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ORIGINAL: WhiteRoseBlessings

Carolyn,

For the very vast majority of the time, no, I don't really have any concerns that are specific to traveling alone as a female. Frankly, I am more concerned about making my connecting flights when I only have 30 minutes and I have to run past almost 100 terminals to get to mine; I love those moving sidewalks (and also the escalators). LOL

Within the past 2 years, I have taken numerous flights and even a few bus trips. I have also slept in several motel rooms, a couple of cabins and even a bed-and-breakfast (which I highly recommend; that was really fun!)

There was one time, on a 12-hour bus trip, that I didn't feel the most comfortable, but that was due to some of the other passengers; not necessarily because I was traveling alone as a single woman. There was also a very late night taxi-drive that I didn't exactly relish, but that was because of the part of town that the taxi had to drive through from the bus station to get to the more decent motels (and in all probability, I will most likely try to never be in that type of situation again).

But the thing is . . . being a single woman, I could be perceived as an easy target anywhere; including the town where I live. I certainly have run into my share of, uhm, potentially dangerous people just while being out and about while running errands within a couple of miles from my house. There's really not a lesser or greater threat of danger based on where one is; that's often really just a misconception that people have; a false sense of security, so to speak, regarding where someone lives . . . which then often leads to a over-heightened sense of danger regarding unfamiliar places.

I do a lot of common-sense things to keep me safe (both when I'm traveling and when I'm not). I also listen to my instincts; and if they're telling me something about a situation isn't right or safe, then I take notice and respond accordingly.

Last December, during that 12-hour bus trip, there was a layover for about 3 hours. I went to the snack area, got a bottle of water and went to a table and sat down. A guy got up from his table, came over to mine, and asked me if I minded if he joined me. There was something about him that was literally making my skin crawl. So, I looked him in the eye and said, "Yes, I do mind." He looked a bit taken aback and asked me to repeat myself, so I did.

I don't put up with a lot of stuff like that; in fact, I have a zero tolerance for it.

As women and especially as Christian women, so many of us are often taught to be polite, etc., etc. There are actually situations in which we should be as firm and straightforward as possible. Our personal safety is definitely one of those situations.

Several years ago, I was riding public transportation in my hometown. There was a guy on the bus who started talking to me. He was a homeless person, and I had seen him around quite a bit. Being a bit naive about things, I thought it my Christian duty to befriend him. That turned into the biggest mess, with him telling me that he was in love with me; and then, when I didn't reciprocate, threatening to kill me. It's a lesson that was learned hard and not one I'll soon forget; it taught me a lot . . . the whole wise as serpents / innocent (or harmless) as doves paradox referenced in Matthew 10:16.

Which brings me to something else . . . anything can happen to anyone at anytime and anywhere. BUT . . . in the midst of that reality lies an even greater reality . . . that God is with me wherever I go; Abba, Jesus and His Holy Spirit. And THAT's where my comfort and guidance lies.

It's a great big beautiful world out there! So many things to see.
If that is of interest to someone, I truly would encourage them to do whatever they can to achieve that; traveling can be a wonderful, fun experience; and more likely than not, a person can meet some pretty interesting people.

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How do you, as singles, or single parents, spend your holidays?

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Are there things/places that you would want to do or visit but are hesitant to because you are single?

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And anyone else what to share their summer holiday stories/pictures?

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ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl

Nope - I only house(kitty) sat for a friend - but it was a "vacation" from my family. My trip is next weekend when I go to Baltimore to shoot Sharon's wedding. After the wedding, I'm going to RFK for a DC United game. Hey, GOT to see soccer while I'm so close!!!!! And, one of my friend's is the referee, so it'll be fun to see him there.