Shelf Awareness
April, 2007
Review by Marilyn Dahl
It’s pelting rain outside, but daffodils are blooming, tulips are considering the prospect and the magnolia trees are looking pretty darn magnificent. Spring seems to engender a restlessness in some people that only travel can assuage, and Beth Whitman has written just the book for both veteran travelers and rookies. She visited the Shelf Awareness office on another rainy day recently to chat about Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo. Beth teaches travel classes called For Women Traveling Solo, and has amassed tips and information from both her own travels and from hundreds of women who have participated in the workshops. Obviously she is enthusiastic about travel and wants to empower women to get out of town.
Why travel solo? Many reasons–no coordinating agendas, no fretting over when and where to eat, no arguing over the stamp museum vs. the flea market or Mongolia vs. Disneyland. You are more approachable (usually in a good way), you learn to handle situations and you gain confidence. “While traveling solo can present numerous challenges, it also magnifies the richness of these experiences.” But what about danger, vulnerability, being lonely? She devotes a chapter to getting beyond excuses: “Much of what we anticipate is nothing more than our own fears spinning tales of disaster in our heads, while other fears are bona fide concerns. With adequate preparations . . . you’ll discover which ones are fantasy fears, and how to overcome the others.” What kind of travel would be good for a first solo trip? She details different types–adventure, experiential (or “soft adventure”), hiking, biking, group tours. Group tours are good for several things: One, if you’re a first-time traveler, you’ll have a safety net. Two, organized tours can get you into areas that are difficult or off-limits to individuals.
Many of the tips Whitman includes are simple but very effective; some may seem obvious, others will be of the “why didn’t I think of that?” sort: Create a standard packing list on your computer instead of trying to recreate one each trip. Dress conservatively. Wear the same clothes a lot–no one will notice or care. No bling. Steer clear of logo T-shirts, white sneakers and baseball caps, unless you want to (adversely) advertise your nationality. Learn a few words and phrases in the local language, particularly if you have dietary restrictions–it’s polite, it’s useful, and it’s an ice-breaker. In an unfamiliar situation, sit back and watch the locals for a bit–you’ll still be a tourist, but hopefully a less-intrusive and better-mannered tourist. Don’t take guidebooks too seriously. Carry a rubber door-stop to prevent intruders from entering your room. Whitman even has advice for coping with reverse culture shock at the end of a trip.
Often the suggestions involve specific resources, and there is an extensive appendix with website listings, from places to check out local cuisine to companies that make travel gear to cheap airfare sites. The book is filled with anecdotes, guidance, information and encouragement–an excellent resource for anyone. And even if you are a seasoned traveler, maybe you need an extra push to go farther afield. Beth Whitman will give it to you. “Most of us stumble through life without a dream or without knowing what we want. The fact that you picked up this book, however, means you, too, harbor a dream, even if you haven’t yet given it voice. Where have you always wanted to go? Dream it. Write it down. And figure out how to get there.”