What it's Like to Travel Solo as a Girl

I have never been a big guy so I don't know how it's like to travel as a big guy. I am, however, a puny looking, cute, little girl who frequently travels alone. HAHAHAHA okay, I have overdone my adjectives. Seriously though, I look fourteen:

Sometimes, I can also look like twelve.

In general traveling alone makes you thick-skinned, and you become desperate for human communication so much that you learn to talk to anyone about anything - from NBA fights to religions, from tricycle drivers to churchgoers. Hopefully, you also develop a habit of taking selfies, otherwise, you'll have no photos of yourself at all.

As a female though, traveling alone can be a bit more tricky. You see, when you look like a good girl, nice people will usually be ten times nicer to you - interviewing you about your travels, warning you of things, places, habits to avoid, telling the drivers where they should drop you off, or even going out of their way to walk you to the bus terminals or something. Usually, these good souls are old, grey haired people or mothers.

Conversely, assholes also become ten times more of an asshole to solo female travelers. They try to advance acts that will solicit your attention - even if you make it obvious to them that you dislike what they are doing. This doesn't happen often though, but when it happens, it can be traumatic. The regular culprit for this kind of actions are middle aged men. If you're in a public place, you can just make a scene (make it obvious that you are being bothered) and someone will surely ask what's going on and he or she will help you.

As for people who try to rip you off, they don't care about what your sex is. If they think they can make a living out of you, they will.

I think what makes me feel safer during my travels are (1) my whistle - I carry a whistle everywhere I go so when someone bothers me, I can easily make a scene. If no one is around to help, I can run as fast as I can to the nearest "help desk." Offenders don't usually pursue a target that seem prepared as it could put them in a difficult situation, (2) the fact that I'm relatively a fast runner too, and (3) I know basic self defense since I was a taekwondo player in high school - I wouldn't count on it though, I'd rather blow my whistle, run and look for help.

So what is it like to travel solo as a girl?

Well, you get special treatment - it can be good or bad depending on who is giving you special treatment. HAHAHA don't worry, most people are nice if you're nice, and most people will try to look out after you if they see you alone. Why don't we all always look out for each other?

Stay safe and see you around!
Arlet