Travelling alone

As I said in my previous blog, I am off to South and Central America for a couple of months at the end of November and, at this stage, it looks as though I'll be travelling on my own. I must admit, this is a bit of a daunting prospect and isn't exactly ideal, but it's something I feel ok about. I've wanted to travel South America ever since I've wanted to come to Canada, which first became a possibility back in 2005, but due to life and things and stuff, it didn't start to become an actuality until last year.

I haven't really done much travelling on my own before. I backpacked around Europe four years ago with a girlfriend and I've spent a few days here and there on my own, but I haven't been anywhere, by myself, in a potentially dangerous and non-English speaking country before. I'd rather be travelling with someone, and that's not just because of the safety issue - I'd love to be able to share my experiences and adventures with someone. I still laugh and reminisce about the things that happened when we travelled Europe with the friend I went with, and I think I will miss being able to share the trip with someone close to me. But, as the same friend pointed out, I am choosing to do this because I really want to see South America and if I didn't, I wouldn't be going. This is something that is certainly going to put me out of my comfort zone, which in itself is something I am always keen to do.

I've scoured the internet to see what other women think about travelling on their own in that part of the world and it seems to me that if you are pretty sensible and travel savvy, which I like to think I am, and make yourself aware of the potential dangers, they can be avoided fairly easily. I've read that it's a good idea to wear a band on your ring finger and invent a husband or boyfriend - apparently if you 'belong' to another man, you are less likely to get harassed (sexism abounds). I am prepared that as a western, blonde woman, I will probably get a bit of attention - I guess I just have to practice saying "Por favor, déjame en paz" (Please, leave me alone). Of course, I get the stories about the friend of a friend who got mugged and raped by a taxi driver, or the girl who befriended a seemingly helpful man on a bus and had all her money stolen but as far as I'm concerned, this could happen anywhere and to anyone, and I don't want to let the possibility of negative things happening prevent me from doing what I really want. Before I drove around Australia in a clapped out van, almost everyone asked me if I'd seen the movie Wolf Creek. and despite the fact that the van broke down in the outback several times, I didn't meet any murderous bushmen.

Of course I am looking forward to the freedom of travelling on my own - being able to go where I want, when I want and how I want, being able to make last minute changes to plans and not having to make sure it's ok with someone else. One of the aspects of this trip I am looking forward to the most is meeting new people along the way - like-minded travelling types - and being on your own makes it more of a priority and somewhat easier to make new friends. So bring it on, I say - new challenges and new adventures!