Stay safe while traveling solo

It was a typical Sunday morning. My husband, Chris, and I sat down to read the newspaper and one headline screamed at us: “U.S. Tourist Killed in Istanbul.”

In January, Sarai Sierra, a blossoming photographer, was killed by a blow to the head while traveling alone in Turkey. Her body, tucked into a hidden corner of the ancient city walls, was found 12 days after she was supposed to board a plane to come home to her husband and two children.

Chris turned to me with that look on his face. The one that says, “That could be you.” His expression filled with worry and sadness.

I had just booked a solo trip through Eastern Europe the day before.

Solo travel has its risks, but harm can come to any of us at any time. The potential threat doesn’t keep us from getting in our cars and driving to work every day, even though the lifetime chance of dying in a car accident is roughly 1 in 98.

To experience the joy of traveling, I accept the remote possibility of danger, but I do my best to prevent it by following these safety tips:

• There is safety in numbers, especially at night. Staying at hostel makes it easier to meet other travelers — some of whom are also women traveling solo. In Brazil, I shared a dorm with a middle-aged woman from São Paulo, who joined me for some sightseeing and late-night meals.

• Never tell strangers you’re traveling solo. A friend of mine often refers to a faux husband when the topic comes up with strangers when she’s overseas. She goes a step further and wears a wedding band. Most people don’t question when she tells them he’s back at the hotel waiting for her.

• Dress modestly. Clothes that you think are conservative, can be considered scandalous by some cultures. In some African nations, exposed knees are no no. I’ve seen topless women walking around in rural villages, but their skirts reached their ankles. Get to know the local customs before you go and dress accordingly (although I recommend keeping your top on, too).

• Carry a whistle or pepper spray. One time in Nicaragua, a drunk guy lunged at me and another woman as we walked down the street in broad daylight. Luckily, she had pepper spray close at hand. Before we needed to use it, though, a taxi appeared and we jumped inside, although the drunk still managed to slap me through the window as we sped off. It was nice to know we had a line of defense should we need it.

• Stay alert and be confident. Even if I don’t know where I am, I pretend I do and walk decisively while keeping an eye on who or what is ahead or behind me. Of course, never pull out a map on a street corner. Smart phones make the task a little less conspicuous, but I still duck into a shop or café when I need to look more closely.

The rewards of going it alone outweigh the risks

When I travel, I try to strike a careful balance between not letting my guard down while remaining open minded to the opportunities that present themselves, such as having dinner with a group of fellow travelers I’ve just met, learning new things or being randomly invited to a wedding in the local community. These sorts of things are possible when you travel with others, of course. But, if you’re attention is focused on a spouse or friend, you’re less likely to strike up a conversation with a local to learn more about their culture.

Going solo into the world means I can make decisions about what I want to do, when I want to do it. I can spend hours photographing a blade of grass or exploring the local ethnographic museum. The choice is mine and there’s no compromise.

Every year, thousands of women choose to travel alone and they come home safe. Unfortunately, Serai Sierra wasn’t one of them. It’s okay to be nervous before setting out alone, but if you’re like me, the promise of an enriching experience makes it all worthwhile.

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The next time I travel alone, there’s no doubt my thoughts will go to Sarai Sierra. Photos she took during her time in Istanbul are available for purchase and the proceeds will go to her children. I bought a couple of her photos to remind me that there is beauty in this world and she wasn’t afraid to seek it.
To purchase a photo, visit her instacanv.as page.[/dropshadowbox]