I have been traveling solo for about 4 years now and I want to share my experiences in hopes of encouraging more Black women to get out in the world and travel. When I tell people that I travel alone, they always want to talk about safety. I decided to create a post to address this issue and concern. The following contains 6 distinct tips on safe travel for African American women. Let me know what you think about the post in the comments!
Safe Travel for African American Women
When I think about what women of color, and specifically African American women have to go through, I think it is important to highlight issues that particularly affect this community. I think that the top issues are racism, hair care, and being fetishized. I want to say that none of this has every been a problem for me, even when it was a concern.
Part of safe travel for African American women needs to be tailored towards empowerment. Whether this is solo travel or group travel, representation matters. Giving a face to Black/ African American travel is vital to keeping the industry alive. I hope that this post plays a small part in this venture.
You Don’t Need To Tell People You’re Traveling Alone
Safe Travel for African American women can be very similar to safe travel for women of other demographics. If you are traveling alone or even traveling in a group, you don’t have to broadcast that. In certain countries you will stand out regardless. That doesn’t mean that you have to put a target on your forehead and bring attention to yourself.
Blending in is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe. I can’t tell you how many times that I have seen women announcing that they are on vacation alone or unfamiliar with an area. It’s fun to go on vacation and meet new people but you have to keep safety in mind. You can still go out and enjoy yourself without telling everyone within earshot that you are new in town and don’t know where you are going.
Stick to Traditional Forms of Travel
When I am traveling I either rely on my own transportation or I will use official taxis. I always research the safest ways to travel around any city that I am going to. When I was traveling through Bulgaria it was one of my biggest safety concerns. There are a lot of countries where there are taxi scams and it is important to know the signs of a legitimate taxi so that you don’t end up getting in trouble.
I also don’t take rides from strangers. Similar to risks at home, when I am abroad I have to pay attention to anyone offering a ride or people that may be wanting to follow me. Whenever it gets dark, I will make sure that I use a professional when it comes to travel. I don’t allow people to walk me home. If I can avoid shortcuts or going down alleys or back roads then I do that. Whatever if takes to remain safe.
Watch Your Personal Space
There have been several times on my travels where people will want to walk up to me. They will attempt to take pictures or want to start a conversation. Not every country is used to Black travelers. Even countries that are known for being safe for Black travelers, have people that will bypass all personal boundaries and want to get in close contact with you.
Don’t be surprised if you see people taking pictures of you. In these cases you will want to make sure that you are watching your personal belongings. You don’t want to get into an issue with a pick pockets because you weren’t paying attention. I really suggest that you get an anti theft back pack and put all of your important items in it. I don’t go anywhere without my anti theft backpack.
Pay Attention to Your Water Source
When I travel abroad I try not to drink from the tap. There are certain countries such as Greece and Italy where the water is safe to drink. I will be in Peru this October and have no plans to have water unless it is from a bottle. My main concern is getting a parasite. The last thing I want to do is get sick in a country where I can’t speak the language. Even worse is to come home with a parasitic companion that will negatively impact my health for an extended period of time.
Download Offline Maps
Where ever I go, I make sure that I have downloaded offline maps. Google has a great option for this. Whether I am on a road trip of I am wandering around Athens, I always make sure that I have a map of the area that I will be in. This way I can map out my day and even if I don’t have wifi, I will be able to find a safe way to get around. The maps often include information for bus and train routes.
Photocopies Are Your Friends
I have heard plenty of rumors where people have had their passport held for ransom when checking out of hotels. There are also a chance where other forms of ID will be taken at bars or boarder crossings. I make sure to take color photocopies of all of my important documents. I will leave the originals in a safe at the hotel.
Important documents include your passport, ID cars, plane tickets, and anything else that you need to get in and out or a country. I would also suggest getting a dry bag or a ziplock if you are cheap, just in case something spills in your bag or your bag gets wet. This way you don’t have to worry about a bag getting stolen or the originals of your documents being damaged.
There you have it. A few tricks to keep you safe during your travels. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments! You can find some of my other posts about safety here.