The Week caught up with some such independent Nepali ladies who love venturing out on solo trips, at times even living alone. Here they share their experiences and advice.
Sarita Sapkota
Communications and Development Coordinator
“It just happened,” says Sarita Sapkota. She and her three friends had no intentions to plan a ‘girls-only trip’ to Rara Lake. But by the end of a random conversation, it was pretty obvious that they all wanted to visit the iconic spot. So that was it. They were going on a hike. It was apparently only at the Surkhet Airport the fact that they were travelling without any male companions or guardians that the three girls realized what a big deal it was.
“There indeed are some specific routes that may not be safe for women to travel alone,” explains Sarita, adding that in her experience people are very cooperative and helpful. “It’s just that many women tend to stop themselves. They don’t even entertain the idea of solo trips based on assumptions,” she adds. She also says that perhaps women are used to men shouldering the big chunk of the travel responsibilities, such as the tickets, luggage and other logistics. This may be a shame because Sarita guarantees it’s more fun travelling with just your girls. “Just be prepared. Get prior information, research your destination and you should be set,” she advises.
Shraddha Rana
Freelance Education Consultant
It was the perfect timing. During her mid 20s, just when she was itching for some adventure, Shraddha got the opportunity to pack her bags and begin her travels. Sometimes, it was for work, sometimes for play. Either way, she found herself raking in those miles from the United States, across Europe to at one point even South Korea. Though she was on these voyages alone, she says she never quite got nervous about it. “I think it was my mother’s encouragement that gave me the strength to believe,” she says. “She always pushed me to go, see and learn about things.”
When asked about the challenges, Shraddha admits there obviously were many. Since during a travel, everything from the weather to the cultures, languages and peoples are alien, it’s bound to be full of hiccups. “But there’s fun in tackling those, too,” says Shraddha. According to her, the best way to travel is to make a good plan, carry enough money and then enjoy yourself.“Don’t fret too much. Don’t think too much,” she says.
Namrata Lang
Social Worker
Namrata Lang is a seasoned traveler. She has couch-surfed through cities, backpacked through Europe and hiked through various terrains. The wanderlust got the best of her ages ago, and even today she’s on constant move, either with friends or on her own. “In our culture, women are still dictated to some extent. They learn to form their opinions based on what they are told or made to believe by the society or media,” says Namrata. “So I think it’s very important and almost essential that women travel alone sometimes.”
Travelling alone, she believes, has taught her to be independent, form her own opinions, expand her horizon of life and people and create her own identity. It has apparently helped her to grow into a stronger and more confident individual. “When you travel alone, you tend to reach out to people more than when you’re with somebody, and vice versa. You may feel lonely sometimes but eventually you make friends from all over the world and exchanging conversations with them enhances your life with friendship, knowledge, wisdom, adventures and even spiritual growth.”
Shruti Dhungel
Finance and Compliance Associate, WWF Nepal
An eye opener – that’s how Shruti Dhungel describes her living-alone stint in Pokhara for a year. Though she had always lived with her family in the capital, when a dream job came knocking, she decided to take the plunge. On hindsight, Shruti wouldn’t have it any other way. “I probably needed this experience to really get to know myself better. Coming out of the safety net that your parents and loved ones have created for you isn’t easy. But living alone taught me so many things; most importantly, how to manage my affairs. I’ve learnt not to take anything for granted.”
Even today, it’s fairly rare to find Nepali women who would dare to live on their own, and though Shruti suggests strict caution while choosing your locations, overall, she calls it a very character-building experience. It’s just one of those things that formal education can’t cover. As she puts it, “I think experiences, personality, attitude and confidence are what make a woman independent in the truest sense.”
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