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Bitten by the travel bug WHAT WOMEN WANT
Travel with essentials
DEEPA ALEXANDER
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There have been all women expeditions to Mt. Everest, and all women shopping sprees at city malls. Women now travel the world with aplomb sometimes on work and sometimes for leisure. The foreign lone backpacker is no longer the symbol of the liber ated woman traveller. Indian women are also going to places sometimes alone, other times in women groups and discovering lost civilisations and the great beyond. Frequent women travellers, a consultant psychologist and the founder of a women’s travel group tell us how best to travel and how travel leaves them enriched.
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I travel mostly on work though I would love to travel for pleasure. Over the years I have watched other frequent travellers and learnt to travel often with only a bag, a diary for contact numbers - work related and personal, my phone and charger, a lap-top and toiletries, and an extra set of personal clothing and a torch. Always wear comfortable shoes - think of an emergency. Cash should be carried distributed, on the person and tucked away between clothes. Trust your ATM/debit card to work. Don’t be paranoid and let your body language reflect confidence. Since my family and my colleagues play a very supportive role, I am able to travel quite often. I do have a young child who understands if I explain to him. I have adequate help at home so it is really not that challenging. I love travelling, and I love meeting new people and visiting places. It is fulfilling.
SETHULAKSHMI,
Manager, Community Outreach Services YRG Care, Community Research Facility
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Girl bonding at its best
Today's women need to get away on their own. If she's a mom or a wife, she'll put others first but at the same time she longs for adventure. When women travel together they are totally uninhibited in their quest for fun and frolic. Be it dressing, eating, talking, shopping or sightseeing or pouring their hearts out, women together means girl bonding at its best. Women tend to be more detail-oriented. Are the sheets clean and fresh? Does the resort live up to promises made on the website? Today, as disposable incomes have increased, particularly amongst urban women, so have confidence levels. Women long for adventure, a complete holiday with more than the usual shopping and sightseeing. Travelling in a group is safe, especially if the women rely on an efficient travel expert. There should be no compromise on the hotel and its location; no wandering off late at night, no taking off with strangers during travel, no walking in lonely alleys and areas not frequented by tourists. Personal space is something they need and they find it in travelling to known and unknown destinations. Many WOW travellers speak of it being a liberating experience because of the freedom to choose their own destination and activities.
SUMITRA SENAPATY,
Founder, WOW Club - Women on Wanderlust
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Do your homework
Do some research on the place you're visiting, places to stay there and ways to reach the place. Try to travel with a group. Buy a map of the place, this will help you get around easily, without being cheated. Make your bookings well in advance to avoid wasting time looking for accommodation. Domestic rearranging has to be done before a trip - if everything is alright at home you can concentrate on the work at hand. Pursuing travel is not a problem if the family is extremely accommodating and encouraging. I enjoy travel as I learn new lessons, meet new people, try out new cuisines and most importantly have a break from the normal. Travel rejuvenates me completely.
SONALI MENON,
Consultant, Excel Peoplecentric Solutions
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No quilt-trips
In the IT industry a large number of women do travel on work and very rarely is it for leisure. In families where women run the household, the pressures are a lot more as compared to families where the household chores are shared between husband and the wife. If it's the mother who supervises the child's study, during the time she is travelling, schoolwork can get neglected. Social activities and family functions are also given a miss. Women who travel on work bear the brunt of not only adjusting to changes in weather and food but sometimes are guilt-ridden that they are missing out on important milestones in their child's life. Families and spouses should be open to communication and realise that travel is an extension of her work. Women should also be able to reschedule should the need arise.
Dr. BRUNDA AMRUTHARAJ,
Consultant clinical psychologist,
Zeitgeist-Centre for personal and
organisational development
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Get going
I have travelled a lot on work in my corporate life, but now as a consultant, it's simply leisure travel, meeting family and friends across the world. Keep a copy of your passport and travel documents in your handbag. Keep a photo copy of your credit cards in a place other than your handbag so in case your purse is picked you can call the credit card companies to close your card right away. If you're travelling on leisure, read up on the local culture and etiquette so that you don't end up offending people. On business trips polish your corporate etiquette. Gift typical Indian souvenirs. Pick up a few key phrases of the local language before you go - it really helps. Carry your own medication. Travel without family is easier today because of better connectivity. Leave behind a copy of your itinerary and contact numbers with your family and make sure you pay your bills prior to travel if you are going on a long break. It's exhilarating to go to new places, see new things and meet new people. It truly broadens your perspective and rejuvenates your soul. Even bad travel experiences are better than never leaving home.
NEETHA RAMAN,
Consultant and Content Provider
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