Oh man I LOVE solo travel, have been doing it forever (when single and in relationships). My latest obsesh has been Namibia and I’ve ‘lone wolf’ travelled five times now. Each and every time I go the car rental people warn me ‘it’s not safe or natural for a woman to drive around Namibia on her own’. So I just go back, alone, out of spite really
Beautiful writing Diana! Traveling solo used to be the only way I traveled and for years I loved it and couldn't imagine anything different. But lately when I've traveled solo I've found it kind of lonely. I'm not sure if it's because I'm older and I travel differently now or what. When I used to travel it was so easy to meet people. Now it feels like everyone is on their phone, not looking up.
I was accosted on the street and had my wallet stolen in Amsterdam (two separate incidents) while solo traveling. So I got on a plane and went to Nice, where I met an ex-boyfriend who took good care of me after my ordeal. (I am not above saying it's ok to have a man take care of you, especially when you have been accosted and pickpocketed.) I have never stopped solo traveling.
Great to hear your stories, Diana - I am so sorry for what's going on in Israel.
You nailed it! Only women are targeted by the travel industry as "solo travelers" as far as I can tell. And "targeted" has layers of meaning in this case, as you point out here!! This needs a wider audience IMHO.
I've been thinking lately about Portrait vs landscape photos as I've seen so many people holding their phones upright to take photos of things like landscapes and sunsets - things that are probably best photographed landscape - and it's made me realise just how ingrained in us it is now to travel in a way that will be most easily reproducible on instagram or tiktok. At some point, I want to go on a trip with only a film camera (with limited film) to see if that changes how I prioritize what I do and see.
Great piece, engaging writing, thank you! I remember also been told on multiple occasions how "brave" I was for travelling alone as a woman ( did they implicitly mean reckless?). As if my activity was unnusual and uncommon... Where was my chaperone? I can hardly imagine my make counterparts getting such comments.
Beautiful piece of writing.
Oh man I LOVE solo travel, have been doing it forever (when single and in relationships). My latest obsesh has been Namibia and I’ve ‘lone wolf’ travelled five times now. Each and every time I go the car rental people warn me ‘it’s not safe or natural for a woman to drive around Namibia on her own’. So I just go back, alone, out of spite really
What a fun piece to read! And I can say from many experiences - you are a great travel companion!
love from your mom
Beautiful writing Diana! Traveling solo used to be the only way I traveled and for years I loved it and couldn't imagine anything different. But lately when I've traveled solo I've found it kind of lonely. I'm not sure if it's because I'm older and I travel differently now or what. When I used to travel it was so easy to meet people. Now it feels like everyone is on their phone, not looking up.
Great piece, Diana! My story. Moral? Don't forget extra door locks and alarms.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dispatchesfromoutwest/p/a-bra-flip-flops-and-no-i-wont-open?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1grj2r
I was accosted on the street and had my wallet stolen in Amsterdam (two separate incidents) while solo traveling. So I got on a plane and went to Nice, where I met an ex-boyfriend who took good care of me after my ordeal. (I am not above saying it's ok to have a man take care of you, especially when you have been accosted and pickpocketed.) I have never stopped solo traveling.
Great to hear your stories, Diana - I am so sorry for what's going on in Israel.
You nailed it! Only women are targeted by the travel industry as "solo travelers" as far as I can tell. And "targeted" has layers of meaning in this case, as you point out here!! This needs a wider audience IMHO.
I've been thinking lately about Portrait vs landscape photos as I've seen so many people holding their phones upright to take photos of things like landscapes and sunsets - things that are probably best photographed landscape - and it's made me realise just how ingrained in us it is now to travel in a way that will be most easily reproducible on instagram or tiktok. At some point, I want to go on a trip with only a film camera (with limited film) to see if that changes how I prioritize what I do and see.
Great piece, engaging writing, thank you! I remember also been told on multiple occasions how "brave" I was for travelling alone as a woman ( did they implicitly mean reckless?). As if my activity was unnusual and uncommon... Where was my chaperone? I can hardly imagine my make counterparts getting such comments.