Go Your Own Way: Women Travel the World Solo, edited by Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick & Christina Henry de Tessan

In this collection of solo travel tales from women, the very first thing that struck me was the introduction. Normally, I breeze through the introduction as little more than an obligatory part of the book that has very little importance for me other than to gain some useful insight into the author’s style or perspective.

This one was different. It struck me. Caught my attention right off the bat. Why? Well for starters it was pretty clear this book was conceived in a way I like to research many important epiphanies in my life . . . a get together with my best girlfriends. This introduction also covered something else that had me hooked before the first excerpt. The difference between travel and other solo activities at later, post family attainment stages of life.

As women, we take on an enormous and largely unforeseen set of responsibilities when we start a family. That’s not to say most of us don’t already go in ready to commit and take on more. We do. But let’s face it. There’s always more than we were expecting. Am I right? This book addresses the drastic change travel undergoes in our lives through various stages both perceptually and logistically, and the extra power it can have for us as a result. It’s written by women for women.

Some favorite excerpts? Well, for starters there was Snake Eyes of Borneo, by Holly Morris. Her adventure with leeches in the wilds of Borneo while knowing she had to capture her jungle misery on film left me totally in empathy with her as she expressed frustration over just wanting to have the experience. Hilarious, although I’m sure none of it was to her at the time.

Next, I found myself seriously identifying with Eileen Favorite in The Dis-Orient Express as she stood on one lonely train platform while her backpack went hurtling off on the train in front of her. Would she get it back?

And finally, Kate Chynoweth’s tale of initiation to Thai massage brought back memories of a trip to Thailand with a coworker while reading Avoiding the Road to Wellness.

Photo Credit: Seal Press