Traveling solo can seem a bit unsafe, but as long as you know some solid safety tips, you should be able to feel comfortable and stay out of harms way. I’ve traveled to over twenty countries completely solo, so trust me when I say…I know how to travel solo like a freaking ninja.
Unfortunately, Liam Neeson can’t always be there to save us when we’re traveling solo, which is why it’s good to know a few safety tips in case you need to be stealthy like a ninja in sketchy situations. The good news is that there are ways to appear as though you might be a ninja in order to avoid such situations, the bad news is that, you’re not, and there is still a possibility of something happening any where you go.
But not to fear! As long as you take the necessary pre-cautions, and always remember that crime can happen pretty much anywhere, you should be able to protect yourself from evil, and ward it off as well!
Ninjas know everything, especially facts. Don’t let stereotypes or media propaganda determine how you feel about a place you want to visit. While it’s smart to listen to current events on the news, make sure you research what’s actually going on somewhere before you rule it out as too dangerous to go to. Also, make sure you do the same for places you automatically rule out as “not” too dangerous to go to.
Look up reviews from past travelers, stories from bloggers, and especially local current events from news sources in the actual area.
Ya, I know, I sound like your mom…and in fact it was my mom who forced me to do this the first time I traveled alone. I’ve never had to use it luckily, but it doesn’t hurt to do as a pre-caution to send an email to your embassy in the country that you’re traveling to (i.e. mine would be the U.S. Embassy in _____). The reason for this is because if anything were to happen to you, your embassy (AKA ninja allies) would have a record of where you are and what dates you were supposed to be there.
You can also report to them if anything you have gets stolen, like a credit card, or passport, and they can help you get a new one.
Ninjas blend in, which is why they’re so hard to catch! Just because you’re used to wearing shorts and a tank top back home, or wearing a flashy watch, doesn’t mean that it’s Ok to do it in a place where you’re not from. Not only are cultures different in what they find appropriate to wear clothing wise, but you can easily make yourself stick out like an easy target if you’re not covered up enough, or if you’re wearing something expensive.
Research what people wear in the areas you’re planning on traveling to (hint: Tweet a local blogger!), and always bring a cardigan, sweater, scarf, etc., just in case you need to cover up.
Want to know an easy way to stick out as someone to rob or kidnap? Be obnoxious. Nothing screams “tourist” like someone being overly loud and obnoxious, especially if alcohol is involved. You will never see a loud and obnoxious ninja…fact. At the same time, don’t appear to be timid or skiddish, because that will only make you seem like you’re more vulnerable, and easier to attack.
Want to know what scares the shit out of people? Confidence. Walk around with your head up high, look people in the eye, straighten your shoulders, and even sport a smirk that says, “Yeah, I’ve walked these streets, want to fight about it?” Well, maybe not “fight”, the goal is World Peace here, but hopefully you get what I’m saying.
Confidence will also automatically make you feel like a ninja because you’ll have that “Yeah, what?!” strut, like you own the place, even if you secretly have 0 idea where you are.
People are targeted for crime when they appear to not know where they are. Tourists looking at a map, solo travelers walking in circles back to their hostel, even a mother waiting for a taxi outside of her hotel, if you look confused, you look like a target. If you act like you live there however, that means you’d obviously know where to run to to escape a potential attack…or at least like you’d know how to get the person in some damn bad trouble if they were to even try you!
There’s a good chance you don’t look like you live there, but I’ve seen a blonde American easily ward off a Thai haggler just by waiving her hand and snuffing at him (she lives in Thailand).
Although I’m secretly a super nice person at heart, my death stare has been known to ward off the evilest of evil; from people judging me for traveling solo, to gypsies considering slitting open my purse. Have you ever seen a ninja who doesn’t sport a death stare?
All you really have to do is make eye contact, then squint a little bit, and kind of snarl your lip. Potential threats are an automatic turn off to attackers, and a clear warning that you may be a ninja.
It’s ALWAYS a good idea to learn some phrases of the language that is native to the place you’re traveling to. Not only is it polite, but it’s EXTREMELY helpful in case you find yourself in a situation where someone is talking about you or trying to “offer” or ask you something. It’ll also make you seem like you’re knowledgable of the area, and like you have been there for a while so know what’s up with people trying to be sketchy.
Just look up basic phrases online or download one of the many language apps on your phone…just be sure to write them down as well since you probably won’t have data and/or wifi when you’re walking around in another country.
You should never walk around with your passport unless you’re staying in a hostel or something where your room can’t be locked or there’s no safe. If you lose all your money, or if you lose your passport, you’re screwed. JUST KIDDING!!! There’s ways to get out of it, it’s just not going to be easy.
Instead, make copies of your passport, and put them in everything that you have (i.e. your purse, backpack, wallet, luggage, pocket, etc.). As for money…….as someone who has gotten their debit and credit card stolen….I’d highly suggest bringing multiple forms of money and also hiding them in different bags. I’d also suggest getting Travelers Cheques because they are MUCH easier to use than trying to wire yourself money.
By “Non-Weapon-Weapons” I mean, objects that you know can be used as a weapon, but have no immediate threat as one, and would never get taken away by TSA. Clearly ninjas just use their sweet ninja-moves for self defense, but in the event that you haven’t taken karate, there are other options.
My weapon of choice is my travel “purse” which is made from seatbelts, and so tough that it can’t be slashed through with a knife. I imagine if someone were to attack me, I would just swing my purse and whack them in the head with it since it also weighs about 10 pounds.
Although I don’t fully recommend walking around with that brand new iPhone 6 out because it can make you a target…I’m just going to throw it out there that the corner of your phone can be pretty painful if you hit someone with it.
I actually do this…often. If I feel like someone is looking at me like I might be an easy target, or if I don’t feel safe in a certain area, or walking alone, I’ll take out my phone and have a full on conversation with…myself. If you can actually call someone, great, but I usually don’t have service when I’m abroad and long-distance charges are a bitch (unless you’re really scared…then make a call).
Additionally, act like you’re pissed about something…people are less likely to attack someone who already seems to be angry and aggressive.
Also use phrases like:
“Yeah, I’m almost there”, “You see me? Oh yeah, I see you too!”, “I’m Passing ____ Street now”, and “What do you mean the police are at our place?”
Sometimes criminals think they’re ninjas who are super sneaky and can do things without being seen. But it would be hard to not be seen if you had a video recording of them, now wouldn’t it? If you feel like you’re in an unsafe area, and feel comfortable enough to take your phone out (this is up to your judgement), start taking pictures or a video of your surroundings, and even add commentary about where you are so it seems like your whereabouts are well documented.
If you feel like you’re being followed or targeting, turn into the nearest cafe or restaurant that you can find. You can wait it out, or maybe even tell a waiter that you feel like you’re being followed, and see if they’ll take a peak outside so that the predator knows you told someone. You can also use the phone there to call a cab, that way you don’t have to walk.
If there are no restaurants, shops, or taxis nearby, it may be a good time to use those long-distance minutes to make a call as you continue to walk.
Solo travelers get targeting because, well…they’re solo. It’s not as likely to attack a group of people as it is a single person, but no one has to know that you’re actually by yourself! Although it may be slightly awkward, if you feel unsafe or in danger, and there are other people around, nonchalantly walk up to them and ask a question, or just go ahead and tell them that you think you’re being followed, and ask if they mind if you join them until it’s safe.
Just make sure that the people you’re approaching at least look safe…you don’t want to walk up to a group of gang members or anything…
Although (once again) the goal is World Peace, if you’re being attacked, touched, or aggressively approached, it might be time to bust out the ninja moves, and judo chop the shit out of the person coming at you. I’m no ninja trainer, but I always imagine that if I were being attacked, I would first try to kick the person in balls (assuming they’re a male), and if I couldn’t do that, I would punch them in the nose.
Realistically, I would probably start screaming and scratching at their face, but that works too because nails are painful, and screaming is scary.
*NOTE: If someone is trying to steal your bag and they have a weapon, just give it to them by throwing it away from you, and run. It’s not worth getting hurt to try to save your stuff!
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If someone tries to take my camera... my camera will become more deadly than a nuclear bomb in my hands. Used it before as a weapon and not afraid to do again :p
Good advice, thank you
I wish you always be safety anywhere
Thanks for the advice... Do you think that'll work though for a 6'5" ginger like myself?
OMG... great tips. Ill be travelling in two weeks to Malaysia and Thailand.
Im excited and worried all the same coz I tend to get lost in new places easily. But I know its going to be one hell of an adventure.
P.S. I will read more post from you todah. To you know, pick up ideas.
Great tips!
Personal safety and self defense is so important for us women travelers and we should all be prepared to fight back effectively if the need ever arises.
I have been teaching Krav Maga to women and girls for over 5 years now and we teach a very effective technique which I feel should should be in every woman and girls arsenal. We are a women only event, run by women, for women, and this is the extremely effective technique what we teach to women of all ages.
The technique is the “groin grab” self defense technique which is to be used against a male attacker, which is now taught in many womens self defense classes, and there is actually a little trick to it…
To execute this technique, you’re going to take your hand and quickly grasp between the attackers thighs underhand. Its going to feel like you’re “cradling” the testicles. Quickly grab them and dig your fingertips into the fragile skin BEHIND the scrotum. Then, once you have a good grip, you turn your hand into a vice, with your fingers digging inwards, around the back and over the top of the testicles. If you do it right, you should feel the testes INSIDE your hand which is holding the scrotum. You want, whenever possible, to hook your fingers over and around at least one testicle. One of them is enough.
Then, with your hands in a claw and your fingertips latched around the testes, you turn your hand sharply, as though you were turning a doorknob. Simultaneously, squeeze hard and pull the testicles away from his body as fast and as hard as you can. Do not let go of them. This is important. What happens then, is that your assailant usually screams out in pain and then tries to grab the wrist of your hand holding him in a futile attempt to try to get you to release him. Don’t. He then quickly loses one of the natural advantages he usually has over us (his strength) within a matter of seconds. Vomiting, curling over, collapsing and convulsing is common. Shock and unconsciousness can set in within 8 seconds. When he collapses, which he will, you get away to safety as quickly as possible and call for help.
It’s never too late to perform this technique at any stage of an attack, and that even includes the option of reaching down if he’s on top of you, but it is easiest to do when the testicles are exposed and closest to you where you can grab hold of them. I’ve actually met several women in my life who have fought off their attackers in this way and one did it when her attacker was on top of her and raping her at the point he lost control. Don’t ever hold back. Some women scream while they are doing this, and some women think of a loved one being harmed to help overcome any bad feelings of hurting someone else even if they are being hurt themselves. Do whatever you have to do if you feel it helps.
If done properly, and done with enough force, this technique can even lead to the testicles rupturing. It’s actually easier to do than most women believe, and just about all of us have the capability to injure an attackers testicles in this way – whether we are young girls still of school age, or whether we are great grandmothers. We have no part of our bodies as vulnerable as a mans testicles. After all, if you think about it testicles are just small objects of extreme vulnerability to pain squishiness wrapped in a delicate layer of skin which offers them no protection at all from this kind of counterattack by a woman. Most importantly, this fact holds true no matter what size your attacker is, nor how strong he is. And no matter how angry he is, and how much he’s threatened what he’s going to do to you, he’s going to drop. Don’t let anyone (usually men) try to convince you otherwise.
I know that this advice would have been a difficult read for many women, but our lives are worth far more than a rapists testicles and we should be prepared to do whatever it takes to get away to safety. Please help to share this advice with as many other women and girls in any way you can. It could one day be a life saver.
Hi, H-A-B. Thanks for the description. I know you left this comment last year, but hoping you get notified to respond. Call me stupid, but all this is assuming the person is being raped, right...and attacker has clothes off? There is no way to do this just on the outside of his clothes, as there would be no way to really dig in and lock fingers over the testicle. Correct? What about if you have an attacker that is fully clothed? Any tips or variation worth mentioning? I probably should take a self-defense course. About to travel the world for a year, and would be a smart thing to do, I know...if I can find one before I take off in January.
Thanks for these tips! I'm going on my first solo trip to Colombia next week, and this post has been super helpful.
-Ninja Nicole :-)
Haha thanks Ninja Nicole :D Have a great time in Colombia! Let me know how it is!