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Well, in the US, I have my trusty phone and internet in case I get lost. If I'm abroad, I don't know how that's going to work. That may sound dumb but it's unknown to me so I don't know what to expect. And I rely heavily on my phone/internet when I travel alone. I think in some countries it would be really expensive to rely on your phone/data.
Well, in the US, I have my trusty phone and internet in case I get lost. If I'm abroad, I don't know how that's going to work. That may sound dumb but it's unknown to me so I don't know what to expect. And I rely heavily on my phone/internet when I travel alone. I think in some countries it would be really expensive to rely on your phone/data.
Well that's why there are maps that you can buy. Or ask people directions.
My wife and I spent some time in Morocco so I can't really comment on female traveling alone, but what I said in earlier post about larger gap in male/female social rules is based on things we experienced there. We definitely got off the beaten path, taking buses with locals to small towns in the mountains and hiring guides to trek through the desert along the Algerian border.
One example is the cafes, where you sit outside drinking coffee and watching the street life. If you're outside of tourist areas these are all men. My wife and I sat at some and had no problems, but it is my understanding that is frowned on if I were a female traveling alone I sure as hell wouldn't trying to sit at one.
Again there is no problem if in touristy area of Marrakesh or something.
Another example is bars. We found one in Fez and went charging in, it was almost like the scene in movies where the music scratches to a stop and everyone looks at the person standing in the door. It was about a 40 dudes in there, all staring at my wife like "are you f-ing kidding her coming in here?" We left.
She also had a few incidents of butt grabbing and people commenting in Arabic/Berber that she couldn't understand but could tell the tone.
Morocco is a lot of fun and you can see some amazing stuff, but single woman traveling alone can have some challenges.
Do you ever travel alone abroad as a woman? Where have you traveled to and from? Do you recommend it? Is it better to stick with a tour guide/troupe if you can afford it? And if you can't...?
I don't mind traveling alone domestically but traveling alone abroad would make me very uncomfortable... I am considering stepping outside of my comfort zone though but I just want to be safe. These are the countries I'm interested in:
-Mongolia
-Morocco
-Thailand
-Greece
Greece and Thailand I've been to and loved it, I went there with the boys on holiday but I think they are ok for yourself.
But like anywhere it's just being street smart and having common sense but I'm sure you would be fine.
Do you ever travel alone abroad as a woman? Where have you traveled to and from? Do you recommend it? Is it better to stick with a tour guide/troupe if you can afford it? And if you can't...? I'm not a woman but I do travel alone a good bit and I have been to three out of the four places listed.
I don't mind traveling alone domestically but traveling alone abroad would make me very uncomfortable... I am considering stepping outside of my comfort zone though but I just want to be safe. These are the countries I'm interested in:
-Mongolia-Been there. I think you'll be fine but you may get stared at quite a bit. There doesn't seem to be many westerners passing through since it's so remote. The people are generally friendly and I think you'll be pretty safe as long as you practice common sense. Not a ton of English speakers there though so expect some communication difficulties at times. If you go be sure to check out the Gadantegchenlen Monastary and the National Culture show in Ulaanbataar.
-Morocco-Never been but I've heard it isn't particularly wise for a woman to travel alone there.
-Thailand-Been there. You shouldn't have any problem. Just watch it around the party districts.
-Greece-Been there. I think you'll be safe if you use common sense. Athens has some slightly sketchy areas but it's really not too bad. It's probably even safer in the smaller towns and islands.
I've traveled alone to Morocco. I felt safe but was stared at a lot. I know I (unknowingly) broke a few unwritten social rules, but overall, I was okay and assume it was brushed off because I was clearly a tourist. I was often the only woman in cafes, but the waitstaff were really kind. The most contact I had with other woman were in the markets.
Thailand won't be a problem It's such a tourist-geared economy, and if you're really worried about personal security, various precautions* I've seen others recommend are very cheap (relative to NY, London, Tokyo, etc) in Thailand.
*Precautions such as only booking 4 or 5 star international chain hotels, private/hotel cars between airport<--->hotel, using group tours to see attractions, and so on.
That said, go to an easier destination like Thailand. When your traveller-experience and confidence grows, you'll realize that the world isn't as scary as we Americans have been led to believe.
I have traveled alone to few countries but not the once you listed. Although Morocco is on top of my list. However, I am married now so no more solo trip. The first solo trip I took to Italy I was scared so I called the hotel & asked them to send me a cab. I figure that way someone knows I am coming & I am not hopping on any random cab. But when I did my 2nd solo trip in EU to Paris, I didn't bother with all these. I took the train and found my way. I would say I was less concern about being mistreated or kidnapped on my 2nd trip than I was on my first.
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