"Solo travel is a chance to become more courageous and self-confident"
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Woman: What's so sexy about a solo trip?
Carina Herrmann: One is not accountable to anyone. You are free and can decide for yourself when to travel, where to travel, which hotel to choose. And because you have more freedom, you get to know yourself better. Solo travel is an opportunity to become more courageous and self-confident.
That sounds so positive. Do you never feel alone?
Yes, sure! As a solo traveler one is always confronted with loneliness. I get a lot of mails from women who are homesick and wonder what to do. Everybody has these moments. You just have to let yourself be carried away and not to affect acts. Two days later, the world usually looks quite different again.
How does the environment react to women traveling alone?
On my first big trip, I was on the road for 14 months. That's when I realized that it's different if you travel alone as a man or as a woman. In Southeast Asia, for example, traveling as a woman is not normal. There I was often asked if I am married.
How do you deal with that?
That depends on my gut feeling. These questions are usually asked out of curiosity: Why is a woman of my age still single? Sometimes I just cheat and say that my friend is waiting for me at the hotel.
Are you traveling alone in the evening or at night?
Rare. Either I connect with other travelers or I already know the environment well, feel safe and dare to go out alone. If nobody else is on the street, I would not go out.
Are you still afraid sometimes?
I am a chronic coward, so yes. Even after all my travels, there are always situations in which I feel uncomfortable. But meanwhile I can weigh very well which risks I take. It is always good to stay alert. As a long-term traveler you will eventually looser and overlooks dangers that you might have noticed at the beginning.
Have you ever experienced a dangerous situation?
Toi, toi, toi, nothing has ever happened to me! But there were already situations that were critical. Once I arrived in Istanbul at night. I was too stingy for a taxi and walked the streets looking for my hotel. There were only men in the street, I followed one into an alley. He could not speak German and gave me signs. I was sloppy, it could have been someone else. But thank God, he turned out to be the owner of the hotel, which I had chosen.
How do you overcome the fear?
Good preparation is important: The better I know what to expect, the better I feel. If you're really scared, it's good to plan the first week in detail. The hotel is booked, maybe even a tour. If you make the beginning easier, it will eventually go by itself.
Carina Herrmann - here in the Jordanian rock city of Petra - operates the blog www.pinkcompass.de, which is aimed at women traveling alone.
Which countries do you recommend traveling alone women?
Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, USA and Canada. Australia is very pleasant for the first trip alone, because there are many travelers. The infrastructure is good and easy to find connection. Indonesia - especially Bali - I can also recommend. It is Asian and alien but touristy enough to travel alone. In general, it is easier in countries that are similar to our culture and well developed for tourism.
Are there countries that you better avoid as a woman?
Every woman has to find that out for herself. For example, it does not necessarily attract me to India. This is less due to my fear than the prevailing image of women.
What makes a good hostel for women?
I am an advocate of women's dorms. So hostels with dormitories for women. Here are women among themselves. Especially as a beginner you feel better among girls and you can find allies.
What about couch surfing? Is this safe for single women?
That can not be answered flat rate. There are many women who also stay with men. I prefer to sleep with women. There is now also a great platform for women, www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk.
They are traveling a lot. How do you finance your trips?
First, I traveled from my savings. I had also budgeted for the time after the trip. Meanwhile my blog Pink Compass finances my travels. Every month I have 10,000 readers and earn 1000 to 1200 euros with product recommendations, my e-book and advice for travelers.
Would you actually get on the plane with a partner?
I would never give up a trip for someone.But if I meet someone with whom it fits and with whom you develop a common vision, a journey together would be conceivable.
