Go Safe and not so Solo Irish Times Travel 11th October 2008

It was with alarm that I read Roisin Sarohan's article 'The World at My Feet' in Go the Irish Times travel magazine on Saturday.

The article was inspiring, it was this that alarmed me.

Roisin, like many other female lone travellers, had a magical journey. I feel sure that young women all over Ireland will be looking to gap years, career breaks or their childless years to replicate such a trip.

Before reaching for an atlas or Lonely Planet guide I would urge them to stop. Think, plan and ensure that you are equipped in every way to take on the rigors of your destination.

What is necessary is detailed research of the areas you intend to visit. Not only the travel industries representations, but the actual newspapers and website news of the current levels of violence, rape and crime in the area.

The internet has made this possible.

It isn't possible to single out one place, though most would agree that a war zone is not a good bet. There are parts of the globe where lawlessness and violent crime are more prevalent. This information is harder to come by.

Governments place caveats on certain areas on their embassy and visa websites. Trip Advisor and other travel websites include actual traveller's experiences. For the most part travellers speak of positive experiences, these sites are less likely to feature negative ones.

Real information can be found on websites of local papers; which is fine if language is not a barrier. Translation is more possible with recent technology.

Local women's networks are a priceless source of information and advice. Communicate with women's organisations in your destination during your planning stage. Contact your own and other government's websites to get general advice on areas to avoid.

It would be wrong for me, or anyone, to say 'don't do it, its dangerous', as the evidence is that many women have successful and fulfilling experiences of travelling alone.

What is missing in the hard sell of the travel industry is the reality check.

My own experience was negative, to the extent that I have stopped travelling completely. My teenage daughter is planning to see as much of the world as possible. I won't say to her 'no, don't go', to do that would be akin to telling her not to get married because of a failed marriage.

What I will be telling her is the truth, its a beautiful world with a dangerous underbelly. That if the worst does happen that help, support and advice on recovery are rarities. That consullar support can be impossible to access and that a protective safety net is a myth.

When you Go Solo you take a risk, a huge risk, the 'world at your feet' can become your own world at your ankles.

I could warn travellers that Belize is a lawless destination where tourists are regularly ambushed at the borders with Guatemala. I could suggest that this is true of some other parts of the world. Yet, who would have thought that a young German traveller would have been murdered on her visit to Newgrange. Would she have found an indication anywhere that Drogheda was a dangerous place?

If I am saying anything useful at all on experiencing the beauty of this world, it is this - there is increased safety in organised travel in groups. There are many organised, team led, travel experiences available. There are also myriad volunteering and development agencies that can facilitate a first hand experience of being abroad.

If you are determined to go out there alone - plan it.

You can always change a plan should safe adventure come your way. Make sure that you know everything about the area before you go. Keep a constant link with home, so that abduction or disappearance is quickly evident. Spend serious money on accommodation, mobile technology, safe transport and planning.

Go out there and have fun - help and advice is just a click away.

Ed.

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