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| Flickr Photo/Susana Fernandez |
I have traveled alone a number of times over the years -- from
school in Saskatchewan to home in Ontario or as far away as Mexico. I can
remember a few worrisome hours when a blizzard threatened to ground all flights
leaving me stuck in the Winnipeg Airport on Christmas Eve. Another time a
flight to Acapulco was greeted by soldiers carrying machine guns lining the
airport runway. I thought we landed in a war zone but apparently it was all
standard security procedures for the big convention of diplomats that happened
to be going on at the time. Other than that I never had a problem but then I
was coached by my mother. She was a frequent flyer and passed along a few tips
before I made my first trip. Things that she learned while traveling alone like:
where to stash your cash in case you lose your purse or luggage – which was
always likely; how to be cheerful when engaged in conversation without
revealing any personal information; and a list of emergency phone numbers in
case there’s a problem such as the Canadian embassy or consul in Mexico.
Nowadays more than ever – women are willing to travel alone
to see the world.
In fact a recent survey by Small Luxury Hotels of the World
found that between 2011 and 2012 there was a 53 percent increase in demand for
rooms by women traveling alone. The London Mail also reported that some hotels
have taken steps to make their accommodations more appealing to women traveling
on their own, for business, school or pleasure, with features such as
women-only floors.
Despite the trend many women still worry that such solitary
excursions carry too many risks, making them a target for thieves, kidnappers
and other criminals. However, Barbara Foster, a veteran globetrotter and author
of a new book, “The Confessions of a Librarian: A Memoir of Loves” said there
is no reason to let your fears keep you from the adventures you can experience.
“Sure, there are risky places and bad types out there,” said Foster, in
statement released to the press. “But with the right precautions, women can
travel solo with confidence, visiting the places and meeting the people they
always dreamed of and returning home with wonderful stories and memories.”
Her tips come from years of traveling across the country and
around the world with stops in Istanbul, Bombay, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem and
other locales.
“As an adventurer, Foster is something of a contradiction,”
says her publicist. “She describes herself as a librarian who has difficulty
reading flight schedules and suspects a haggling merchant in an Arab bazaar
would view her as easy pickings. He would be mistaken.”
Yes, she’s spent a professional lifetime in academia and
co-authored books on such esoteric subjects as Tibetan Buddhism but she’s also
worldly and offers the following tips for traveling boldly while staying safe:
Do not stray from too far from the main drag or tourist
area. “Simply put, some places just aren’t worth the risk. So avoid ‘no go’
neighborhoods, cities and countries,” Foster said. If you feel compelled to go
to the Middle East choose a place known to be safer than others such as Israel.
India can be dangerous and Foster said she was nearly kidnapped there, saved
only by the intervention of a librarian friend. Still she said, “the country
offers a once in a lifetime experience.”
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| Flickr/Jes |
Try to learn the language or at the very least know a few
important phrases. Where is the bus stop? Where is the hospital? How much does
it cost? Understanding what people are saying is also important in case there’s
a problem and what people are saying has to do with potential dangers.
Have those local phone numbers handy as I said and make a connection with
friendly contacts. “Make yourself known not only to the U.S. embassy or consul
but also to people in your field,” Foster said. When she was traveling Foster
said she wrote articles about the libraries that she visited – giving everyone
a heads up as to her whereabouts both at home and abroad. She said her fellow
librarians were a protective group.
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| Flickr/Adam Kerfoot-Roberts |
Foster also recommends dressing wisely, paying attention to
manners and watching what you spend. Basically you do not want to draw
attention to yourself. Wearing wild clothes in a country where women dress conservatively
shows a sign of disrespect. In her book, Foster recounts a visit to Istanbul
where she watched horror-struck as two Turkish men slapped a young British
woman for wearing a miniskirt on the street. You might also remember the
freedoms enjoyed by Americans are not enjoyed everywhere so use caution when
wearing T-shirts that might be cool at home but offensive in another country.
As my mother told me and as Foster also recommends, carry
money and identification in a safe place on you rather than in a purse or
suitcase. Foster recommends a pouch under your shirt. One of my favorite spring
jackets had a zipper pocket on the inside – which served me well as did my tall
soccer socks.
Lastly if you’re going to travel alone stick close to home
said Foster. “You will miss many of the world’s must-see places but if the
thought of traveling abroad holds too much stress for you it might be better to
travel only in the U.S.”
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| A man walking his dog in New Orleans/Flickr/Jeff Turner |
Two of Fosters favorite must-see places at home are New York
and New Orleans. “Both are great places to explore,” Foster said.
