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Of course, the biggest concern when traveling alone and even with others is safety. Is the country I’m going to a safe place for me? What are the people like? Am I really safe? Especially as a woman of color you never know when you might run into someone who might look at you the wrong way or act very negatively towards you.
I’ve come to the realization that you have to stop letting these things hold you back from experiencing someplace new. Of course, there are horror stories you hear and people who really do have some bad experiences, but no matter where you are you should always have your guard up. Follow these tips to help you stay safe while traveling:
Stay Safe Tip #1
Research where you are traveling to beforehand. Find out the areas that are safer for tourists and the areas where you should avoid them. There are countless vlogs/blogs like this one ;). Information on google and books like “lonely planet” that share information about neighborhoods in different countries. If you use these to your advantage you’ll be able to discover the places where you should be.
Tip #2
Register with your country’s embassy in your area, they always give alerts to what is happening in that country. Registering with the embassy gives your home country a heads up that you are in this new area. You will receive emails on updates about potentially dangerous situations happening in the country that you should avoid.
Tip #3
Don’t walk around aimlessly without being aware of your surroundings. Wandering around is a great way to explore new areas but make sure you know where you are, where you are walking into, and who is around you. If you are especially walking alone, I recommend not flaunting any materials that will catch the eyes of someone.
Tip #4
Check up on medical requirements. Some countries require you to have specific medical updates before entering. It is best to get on the embassy page of said country to make sure you fit all the requirements before traveling. Also check with your doctors before traveling, they will be able to tell you what needs to be done before you leave.
Tip #5
Get travel medical insurance if you can afford it. Some travel insurances can be pretty expensive, if that is out of your budget there is no need to worry. Some credit card companies might even offer some type of travel insurance, if you inquire about yours you might get lucky! It is always best to travel with medication you think you might need while away. I make sure to always carry some pain killers, Benedryl, and bandaids.
Traveling with others whether it is with one person or more, creates some liability. You’ll always have someone watching you and vice versa which makes everything feel safer. If you decide to travel alone, just trust your instincts, they are never wrong! Be careful but still always have fun. Follow these tips and you will always stay safe while traveling!
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