My First Solo Travel Preparations
Shaping Cultural Experiences
Travel has been an integral part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a multicultural, bilingual home in the Netherlands with a Polish mother and a Dutch father. My
Update & BBC News Link
A brief update: One interview video will be uploaded tomorrow evening. I believe the BBC News One-Minute World News provides well-balanced reporting of news, hence why I wanted to share it. Top stories on May
From Nigeria to Boston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VNkCazT_T4&feature=youtu.be
When you first meet Oluwagbeminiyi Osidipe, you encounter a very vibrant, friendly, and unique personality. Oluwagbeminiyi or Niyi – as she shortened her name for simplicity – was named by her mother, who had a “very personal experience” when she had her, Niyi explained. Niyi is a Yoruba Nigerian transplant who arrived in the U.S. in 2006. As one of the most densely populated (West) African countries, Nigeria derives its name from the river that spans its land. To the South, it borders the Gulf of Guinea to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally colonized by the British, Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Its main ethnic groups are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, who speak English and their own respective languages, while major religions include Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Niyi shares her story, her views on politics, cultural differences she’s embraced with humor, and what we can learn from each other by expressing curiosity. Her message is simple: travel enriches us through its exposure to new cultures, and enables us to grow.
Mark Twain on Travel
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” (American author Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad).
Have you had the opportunity to travel (extensively, within your country, or even once abroad)? Can you relate to Twain’s sentiments? How does travel enrich us?
Pleasing The Taste Palate
Food has the wonderful quality of uniting us no matter where we are. There is nothing partisan or narrow-minded about food. It simply invites us to indulge, create recipes, and share with others. Two of my favorite Polish dishes (included in collage) are pierogies and barszcz czerwony – a beetroot soup – served on Christmas Eve in Poland. How does food bring us together? What are some of your favorite dishes and why? Can food trigger memories?
Stereotypes: Truth or Fiction?
DEFINING STEREOTYPES: “An idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation.” (Merriam-Webster). Stereotypes enable bias and preconceived notions to perpetuate, but can also reveal valid
Annual Human Rights Report
“The world changed immeasurably over the course of 2011. Across the Middle East, North Africa, and far beyond, citizens stood up to demand respect for human dignity, more promising economic opportunities, greater political liberties, and
Euro Crisis & Emerging Stereotypes
Brief Crisis Breakdown Since the onset of the global financial crisis, or Great Recession, in 2007, the Eurozone has feared impending growing global debt levels, as well as sovereign debt within European countries themselves. In
Remembering Tiananmen
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing, China. Inflation, a lack of career prospects, the fall of Eastern European communism, and political corruption, are all said to have fueled anger
Coffee's Uniting Power
A cup of coffee can bridge cultural gaps. At least, that’s what Gizem Salgicil White, founder of Turkayfe.org, believes. Her organization aims to create awareness of Turkish culture, particularly within America. Gizem is a Turkish native,
Today’s CultureTrav guest post is by Sarah Kearns
The biggest challenge of traveling alone is actually making the decision to hit the road. The reality of it all is quite different to what most folks think, and it’s definitely an experience unlike any other. Once I decided in my head that I want to go on my first solo trip, there were a lot of things that needed to be planned.
From choosing a destination and deciding what to pack to finding a way to deal with loneliness on the road, there is a lot to think about. To help you prepare for your first solo travel, here are a couple of things that first come to mind.
Choosing a Solo Travel Destination
When I started planning my first solo trip back in 2014, the first thing I needed to do is choose where to actually go. I’d spent a couple of days researching different destinations which are known to be good for first-time travelers. However, there is no perfect destination and choosing where to go mostly depends on what you are after.
Since safety should always come first when traveling alone, finding a relatively safe destination is always recommended. It is also important to choose a place that has basic facilities and amenities, especially if this is your first solo travel.
Planning My Arrival
The next step was to plan my arrival and purchase flight tickets. In case you are on a budget, I
recommend booking your tickets at least 3 months in advance and trying not to fly during the busy
season and the holidays. By doing this, you will definitely save some money.
The next thing on my list was arranging transportation from the airport to the city. From buses to taxi transportation, there are always a couple of options available at the airport. However, it’s best to check for prices and timetables in advance to avoid unnecessary complications once you hit the ground.
Booking Accommodation
From Couchsurfing and Airbnb’s to hostels, and private apartments for rent, there are many
accommodation options to choose from when traveling solo. If you have some safety concerns, make
sure to read reviews for Couchsurfing and Airbnb. Travelers who wish to meet new people should
definitely book a dorm bed in a hostel and participate in different activities that many of these places offer nowadays.
In case you wish to have privacy, staying in a hotel or renting an apartment is probably the best option. If you are traveling by car and the accommodation that you’ve booked doesn’t have available parking spots, you can always book a parking space on a sharing community site.
Arranging Tours
One of the best ways to get to know a new destination without any stress is to find a company that does tours of the place you’re about to visit. Some of these companies can also organize accommodation pickup, which is always great. Besides helping you gain a better understanding of the destination you’re in, tours are ideal for solo travelers who wish to meet new people.
I was on a budget, but luckily many places offered reasonably priced and even free walking tours , which was awesome. In case you are having trouble booking these tours online, you can always ask at the reception of the place you are staying at for some recommendations. Some hostels even run their own tours.
Packing Entertainment
To keep you entertained, I recommend packing a few books in your luggage. If you wish to save some
space, bring a tablet with downloaded eBooks to keep yourself occupied in buses and airports. You can also download music and listen to it while exploring new places.
Explore as Much as Possible
This is probably the best advice that I can give. Instead of staying in your hotel or talking to friends online, get out of your comfort zone and go wander the streets, visit a market, hop on a trolley, or go for a hike in the park. Although it can seem a bit scary to travel alone, the best way to get past these issues is by exploring a new destination.
Despite all of its ups and downs, I have to admit that I really liked my first solo travel experience. Although there were certain concerns before hitting the road, this experience was everything I hoped it would be.
Sarah Kearns is a hard working mother of three daughters. She is a part of the team behind ParkHound – a sharing community site where you can find a cheap parking spot. She loves cooking, reading history books and writing about green living.
Hi! I'm the founder of Culture With Travel and #CultureTrav. Please chat with us on social media and contribute in the comments! Follow @Nicolette_O
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My Safety Advice for Female Solo Travel - Culture With Travel
12 Feb 2019[…] could be forgiven to be wary and a little scared before heading off on their own solo adventure so being prepared for your first solo trip is essential for ensuring a safe and fun […]