101 things a solo female traveller should learn
- Call your mother more, she worries.
- £7.99 on sunscreen is worth it, sunburnt nipples are not the one
- Start talking about ‘we’, just because you’re solo travelling doesn’t mean the weirdos should know too.
- You’re a warrior queen, you got this.
- If you can’t carry your bag you’re going to regret taking it.
- Memory foam shoes, nuff said.
- Confident, not cocky
- Attempt the language, just because most people speak English doesn’t mean you can be lazy.
- You’ve gotta be afraid to be brave, nerves are normal
- Respect the culture, look it up, learn it.
- Travel scams can happen to anyone, don’t beat yourself up
- Be present.
- Capture the moment, but actually live it. Some of the best nights, the phones stay out of sight.
- Falling in love is inevitable
- You don’t need 2 contour kits, trust me.
- Bring a portable charger.
- Don’t be a travel wanker.
- Your passport is your lifeline, treat it accordingly
- Tampons aren’t common everywhere, if you use them, pack them.
- Get your contraceptive ready before you go.
- The best moments can’t be planned.
- Imodium, imodium, imodium
- Check your destination accepts e-tickets, some still require print outs
- Women are still treated like shit all around the world, you’re doing this for them too.
- How to drop and squat without getting pee on your clothes #skillz
- Packing cubes are a lifesaver
- You will not come back the same person
- Bottled water, even for brushing your teeth
- Wear a wedding band, a simple left hand flash can divert the odd bellend
- Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
- Check the plugs of the country, or better yet invest in a universal adapter
- People come into your life for a reason, a season, a lesson or a blessing.
- Don’t be afraid to create a scene
- Scarfs are your new bestie; modesty ✅ pillow ✅ cover the gaps in the loo ✅
- If you can navigate public transport in foreign symbols at rush hour, you can do anything
- Talcum powder for the chub rub
- Those eat pray love moments when you are just doing this for YOU are moments which you will remember for the rest of your life
- You will find out that the majority of people are good, decent and kind.
- Travel insurance is necessary
- You can do whatever you want.
- You will heal that heart.
- Not everyone will understand why, that’s their loss, don’t stress.
- You will find out more about yourself, more than you could have imagined
- People will try to rip you off and you’ll be smiling because you have no clue what’s happening
- Discomfort is necessary for growth
- McDonald’s have free wifi
- A good book will be your best friend
- Airports are the worst place to spend a hangover
- You are a representative of your nation, don’t be a douche.
- Flip flops in the shower at all times
- You will be lonely at times
- Get someone with a more expensive camera to take your picture, they’re less likely to rob it.
- Not everyone can handle the thought of being alone let alone doing it. You are slaying just booking the ticket.
- Dating will be difficult
- Pass on good fortune
- Trust your instinct
- A durable phone case. You will smash it.
- Stay in touch with old friends, they’ll keep you grounded
- Crying in an airport is strangely therapeutic
- Carry a bank card just in case
- Carry a whistle
- When you’re tipping, check the money. You don’t wanna leave the wrong note.
- Research where you’re going but leave a little room to discover
- Respect religious buildings dress codes, some don’t approve of leggings FYI
- Join a freewalking tour
- Learn the art of minimalist packing
- Bring fake tan if you wear it, finding it elsewhere can be a ball ache
- Be prepared to be alone, finding friends will happen but you may be alone for some time
- Put yourself out there, you have to make the first move sometimes
- Bring some portable speakers for impromptu parties
- Carry details of an emergency contact, someone who is reliable with their phone. Preferably in the language of the place you’re visiting
- Trust your own judgment don’t let people walk all over you and be prepared to confront people when needed.
- Check visa requirements before you arrive
- Take your earphones out, it keeps you safer and you’re more likely to enter into conversations with others
- It’s okay to feel low at points, it’s an experience designed to make you grow.
- Take lots of pictures, they will be amazing memories for you to look back on
- Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting ruined, this is not the time to sport your Louis
- Try and buy your alcohol before 11pm, some countries stop selling around that time
- Wash your knickers in the shower with you, so you always have clean ones
- Nightclub drinks can be well expensive, fill a water bottle with booze, pop the bottle in the sock and place in your bag as a false bottom
- Sign up to Facebook pages to get free entry and tickets
- Getting lost is the best way to know your way around
- Tiger balm heals pretty much anything
- Download the google translate app so you don’t have to use your internet
- Rome2rio is a great app for working out what public transport is best for wherever you wanna go in the world
- Carry a fan for the underground, those places are like the pits of hell
- Check your baggage allowance before you go, you may be allowed a laptop bag too, I used mine to stow away art supplies
- Bring activities that don’t require your phone: colouring, journaling etc you’ll want to conserve your battery
- If you’re going for a long time, get your nails in a good condition so you can go without polish. Otherwise they’ll be permanently chipped
- Don’t stand up in a tuk tuk, you may fall out
- Some airlines won’t let you fly with a Samsung, you know the model that blew up!
- Be aware of political unrest, you don’t want to put your foot in it
- Sometimes the things that will make you cry, are the things that will make you belly laugh in the future
- Research the best public transport ticket for you. Sometimes they include tourist attractions
- However much money you’ll think you need, add 50%
- Keep a journal to look back on the experience
- If your plans change let someone back home know
- Even if you don’t stay in hostels, try drinking or eating in one. A great way to find other solos
- Photocopy your passport, if you lose it, it’s way easier for it to be replaced if you have a copy
- Download whatsapp, every traveller uses whatsapp
- Did I mention Imodium?
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