FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions I get:

Q: “Aren’t you scared of being a female and traveling by yourself?”

me with my long hair before Silk Peace Cycle

A: “Not really. I’ve had positive experiences solo traveling throughout South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, etc. and found that because I’m a solo female, locals tend to show me even greater hospitality. Also, it allows me to interact and integrate deeper with the people, in my humble opinion, because I’m not confined by unconscious social pressures. (Even being with a best friend or partner impacts my actions and how I am received.) In fact, I’d say that this perceived “vulnerability” of being a solo female traveler is rather  advantageous because, in general, I don’t come off as a threat and therefore am easier to approach. And again, I can only speak from my experiences, but people tend to be good and wanting to help. Furthermore, because wherever I go people are scared of people so when they see me they worry for me. E.g. before going to Colombia, my American friends were worried because “Colombia is so dangerous”. When I went from Colombia to Peru, my Colombian friends worried saying how Peru is very dangerous. From Peru to Bolivia, my Peruvian friends worried explaining how Bolivia is extremely dangerous. My friends only have my best interest at heart but I couldn’t help but find the entire accusatory domino chain comical. People fear people! Same concept goes for any locals and so they fear for me, keep an eye out for me; and I feel like I always have guardian angels around. (Unless I instinctively feel an insecure predicament in which I act like a deranged, crazy person. No YouTube videos, sorry. Solo travel tip: always be the crazier one. But I only had to do this once in the Amazon at the tri-border.) Anyway, we wouldn’t get anywhere or build new bridges with fear consuming us, right?

That said, I also can’t be ignorant of the realities and my personal security measures. I will be registering with the embassy in each country as I progress and have a satellite communicator tracking my GPS coordinates daily. I also chopped off all my hair to look more like a malewhich may or may not be useful. Oh! And I carry mace. 🙂 But after studying, working, and traveling in over 40 countries so far, I’m pretty sure I won’t need it. (Unless I catch someone trying to steal my awesome portable solar panels. Yes, I have solar panels!!)

Q: “Where will you sleep?”
A: “Anywhere I can pitch my tent. Also, Couchsurfing and Warmshowers.”

Q: “What will you do for food? And water?”
A: “Markets and filter river water. Also, stores. I WILL also be in places with civilization 😉 ”

chopping off all my hair so A) I look more like a male and B) I like to travel light!

Q: “When did you first get the idea to cycle the Silk Road?”
A: “7 years ago in university.”

Q: “Do you know any of the languages of the countries you’re going to?”
A: “Zilch.”

Q: “How do you plan to get by or ask to take photos of 5,000 people then?”
A: “That’s sort of the point with Silk Peace Cycle: to overcome barriers, find harmony and understanding somehow (gestures, pictures, noises…) and be able to connect at this base level we all have because we’re all human.

Q: “How do you even go about this?”
A: “One mile, one smile at a time. 😉 ”

 

*Read the Adventure STORIES here