Many of us enjoy travelling, especially for the thrill and excitement that being on the road entails. Leaving behind familiar and well-known terrains, the comfort of our homes and the warmth of our families when we decide to step into the unknown with uncertainty around, the great excitement of exploration and experiencing new places, meeting new people, gaining new insights keeps us energetic.
As much as we would love to explore and go to new places, there are also some challenges that we face especially when we travel solo or as female travellers on an individual trip especially to places or via modes of transport that are not known to be particularly safe. How safe are travelling alone, staying alone and exploring an unknown territory all by oneself going to be for me as a woman? These are questions that always haunt the mind of many female travellers and these concerns are so pressing that many a times they convince the woman to not undertake such a travel or always ensure that they are not alone even if travelling.
Saraswati’s Solo Travel Choices Question the Taboos
It is in this context that Saraswati’s travels and the journeys that she undertakes across the length and breadth of the county gain new meaning. She is breaking many stereotypes, challenging conventional notions and taboos by travelling the country all alone and that too without spending money. She makes us rethink the idea that we can only travel if we have a good budget, arrangements, prior bookings and resources.
Saraswati’s zeal to travel allowed her take a very crucial decision. All she carried with her were her two simple sarees, some basic necessities like her phone and a charger and left the comforts of life to travel across India for free. She travels for long distances on foot and when she is tired, she takes lifts.
She offers her services in exchange of food sometimes making tea at a small tea shop and sometimes contributing her labour at a community kitchen in exchange of a meal or a place to sleep the night. When it comes to making an arrangement for accommodation, she seeks shelter in temples, dharmshalas, and ashrams, places known for their hospitality towards travellers. It is through her YouTube channel that she shares her experiences and learnings. Through her work she is surely inspiring so many women to travel and develop courage. On her YouTube channel she gives tips to travel alone, motivational messages and shares her stories of travel.
Her story reaffirms the idea that with determination and ingenuity, we may overcome financial constraints in order to explore the world.
The Question of Safety and Inner Instinct
Yes, like any other female traveller, she too has safety concerns. She has to pick her camping or lodging spots carefully, be aware of doubtful people or avoid secluded transport facilities that may put her under threat. Saraswati keeps asserting the need for us to trust our instincts and she shows us that while there are challenges, they can be overcome with awareness and maturity accompanied with common sense.
While many people look at solo women travellers with apprehension and doubt, she has successfully chosen to break all barriers and defied all the norms that pull women back.
Through her travels, she has encountered diverse cultures, tried various cuisines, and experienced bonds with people from diverse walks of life, enriching her world.
Saraswati inspires us to break free from stereotypes and follow our heart. She allows us the leap of faith to discover the unknown.
