From the experienced traveller to anyone who has ever had to apply for a work Visa in the USA, the importance of being organized is essential. But precaution is also necessary before embarking on a trip to a foreign land, and travelling as a woman, either alone or with another woman, will require some extra safety measures. Even if you’re going on a last-minute all inclusive you shouldn’t take your safety for granted. I say this because I have done a fair bit of travelling, and experienced first-hand the dangers of being a young woman in a foreign country. No matter where you go, there are nice people and there are people you should be weary of. Here is basic advice to keep in mind travelling as a woman.
First things first…
1- Make photocopies of all your important documents. This includes passport, airline ticket or itinerary, driver’s license, credit card and traveler’s checks. Leave a copy at home with someone you trust in case anything happens.
2- Be informed. No matter where you’re going, if it’s somewhere you haven’t been before you should buy a guidebook such as the Lonely Planet. Your guide book is your bible and will inform you about any particularities about a certain destination, whether it’s cultural customs, food and water related issues and so on…
3- Keep important phone numbers and addresses with you. If you are travelling to another country, have a phone number to your country’s embassy and of course contact information of anyone you know there.
4- Wear a concealed money belt under your clothes. You can carry around a purse but it’s a good idea for you to conceal your money and credit cards that way, if a thief does try to pull your purse off your shoulder, your money and important documents are tucked safely away in your concealed money belt.
Insider Advice
Clothing
As much as you may want to wear what you want, in countries where women are veiled, it is respectful and wise to make an effort to cover up as well. When my friend and I were in India, we attempted wearing shorts and tank tops, however soon realized it gave men the wrong idea about us. We were being gawked at, touched, grabbed. After we bought long skirts and scarves to cover our shoulders we stopped getting harassed.
Who To Trust
Whenever I visit a new place, I always try and be as courteous as possible, adapt to the culture’s customs and of course, smile. I also like to engage in conversations with locals as they can teach you so many things about the country. However, my advice is to limit the personal information you disclose to strangers and also be vigilant of the kindness you are willing to accept from them too. People must gain your trust and you should stand your ground at all times in order to prevent being taken advantage of.
Taxi Safety
In places where everyone wants your money, taxis will be the first to try and rip you off. When taking taxis, be sure to first find a taxi stand rather than waving one off the street. Generally, only cabs authorized to carry passengers are allowed to stop at cab stands, meaning the taxi is as safe as that country mandates, and the cab driver licensed. Once you’re in the cab it’s a good idea to make sure there is a company phone number inside the cab and a legitimate meter. Also, make sure to look at your driver’s face. I always make it a point to kindly ask their name too.
Nighttime
If you are in a country where you don’t really see many women out at night, it’s probably a good indication that you shouldn’t be either. When you are unfamiliar with an area, being out at night can be especially dangerous. You have much higher chances of getting lost and be attacked without anyone seeing you. If you do happen to be out at night, it is imperative that you have a flashlight handy. Sometimes the city streets may not be illuminated and if ever something did happen you can flash the light on the attackers face. A whistle is also smart-thinking to draw attention to you in case anything happens.
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