Girls CAN travel the world … solo

When I booked my trip to Europe in January 2010, no one could wipe the smile off of my face.

It all happened when I turned 30. I was laying on a beach in Croatia on the first true vacation of my adult life. It was there I realized I wanted to go against the norm. To break free from being on that “career path” everyone is taught to follow. And, so I did.

Within two months from returning from Croatia, I was on the phone with United, trading in my miles for two airline tickets — one in March from DC to London; another in September from Croatia to DC. From there, everything came together — buying the backpack, researching locations I wanted to visit, quitting my job, putting my life in storage.

I began to tell people about my adventure. Friends, family … really anyone who would listen.

“Guess what?!” It would typically begin. “I am quitting my job and going to Europe. It’s my dream and I finally decided I am going to do it.”

The person on the receiving end of the news would smile, pat me on the proverbial back for quitting my miserable job, and begin to ask questions. Then, I would drop the bomb.

“I’m going alone.”

Silence.

Then this: “Solo? You’re nuts.”

Yes, I knew I would face that statement many, many times as I began to tell more people of my plans. The general consensus was I, as a female, should not be backpacking solo through any foreign country. This was always backed with those “what if …” questions, which I largely shrugged off.

Of course I knew that as a solo female traveler I would have to be extra careful. No walking alone at night. No going home with strangers. Locking my train door when I slept. Checking in with family and friends as often as possible.

Last March, I strapped on that massive backpack and headed to London. And then Ireland. And then Spain. And later, Rwanada, Morocco and Turkey. In all, I hit 18 countries in a little under seven months. In the back of my mind, I remembered all the words of caution told to me.

Had I given more thought to the people who said I couldn’t/shouldn’t travel solo as a female, I would never have embarked on the most amazing experience of my life. I went to places I never imagined. Sure, there were some obstacles along the way which made it difficult to be a solo female traveler — especially in countries where gender roles are clearly not what I am used to as an American, but I held my head high, didnt take any crap, and came out the better for it.

Now, instead of people telling me I was “nuts,” they look at me and tell me I was “brave” and they couldnt imagine being a solo female traveler.

Even now, after being back in America for seven months, I take great satisfaction in knowing I did something against the grain. I turned a “girls can’t” into “girls can.”

And, so can you.

Find me at: http://www.dtravelsround.com