“No Ghar-baar! No salwaar! 

Traveling solo can be both liberating and depressive. Why depressive you say?

Well, imagine you’re all alone in a beautiful destination, having the most wonderful meal of your life and you have no one to share it with.

But does this mean your goal of traveling solo failed? No. 

Traveling solo  does not mean leaving behind emotions and feelings, sometimes we tend to feel home sick, which is completely normal. 

Now comes one more aspect of this- liberation! How do we feel liberated?

Well, people travel solo for many reasons at different times in their lives, for various reasons. And the experiences you gain from these trips cannot be compared to the other. These first hand experiences mark our personal achievements; a success that no one can take away from us. 

Traveling solo helps us to build ourselves in silence, and then come back and face the world with confidence. 

After a decade of traveling solo, I have discovered some hacks into effective solo traveling. I hope these tips will motivate you to take that leap of faith and help you to discover your true self.

1. No money, No honey!

A decade ago it seemed all fun and adventurous to leave behind a well paying job for traveling. The savings only lasted so long until there was literally no money at all. Finding a job on the move was considered irresponsible.

I was constantly questioned as to why don’t I come back to the city, find a regular job and live a regular life? You know, because I am young ‘woman’, traveling solo in India. I was looked down with pity, as I didn’t even have a boyfriend to ‘support’ me. Well, to hell with that I said!

There has to be a way, for survival. The sense of survival kicks in, when you have to fight for what you believe in, despite all odds. Let me tell you, it is not easy!

After taking a significant amount of break from the corporate world, it gets pretty difficult to get back. You have to swallow your pride and work for the peanuts that any company is willing to offer you. And in fact I was happy to work.

I found more pride from working in cafes or with local families and their children, than in any well paying corporate job. Teaching English to the locals is one of the easiest ways to get by…and the most satisfying too. Don’t be mistaken! It’s not a money making business… it’s a way to build relationships and a sense of leaving a legacy behind.

As and when you get the chance to earn some money, book your tickets! Decide on where you have to be next and get your tickets in order. Once you have reached your destination, and if you are meant to be there, things will automatically fall in to place.

 2. Safety & Hygiene

Are woman truly safe in India? NO!

Are there any decent toilets for woman across India who are on the road? NO!

So how do we deal with this situation… For one, I always, ALWAYS carry a jungle knife. Thankfully I never had to use it, just pulling it out in situations that required so, was enough.

The moment you feel you are being cornered, scream! Scream on top of your lungs… even if you are stuck in the middle of no where. In your free time, learn some self defense techniques.

As an Indian woman, with huge dreadlocks, firstly I am labeled as a junkie, and hence the said crowd is tend to be attracted towards me. There is absolutely nothing wrong, with having a smoke or a drink wherever you are, but does that mean, you are easy going?

This is what the Indian male population tend to believe. And this is the mindset what we need to change!

It takes years of courage to finally stand up, to stand up for what you believe in.

Since, we can’t even find a decent washroom to relive ourselves, the struggle is real, when we start our period. No sanitation, not a wall to hide behind to change our pads.

What do you do then? Firstly, don’t hesitate. Don’t be shy to ask the first woman or man you see for help. If they have a house or a restaurant near by, someone will surely let you in.

 3.Travel light

No matter what the duration of your travel is, always travel light!

Carry an extra supply of pads or tampons, extra battery or power bank,  earphones and cable cord, and 2 or maybe 3 pair of clothes. Always carry waterproof clothing, shoes and bags.

Don’t worry about wearing traditional attire like salwaar kameez or a saari unless you wish to, or are being a part of some festival. Carry only what is absolutely necessary. Seek other travelers like you and build a community for others.

Traveling solo makes you a warrior! It makes you champion! It does not matter which part of India you are in, you will be safe and unsafe. Many people have never felt safe in their own homes, and traveling has liberated them beyond words. 

A solo female traveler is like a unicorn. We are a rare breed and need to stand by one another in time of need.