These Women Are Traveling The World Alone — And Having The Time Of Their Lives

“Each Mistake Made Me More Self-Conscious”

Carrie Miller, a National Geographic writer, embarked on her first solo trip when she was just 20 years old. She didn’t want to go alone, but her friends simply couldn’t make it all the way to Northern Australia. Unfortunately for the young traveler, everything went wrong as soon as she arrived in Darwin. She was placed in a backpacker bunk with two random German men who didn’t speak English. Her Kakadu National Park tour guide made her the butt of all jokes because she was so young and gullible.

“I am the reigning world heavyweight champion of beating myself up, and each mistake made me more self-conscious. I felt like Nancy No-Mates when I requested a table for one. I was certain everyone was watching me, wondering if I was recently jilted, or simply friendless,” she wrote. This mindset changed when Carrie was approached by a British woman who was impressed with her bravery. “I wish I had the courage to travel on my own like you,” she said. Since then, Carrie learned one of the most important lessons of solo travel: you won’t die of embarrassment.