Hack Solo Travel Guidebook

"Hack Solo Travel: A Practical and Civil Guide to World Adventuring for Broke Babes" by Maria Malyk (2021) is a guidebook for young broke Americans who dream of international travel but don't know where to start. More at: HackSoloTravel.com #solotravel #budgetTravel

When shopping for well-designed luggage, I've learned to buy "mens"/"unisex" labeled ones. Women's bags prioritize fashion over functionality, infantility over utility. Pink colors, childish graphics, weighty metallic embellishments: as an adult person, I can't relate to this!

Long-term #travelers, do you time your purchases/ATM withdrawals around more favorable exchange rates? Meaning: Do you track the exchange rate in the country you're visiting & wait out the lows before shopping? Or ignore the rate & spend money purely at your convenience?

As a #solotraveler, do you chat w/ the person seated next to you on the plane/train/bus/boat? Back in the day, passengers were social w/ each other. Nowadays, most people keep to themselves. I mind my own business -- but, occasionally, I let myself get drawn into a convo. You?

The climate in Playa del Carmen is so hot & humid that my short-sleeve t-shirts have to be separated into "summer" and "winter" options -- with only the lightest-fabric ones making the cut for the summer months.

Alcohol-free holidays make sense b/c: - even in budget destinations, anything other than beer is expensive - if you don't drink, the last thing you want is to be around drunks - I'd rather get coffee & stay active than get wasted & sleep through the day travel.nine.com.au/latest/sober-t…

I admire light packers in theory. In practice, I'm puzzled when people claim to "wear the same outfit for a week straight". As an active #solotravel-er, I wear 2 sets of clothes a day to ensure I look fresh & don't stink. Do other people not sweat?? Or do they stink & not care?

Have you ever faced *naysayers* when sharing your #solotravel plans with others? People who express "concerns" rooted in xenophobic hearsay & fearmongering -- peers, partners, parents? How do you handle it? What do you say to people who try to talk you out of #traveling #solo?

When I'm itching to #solotravel -- but can't leave yet, I do this thing. I walk around familiar areas squinting and defocusing my vision -- pretending that I'm in a faraway destination looking at a whole new landscape. It works! Human imagination is powerful and magical.

#Solotravel tattoos are in. They tend to be: Globe/map Compass/geo-coordinates Airplane/ship/camper van Skyline/landmark/landscape Words/mantras Cultural symbols Perforated lines/EKG "heartbeat" wave/arrows to add a sense of *intrepid movement* Do you have any? What are they?

Sometimes, in #solotravel, there's no choice but to wash laundry by hand. Many backpackers swear by the *universal sink plug*. I can't -- I know too much about budget facilities to trust those sinks! I just buy a cheap plastic tub & leave it there for the next "victim". You?

Heard a comedian say: don't teach kids not to talk to strangers -- teach them how to break out of strangers' vans 🤣 It's a joke, but it applies to #solotravel. Don't let fear stop you from exploring the unknown -- but be prepared for (realistic) worst-case scenarios. Agree?

Pity vs Compassion Pity comes from a mix of pride & superiority. I pity my enemies after destroying them. For those who haven't wronged me, I have empathy & compassion. I "feel their pain" & want it to end. Travelers should know the difference before doing "charity" abroad.

June 29 is #ChronicMigraine Awareness Day. Those of us suffering from this hellish condition are *quite aware* of it already. But, as an #InvisibleDisability, it doesn't get much public attention or understanding. Here's an oldie of mine on this topic. medium.com/@maryamirabell…

My mom just non-chalantly told me about how she was on a small airplane somewhere in the USSR, sitting next to a snake-ologist -- and all his snakes got loose and they spent the rest of the flight searching for them. They weren't venomous, my mom clarified, so no big deal LOL

I'm a language geek. However, as a #solotravel-er, I know that spoken language is not *essential* for creating a human connection. There are *universal* languages like music, for example. Listen, dance or vocalize with others -- or join a jam session -- no words needed to bond!

This is why I'm a freelancer LOL #solotravel

Dear Brain User, The involuntary ruminations your mind produces as part of C-PTSD are now available in Español (in addition to Engish & Russian). This will not improve your mental health, but your Rage is now eligible for a degree in Combined Languages. -- management #mylife

Homesickness is legit in boarding-school children & active-duty soldiers. Conversely, feeling homesick while #solotravel-ing is just a phase. Your brain is reacting to an unfamiliar environment w/ discomfort. Give it a chance to "acclimate" -- and that anxiety will pass. Agree?