Solo female travel-safety best practice tips Part I

1.       Make sure your legal and financial affairs are in order months before departure

“Plan for the worst.  Hope for the best” is the mantra of financial planners and advisers.  Unexpected emergencies and catastrophic events can happen at any moment. The risk increases with foreign travel.  Anticipating possible risks and implementing contingency plans to mitigate  risks is not only prudent but a responsibility. So a few items:

a.       Designate a general power of attorney to handle your financial affairs in your absence.

b.      Update your will and if applicable, your trust

c.       Create a health care directive. Appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions for you in the event of your incapacitation.

d.      Obtain travel insurance. Most health insurance plans will not cover your medical expenses abroad in the event of your sickness or accident. Selecting the amount of coverage will depend on the length of stay, trip activities, and travel destination. Make sure you have ample coverage in the case of medical evacuation, disability, hospital stay. Travel Guard by Chartis and Travelers Insurance are two reputable companies.

 

2.       Plan to arrive during the day

It is easier to navigate a new city during daylight. Shops, hotels, public transportation will be open for business and more people will be roaming about.  It will be easier to get your bearings acclimated and you’ll feel more at ease mentally.

 

3.       Inform key people of your itinerary

a.       Provide a copy of your itinerary, accommodation information,  travel and medical insurance to family members, trusted friends, or advisers. In the event of a medical or physical emergency, they will be armed with the necessary information to coordinate assistance on your behalf.

b.      Register your trip online with the US State Department Smart Travelers Program.  Your registration will inform the local US embassy at the host country of your presence. In the event of a natural disaster or safety concerns, the local US embassy will notify you. They will also help replace your lost or stolen passport and contact your family in the states in the event of an emergency.

c.       Send emails, post on facebook or even tweet as a way to inform loved ones of your whereabouts.

4.       Research the local customs and culture

This is a great opportunity to learn more about your travel destination and also to protect yourself.  This is especially important when traveling to non-western countries. If a country is highly conservative, paternalistic, females travelling solo are seen as an oddity and hence vulnerable. It is imperative to blend in and not draw too much unwanted attention. Prior to my visit to Tanzania, I  utilized the opportunity to learn about the local culture and role of women in Tanzania. Recognizing that Tanzania is highly conservative (for example most women do not drive), I elected to wear loose-fitted safari shirts with mid length sleeves, long pants, hiking boots and a wedding band. I also kept my hair tied in a ponytail and bun throughout the trip duration. I implemented precautions to ensure my dress style matched the attire of the local women. Best country reports.com is a reputable resource on the local culture and countries worldwide.

a.       Dress conservatively-wear long pants and long shirts for example. Keep the high heels, shorts, tank tops at home. Try to show little skin. In some cultures, hair is considered seductive. Wear a head dress if it is customary or tie your hair in a bun or ponytail.

b.      Consider wearing a wedding band. I wear a band when I travel solo and it is an effective repellent of unwanted male attention. 

5.       Self Defense

The best self-defense is prevention and deterrence. Adhering to local customs and dress; wearing a wedding band; restricting activities to the daytime; utilizing advice from local hotel concierge concerning streets or places to avoid; Cat calls, whistles, obscene gestures, and unwanted attention are bound to happen. In most cases, ignoring or feigning ignorance quickly dispels the poor conduct. In other cases, use clear, loud direct voice to indicate your displeasure and desire to be left alone. Memorize key phrases in the local language such as “Stop”, “help”, “leave me alone”. Take the opportunity to get to know the local women. Often times, they will give you helpful safety tips and offer group protection from unwanted attention. At my hotel in Moshi, I made a concerted effort to befriend the female hotel supervisor. As a result, I received helpful treatment from the staff and a nice quieter room.

Lastly consider taking a self-defense course prior to your departure. In addition to equipping you with tools to protect yourself, knowing self-defense techniques instills confidence. Your body language naturally changes to non-verbally communicate strength and control. This new found confidence serves as a powerful deterrent from potential assailants and would be harassers. Lastly, be aware of your surroundings and refrain from looking at maps, talking on cellphone while walking on the streets. You need to keep a watchful eye on what is happening around you and you don’t want to look like an unsuspecting tourist.