If you want to test how independent and confident you are, go take a trip. Alone. Even for women who believe they can take care of themselves in all situations, traveling alone is the biggest challenge. When you go to visit a new place all by yourself, you are bound to attract a lot of attention, most of it unwelcome. Not only do the people sense that you don’t belong there, they also try to take advantage of the fact that you have no ‘male protector’ beside you.

Traveling alone is a challenge for sure. But it’s not that difficult once you put your mind to it. It has its own benefits and pleasures. For instance you can sit for hours staring at the waves on the beach if you don’t have a boyfriend/husband or kids wanting to ‘do something meaningful’. All you need to do is have your head firmly planted on your head and follow some general common sense rules. Here are a few guidelines that will help you be safe…

• Do not scrimp too much on money. This means that you should definitely stay at a decent hotel even if it costs a few hundred rupees more than that shady motel you saw on the highway.

• Always hold your purse close to you and do not carry too much money in it. Get some traveler’s cheques and keep most of them in your baggage at the hotel, under lock and key.

• Try to gel into the crowd. This means that wherever you go try to blend in. do not wear clothes that make you stand out and attract attention. If it’s a conservative place, wear traditional.

• Cover up. If you don’t want unwelcome male attention, just wear unrevealing clothes.

• Crowds help. If you are visiting a site, try to stay close to a family or a tour group, instead of jaywalking all by yourself.

• Learn to be aloof. You don’t have to talk to every Tom dick and Harry who approaches you. So if a shady looking guy (or even a beggar) approaches you, just ignore completely. Don’t even bother to say ‘No’. Just look away or even better, walk away.

• If possible, enlist with a tour operator who provides traveling and accommodation.

• If money is a big issue with you, look for options like hostels etc. you can do the research on the internet and you will definitely find some cheap options.

• If you are in a soupy situation, don’t be afraid to scream or ask for help.