This article might appear biased, one sided, narrow minded, geared toward women, not male oriented, but men can read it also.  Traveling solo is becoming more of a way of life for men and women.  You can’t always find that rare personality who will compliment your travels.  In fact, many times when couples travel, there may be some contentious moments.  I’m thinking of a few right now!  Or you may be that individual who loves travel for what it is – adventure, escape education, enlightenment, or just plain fun! 

My thoughts on solo travel began to stir when I was asked by a girl friend to join her on a trip to Mexico - .   Although we’ll be in a resort area, there are opportunities to get out and tour the areas outside of the resort, which means rubbing elbows with the locals and trying my hand at bargaining and Spanish.  Would I have chose to do this alone?  I don’t know.  I remember my experiences in Jamaica with the culture and immersed in the middle of Montego Bay’s populous.  That was eye opening for this country girl who never traveled before.  In fact scary!  And I was with a group of people I knew. 

For you girls out there senior and non-senior age that don’t travel, but want to, get your feet wet by first traveling around in your country.     I’m USA based so my “feet wetting experiences have been to drive California Highway One alone, take a week long sail on a schooner out of Maine, be jostled from airport to airport while experiencing plane problems (mechanical), re-routes, taxis, rental cars, disrupted hotel arrangements, and getting lost in unfamiliar places.  Sometimes the cell phone was available and other times – no signal!  Can you hear me now?

I remember with tears streaming down my face as I stood looking at a familiar home environment with suitcase in hand starting out on my first journey – my husband turned me toward the door and said, “You can do it.”  That was the beginning of freedom.  Once again, I find myself facing those same feelings as we plan to set out to Mexico.   I’ve been told by those who travel in foreign countries with no ability to speak the language of the locale, that it can be the loneliest feeling in the world even when surrounded by hundreds of people.  Language is what ties us together. 

Senior solo traveler, you must first become aware of everything around you.  Complacency and unawareness will put you in danger of being a target of pickpockets, muggers, and anyone looking to take advantage of you.  That goes for men and women!  Learn to sharpen your awareness.  The best way to do this is take yourself out to eat, alone.  As you enter the restaurant pause and look it over – you decide where you’d like to sit and communicate that to the host or hostess.   Do some “people watching” while waiting for your food.  Try and sharpen your memory by picking out someone to remember their appearance, clothing, hair color.  Do this several times.  It is amazing at how much we overlook when we are in the same surroundings day after day.  Get in touch with yourself.  Can you feel your clothing touching your body?  Learn to tune into sights, sounds, sensations, and odors.  Having every fiber in your body at its keenest will not only keep you safer; you’ll enjoy the experiences of your surrounds much better!    

Remember that when you travel outside of your country, you are another’s guest.  When rules are broken you’ll pay the consequences.  So take common sense and manners with you.  If it wasn’t acceptable at home, it’s probably not acceptable abroad.  Be well informed about the area you plan to travel to.  And for sure when in another country:  NEVER ACCEPT RIDES UNLESS YOUR RESORT HAS ARRANGED IT FOR YOU.  The concierge can arrange reputable taxis or shuttle transportation which will keep you relatively safe during travel.  There are true stories of taxi rape, robbery, and kidnapping which have occurred in some countries because of unscrupulous individuals.  Americans must be extremely cautious when traveling abroad especially since 9-11. 

Night time can be especially hazardous when traveling solo.  Even here in the US there are some areas that are safer being indoors than out.  You may be an innocent traveler trying to enjoy your trip, while others may misconstrue your intentions because of who you are, where you are, the time of day, or what you’re wearing.  (I didn’t make the rules – I just understand them, culturally).

Besides just being street smart and world conscious, you need to make sure you are equipped for the area you’ll plan to travel.  Know the culture, the area events, locate a map, use a translation device if necessary, keep plenty of small bills in the local currency which can be exchanged at a bank or local exchange office within the airport.  Avoid any monetary exchanges off the street; currency in many nations could be fake which would cause you BIG problems if you pass on these counterfeit bills. 

Preparing for my Mexico trip, I found a book which gives no-nonsense travel advice:  Jay Ben-Lesser’s “A Foxy Old Woman’s Guide to Traveling Alone.”  You can find this online at .    Also check out Roy Haynes and Frank Rosetti’s book, “Personal Security and Terrorism Awareness.  Tango Diva is an online magazine for women who travel solo and want to share their experiences and also look for acquaintances for travel together .  Whether a diva traveling, a solo senior, or housewife fed up with status quo, taking travel seriously will reward you with a great trip and many happy memories!  Happy Solo Traveling!