Traveling While Female

As I've mentioned here before, I'm headed to Turks & Caicos next month on my first "exotic, single girl vacation"!

So far, I've got a spa day planned, a sunset wine cruse planned, and lots and lots of beach dwelling and relaxation on my agenda.

While, I'm full of excitement, I also need some travel tips.

I traveled a lot with my family as a kid/teen in the past, but since I've lived away from home for the past 4 years, ALL of my vacation time has been spent back East with family.

And I do mean all of it.

That changes now. The family comes to visit me once and year and in turn, I will make ONE trip home per year to see them. This way, I can take one exotic, single girl vacation EVERY YEAR! 

Yay!

My childfree BFF back East wanted to come with me, but recently bought a house and had to put a bunch of money into it (and all of my other friends have kids and can't afford to travel), soooo I'm going alone.

Next year could be a different story but maybe not. I could find myself traveling alone on a regular basis, which is exciting, BUT I'm going to need preparation!

My grandparents are very well traveled so I thought I'd ask my grandma for some travel tips.

Um, that was a BIG MISTAKE.

She totally freaked me out by telling me about all the perils that could befall me in the Caribbean.

Here was her "list":

1.) "The men are super aggressive and if they were hitting on me hard core in Jamaica when your grandpa was with me (35 years ago), they aren't gonna show you any mercy at all. BE CAREFUL!"

2.) "Be sure to never get up to go to the bathroom while you're at a restaurant, bar, or other facility because "someone could slip you a 'rockie' ".

*Psst, I think she meant "roofie"  LMAO!!! *

3.) "Never carry more than a hundred dollars cash around with you and be sure to wear a purse that has a long strap you can place around your neck and across you body in case a purse snatcher runs by and tries to jack you. Wearing your purse on your arm is the easiest way to get jacked."

4.) "When lounging on the beach, don't bring any personal items and hide your hotel room key in the sand when no one's looking." (Ha!!)

In addition to these things, she thinks I should pack my stun gun and bring it with me.

Oh dear.

So uh, yeah my grandma is tripping right now but is she right about all this stuff?

I have to say, I am just not used to being "afraid" in public (unless it's dark and I'm alone somewhere unfamiliar), and I'm probably not aware enough of my surroundings most of the time.

I hate to admit that I'm not as vigilant as I should be as a single woman but it's true.

I've just never had to be I guess.

Most of the things she mentioned, I wouldn't think of in a million years, but I acknowledge that as a woman traveling alone, I need to take *some* precautions.

Maybe not all the ones she's insisting upon, but some.

Do I REALLY need to be worried about being slipped a mickey? I mean, this is Turks, not Jamaica. It is not as popular a travel destination, and it is much smaller and more sparsely populated.

And really, can you imagine me digging up sand to hide my room key on the beach while I go swimming in the ocean?

That is hilarious.

Seriously though, does anyone have any "reasonable" travel tips for me or am I stuck relying on granny's paranoia?

And another thing...a few months ago I imagined that perhaps I'd meet a nice gentleman and engage in some hot vacation sex while I'm away, but now I'm paranoid to even do that, thanks to "granny fretful".

What if I bring him to my room and he robs me at knife point or bludgeons me to death?!

Ugh...grams really did a number on me.

Comments

[sarah]

I went on vacation for two weeks by myself in California (and had the best fucking time of my entire life). I rented a car & just did whatever I wanted: visited family, old friends, drove all over the place. I was a single girl traveling alone and it just rocked my world. It never even crossed my mind to be more vigilant than I am normally...yeah, I'm pretty clueless like that.

I ran a 10K road race while I was there and I couldn't fit my rental car keys in the one tiny pocket of my running shorts...so I stashed them on top of the rear tire! And not only that, I went running with a friend and left the keys IN THE CAR (but hidden) and the door unlocked. Both times I returned to find the car still there.

Of course I was in Silicon Valley, which is more known for computer nerds than anything else.

I'm afraid I don't have any really useful advice...it's my opinion that the majority of people are decent, won't cause trouble, and the probability of coming to harm is so statistically insignificant it's not worth working oneself into a fear-laced froth (my mother is of the opposite opinion, of course).

Have FUN on your vacation...and do find some guy to have hot vacation sex with (I did ;) ).

[Kellina]

I agree with Sarah. DO have hot vacation sex if the opportunity presents itself but maybe wait until the last day or so of your vacation so you don't end up with a stalker. We know your history and that men cling to you lol!

Just trust your instincts when you meet someone and make him hang with you a few days on the beach and elsewhere to het a feel for who you're dealing with before inviting him up. When you do invite him up, it might be a good idea to hide your wallet or credit cards somewhere lol.

I also think your grandma is semi correct about being more cautious down there. The purse idea is a good plan and the "don't leave your drink unattended" thing was pounded into my head all thru college so I agree with that too.

How long are you going for?

[studpoet]

Yay, good for you! You should always be aware of your surroundings so of course you should never leave your drink unattended and don't do anything you wouldn't normally do. And be sure that you leave your contact number and hotel and stuff with your fam.

But other than that, enjoy yourself! You're single!! Party, drink, eat really well!!! Shop and make sure you get a great piece of art or something that you can put on a table or on the wall so that when you get back you'll always remember your trip!

Have fun!!

[Mahogany Misfit]

Sarah- Yeah that setting sounds similar to Scottsdale. I have never felt unsafe here. I have left my sliding patio door open all day (accidentally) and never had any issues whatsoever.

Now, I have done a lot of research on Turks and Caicos and it is really small and still not a mainstream travel destination because it's somewhat expensive in comparison to the Bahamas, Jamaica, etc. I'm sure I'll be fine and more safe there than a lot of the other islands.

Kellina- Excellent tips! I'll be there about a week. And you are right girl- I have very bad luck with men not respecting my space. The LAST thing I need on my vacation is a damn bugaboo!!!

Studpoet- Good ideas...I sent my mom an email with the hotel website and info as soon as I read your comment. ;-)

I am sooo going to enjoy myself, you don't have to worry about that! I plan on taking a ton of pics and posting them when I return so you guys can see how beautiful it was.

[VLM]

Nothing more to add here except in agreement with what Grandma said and with what others have written! Stay safe, be aware and HAVE FUN!

P.S. Stella, git yo' groove on if you must! LOL

[Tessa]

A couple more add ons (I'm a little late but my PC was being serviced).

Not only do I NOT leave my drink unattended, I cover it with a napkin and poke the straw thru it.

Since you're alone and I do it even if I have a friend with me, adopt a hotel "auntie", just someone that will look out for you (not get all in your business, but if you don't show up for breakfast someone will know before check out)

Some Island men can indeed be very aggressive but if you feel uncomfortable ..... please I don't have to tell you what to do.

Also, I suggest going to HIS room, it will be easier for you to escape than you trying to put him out. Then again you can always call the front desk.

Are you staying at a big resort or a small location? You should be fine, T & C is still pretty untouched but be vigilant all the same

HAVE A BLAST!!!

OH and no matter where you're going make sure you make front and back copies of any credit cards that you are taking with you, put it in a separate bag just in case (God forbid) you get robbed

[Mahogany Misfit]

Tessa- Wow this is EXCELLENT advice. I would have never thought about the credit card thing and now I'm considering taking ONLY one...you should work at a travel agency girl...wealth of knowledge you are!

Anyway, I MIGHT pack up my stun gun just so I can have a weapon on me lol! Granny of course thinks this is a brilliant idea...

Oh and I'm staying at a small hotel directly located on Grace Bay Beach...it's next door to a larger hotel though so I'm not going to be isolated from the main scene or anything like that.

[Tessa]

I do work in travel (indirectly)!!! But a lot of my knowledge (and crazy) comes from growing up in a family full of law enforcement officers.

I'm not sure that you want to take a stun gun on the plane, lol Please don't let me read about you on the news. Oh but you can walk with one of those travel size spray bottles and fill it up with some local pepper sauce ; )