Photographer Tai Power Seeff has had a gun pointed at her and been robbed by thugs wielding machetes, but fear hasn’t stopped her from exploring the world in her own way.
In January 1994, I received the first—and hopefully only—phone call from the FBI. The call informed me that my 23-year-old cousin Ylenia had traveled alone from Belize City to New Orleans. Her passport and clothes were left in the hotel, but she had vanished. Twenty years later, she still hasn’t been found.
I started traveling solo as a teenager. I experienced excitement, loneliness, and fear, and often thought of Ylenia. My parents usually had no idea where I was, who I was with, or how to reach me. Now, looking back at all of this at age 34, I’m amazed by the trust and freedom they gave me. To be honest, I think they realized early on that my defining trait was self-reliance.
Even so, my wallet has been slashed and stolen, a gun has been pointed at my head, and the flimsy door of my bedroom has been kicked in—all during unsuccessful attacks while I was trekking through jungles searching for film and a camera that had gone missing for five months. Still, I consider myself lucky because I was never physically harmed.
For women, solo travel especially tests your intuition, confidence, love for adventure, and self-awareness. The people you meet along the way also reflect how you present yourself at the time. Sometimes, the journey can feel lonely, and all you want is to be safely at home with people you’ve known for years. But discovering the world and yourself in your own way—the thrill it brings—is worth the challenge. Here are some important precautions I follow when traveling solo.
Always Stay Calm and Alert
This might sound overly cautious, but I almost never order mixed drinks outside of the U.S. or Europe. In some developing countries, deadly substances like methanol or ethanol are sometimes added to drinks as cheap substitutes. I might have a few beers, but I avoid drinks that could contain sedatives (a friend in Havana had his drink spiked and ended up losing $2,000). I never let my drink out of my sight, and I always ask the server or bartender to open the bottle in front of me.
When I decide to have a few drinks, I make sure I’m wearing flat shoes. As a solo traveler, I rely more on my physical ability. The last thing I want to do is stumble around while trying to pick up a piece of wood on a charming cobblestone path.
Don’t Fight Back
Many years ago, while walking along the bustling streets near my lovely neighbor in Santa Teresa, I stopped to take a photo of a beautiful mosaic. As I was taking the picture, I heard a car pull up behind me. Horrified, I froze as a young man got out of the passenger side door wielding a machete and walked toward me.
I didn’t resist, but because I was carrying a shoulder bag, it made it hard to escape from the attacker. He slashed the bag open with the machete, scattered its contents, and then took the items. The experience terrified me, but hearing about friends who were stabbed, beaten, or kidnapped, I’m grateful I was released unharmed.
Advice: Give up what they want. Your body is more valuable than anything else you’re carrying. (Though it’s foolish to hide cash or particularly important items in inner compartments of your handbag.)
Stay Vigilant at All Times
When getting out of a car or closing a door, I look around the street. I rarely use my phone while walking, especially when carrying full bags. I know those are perfect opportunities for attackers, so I try not to make myself an easy target.