there’s a whole world of adventure and inspiration out there to explore.  Here’s hoping you choose to celebrate life exploring it with yours.