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Home » Practical » Your Frequently Asked Questions: Safety

Your Frequently Asked Questions: Safety

September 24, 2013 Practical, Travel

This week I’ll be answering a series of questions I received during my months away.  Monday – Friday will each be centered around a different theme, so be sure to check back daily for your question!  I’ll also link the entire series together into one page, available at the end of the week.

 

On Safety

Take calculated risks.  A little danger is good for you. But be smart enough to minimize the potential for situations that could ruin your trip.

 

You went to ___! Why? Wasn’t it dangerous?

Yes, I went to Turkey (no, it wasn’t dangerous.)  Yes, I went to India as a woman and (no, I did not get “Delhi Belly,” and I was not harassed, other than by touts.)   Yes, I visited Burma/Myanmar despite having read the news and having zero idea of what to expect.  These are three of my absolute favorite countries in the world…and to think I almost didn’t go to them!
Yes, I went to Egypt (on a tour, and left the morning of the second revolution. Though I would not recommend this today, I am glad I went when I did.)  Yes, I went into the West Bank while in Israel and I gained a perspective I quite simply couldn’t have gotten without visiting myself. I’ll admit there are times I ventured to places where my personal safety was at slightly greater risk, but this entire trip was a risk.  The only way to guarantee your safety is to stay at home…and never leave.  No thanks.  So, in the places I wanted to visit that made me a bit nervous, I did some reading and I chose to listen to my gut instead of concerned family members or the news.
Arm yourself with knowledge from your country’s state department, or better yet, someone who has actually been there.  Certainly something awful could have happened to me, but I believe it is much less likely than we’re made to believe, and to me, the rewards were far worth the risk.
A friend I was traveling with who had been living in China told the story of Chinese students who were preparing to visit America.  They kept asking her if it was safe. How could they not be concerned after reading the media coverage of the dozens of mass shootings across the country?  Would this be enough to deter YOU from visiting the United States?  Something to think about.
In other words, read the news…but don’t let the news alone dictate your choices.

 

How do you stay safe as a female traveler?

Always have an exit plan.  Don’t be afraid to trust others (it’s where some of best moments of travel will originate) but never put yourself in a situation without a figurative, and sometimes literal, exit door.
Listen to your instincts about people, and keep your awareness level high.  If you’ve got a strange feeling about a person or a place, there’s likely a reason why.  Always be aware of your surroundings, and use your exit strategy when in doubt.
Don’t flaunt your valuables (if you are toting any.)  This is common sense that unfortunately, some travelers forget. Lock your bag.  Hide your computer in your room.  Don’t carry exorbitant amounts of cash.  Don’t make it easy for someone to walk away with your things.
Make an effort to blend in with local customs and dress. Keep the target off your back.  Wear local (modest) clothing, speak a few words of the local language, have local law enforcement or a local contact’s number available, and respect the local ways of living (in other words, if a local woman wouldn’t do it, maybe you shouldn’t either.)  There are certain places in the world where it might be smart to not make eye contact with the opposite sex or to drop that “your husband is waiting for you back at the hotel.”  The truth is, however, that the majority of people will treat you with dignity, respect, and genuine kindness.  This is the far more important takeaway from any journey where I worry about my safety.
Learn from other travelers before you.  I utilized many of the safety tips from other blogs that kept my peace of mind in tact on the road, everything from carrying yourself with confidence to carrying things like a doorstop and a safety whistle.
Finally: don’t worry so much.  Quite simply, the world is much safer than we give it credit for.  Be prepared for the worst, and then choose to see the good.  While unfortunate events can and do happen to travelers, the same is certainly true for people who drive cars.  That doesn’t stop most of us from driving around town every day.
Your personal safety should always be a priority.  Before you let fear stop you from ever leaving your house (or the country,) stop and think about the real risk, and what you may be losing by not taking one at all.  The more we travel, the more we realize that people are generally good.  For every time I’ve been nervous or felt unsafe while traveling, there’ve been at least five times someone has shown me random kindness. Do your best to maximize the possibility of positive experiences.  Then go out there and face the dangers of this world…I know it won’t be as scary as you think.
Or you could always do something drastic, like…dyeing your hair.

Anne brunette

Reality check: are you letting fear and concern for your safety stop you from traveling?  Or from traveling to certain places? What steps do you take to put your mind at ease, whether at home or while traveling?

Up next: On People

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Winner of Gold and Silver 2019 Solas Awards for Best Travel Writing.

About Anne

Anne Lowrey is an award-winning travel writer based in San Francisco.

After spending a year in the world, she insisted on building a life at home she loved as much as she loves travel. The result was a move to SF, which she affectionately calls her “soul city.” She believes in the balance of and connection between time spent at home and abroad.

Comments

  1. Lianne says

    September 24, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    That is so true about relative ideas of safety, and people’s impressions of the US. A student once, relatively recently, told me that her other teacher (a man I know and respect but who’s British) was telling her the US is dangerous and it made her scared to go there.
    Love the look on your face in the alligator photo, by the way.

    Reply
    • Anne says

      September 24, 2013 at 8:45 pm

      I think that’s something most Americans don’t realize…we feel so safe at home, but if you put yourself in the shoes of someone who isn’t American? I don’t know that I would feel great about visiting America, based on the news alone… It’s a helpful reminder for me when thinking about my impressions of other nations without actually having been there myself.
      And thanks! Holding that croc was one of the scarier moments of my trip. 😛

      Reply

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  1. Your Frequently Asked Questions: Places - Part Time Traveler says:
    August 4, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    […] of questions I received during my months away.  So far we’ve covered affording travel, safety, and interacting with people.  I’ll also link the entire series together into one page, […]

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I’m Anne! I spend part of my time traveling the world and the other part living in my soul city, San Francisco.

I have a love for all things travel. I also have a love for nesting. I do NOT believe the two have to be mutually exclusive. If you seek that balance…you’ve come to the right place.

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Factoring in a little one has both changed and rei Factoring in a little one has both changed and reinforced how I travel. For so long accommodations have been “just a place to sleep” for me, so I could prioritize my time and money elsewhere.

Now, whether it’s nap schedules or simply the ability for my husband and I to relax longer on a given afternoon, it’s great to be able to experience a destination right from the front step (or even better, from bed.) 🌄

What’s stayed the same, of course, is that a change of place and pace is incredibly restorative and energizing — and you don’t have to go far to get that.

Thank you to @innabovetide for the perfect weekend stay right on the bay. It was just what our family needed 🤍 #parttimetraveler #sausalito #besthotels
Thinking back to my last trip before taking my nex Thinking back to my last trip before taking my next one (with baby!) and wishing I could transport here for a cornetto and cappuccino ☕️

Meanwhile, please send any and all tips for traveling with a five-month-old. (Also, send coffee. All the coffee.)
—
 #parttimetraveler #piedmonte #italianlife #caffè #pasticeria
After the rain. 🌁 #alwaysSF #goldengatebridge After the rain.
🌁 

#alwaysSF #goldengatebridge
Walks around the city look a bit different these d Walks around the city look a bit different these days 🤍

It’s been three months now since I became a mama. It’s the single greatest life transition I’ve ever undergone.

The amount of love I have for my son is immeasurable. But being a new mother is not easy — no matter how well you heal, how much (or really, how little) you sleep, or how much you love your babe. For me it is humbling how challenging it can be and, at the same time, how happy it can make you.

Mamas, I see you. What a profound thing it is to care for a new life.
—
#citybaby #fourthtrimester #newmama
Mendocino moments ✨ Just a few hours drive up t Mendocino moments ✨

Just a few hours drive up the coast from SF, being here always feels like a breath of fresh air (maybe because it is?) The redwood-lined drive in alone puts me instantly at ease. (Balm for this tired new mama’s soul.) 

Even better we were able to visit with baby and dog in tow 🤍 Have you been? 

Don’t miss walking the trail along the headlands, hiking, biking, or canoeing Big River, and the wonderfully fresh seafood and/or produce.

 #parttimetraveler #mendocino #weekendgetaway #dogfriendly
Introducing my son, Luca. He entered this world a Introducing my son, Luca. He entered this world a mere six weeks ago and he is everything 🤍

His name means “bringer of light” and he is the light of our lives. And while we are currently cocooning in the comfort of our family and our home, I can’t wait to take him on adventures and show him the beauty of this world.
One year as man and wife 🤍 highly recommend bot One year as man and wife 🤍 highly recommend both city hall weddings and marrying your favorite person. 15/10, would marry again (I’d choose you over and over and over.)
📷: @amandaweiphoto 

#happyanniversary #myperson #weddingday #sfcityhallwedding
Waiting for baby 💛 I’ve dreamt of becoming a Waiting for baby 💛 I’ve dreamt of becoming a mother as long as I can remember. I stand here, in the final weeks before birth, in some pain and discomfort (the end of pregnancy is no joke,) but mostly in awe of the female body and this experience of growing a life that’s about to enter this world. 

We are beyond excited to meet you, little  one!✨#37weekspregnant #selfportrait #maternityphotos #almostbabytime
Like all of us, the past few years has meant a lot Like all of us, the past few years has meant a lot less part-time travel and a lot more…full-time homebody. I haven’t shared much about my own house in San Francisco, but perhaps it’s time for that to change!

My husband and I merged existing furniture and styles before we were even in this space. And as we prepare to welcome baby, the nesting urge is strong (plus we’ll be spending even more time in our home!) So it feels like a good time to refresh our space to suit both of us cohesively.

Although I already had a plan in mind for the nursery design, when @thehavenly reached out to work together I knew our living room, the heart of our home, could use some fine tuning. I’ve independently used them before to affordably design our home office (soon-to-be nursery or I’d share!) and loved it, so I jumped at the chance to be a #Havenly ambassador. 

I’m working 1:1 with a talented designer now (stay tuned!) and will also share a 25% off discount soon if you’d like to do the same. They also have a fun design quiz (linked in bio) to help you figure out your style. 
More to come! 💛
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