I don’t normally blog about solo travel, even though it is a topic I’m well-versed in. It’s trendy to travel solo as a woman, something I’ve been doing most of my life and never given a second thought. But, recent experience in downtown Los Angeles made me realize that there is a good reason this is a hot topic and maybe I could help someone else by sharing my insights.
Last Sunday I was with friends in Los Angeles, and we decided to take an architecture walk in the Historic Broadway District. In addition to the old vaudeville and movie theaters, you’ll find the Bradbury Building (Blade Runner location), and the Grand Central Market. The theaters date from the 1800’s to the 1960s. On Broadway St. The architectural styles range from Renaissance Revival to Art Deco.
This was once part of the garment and jewelry district too. It’s a wonderful area for photography and for culture and history, which I will cover in a future post.
Historic Broadway District, Los Angeles
So, I’m standing on the street in front of the Bradbury Building taking photographs while my friends have disappeared into the Sprint store next-door to the Bradbury.
Out of nowhere, two guys appear and they are in my space. I wasn’t afraid at first, mostly just annoyed. They had an attitude – street guys doing an I’m cool routine. They didn’t seem threatening but, there were two of them. One of them said, “Hey, you look like a tourist.” I replied back (foolishly perhaps), “Hey, because I am a tourist.”
They then started sort of a rant about the pretty tourist woman on the street. I don’t know if it was meant to be flattering or to distract me but I began to feel uncomfortable. That’s when I knew it was time to make a quick getaway.
I still didn’t feel true fear, but I wasn’t going to wait for it either. I dropped an F bomb and walked away while they yelled at me what I could do with parts of their anatomy I’d prefer not to ponder.
I never felt truly threatened by those guys and they probably weren’t dangerous. The point is that I never saw them coming. They surprised me. Reflecting on that day I realize that I really was vulnerable, even if they weren’t dangerous. What happened?
It was daylight, friends were nearby and though I was on the street there was no one around me. I didn’t know the neighborhood but the car was parked only two blocks away. I felt safe. But, I was distracted by all of the cool architecture.
If I’d been alone, truly alone, my intuitive radar would have been on high alert. I would have been scanning the area for several blocks, not just the block I was on, and I don’t think I would have spoken to those guys at all. In retrospect, I think that was a mistake. I’m not suggesting that women should walk in fear, or even that they should never talk to strangers on the street, but know when to walk and when to run, and when to keep your mouth shut.
Coincidentally, later that day, I was describing the neighborhood to a friend on the phone who said, “Is that where the Canadian girl’s body was found in a water tank on the rooftop of the hotel of her hotel?” Wait, what? I knew nothing about this. I learned that a young Canadian girl, a tourist, had gone missing. Guests in the hotel had been complaining about the color, taste, and smell of the water, thus, the missing girl was found. I was stunned. Yes in fact, we had been in that very neighborhood and walked right past the Hotel Cecil. Now my brief encounter with the two guys on the street seemed more ominous.
I still believe in most cases I’m just as safe on my own as with someone, but there are many factors to consider. My message today is this, do your research, pay attention, and if anything seems the least bit uncomfortable, get the hell out.
If you’d like to read some of the most current news regarding solo women traveling here are some suggestions.
On the blog Breathe Dream Go, an extensive list of resources on solo travel for women.
On Wanderlust and Lipstick tips for staying safe in your hotel room.
On Travel Yourself, tips and links to lots of other articles on solo travel.
On NBC news:
On the Canadian girl Elisa Lam
or follow the discussion #WeGoSolo on twitter.
16 comments
[…] (Originally appeared in Pink Pangea: the Community for Women Who Love to Travel. ) […]
I am truly surprised and pleased at the response this post has received. It’s true that women are more vulnerable and I appreciate all the comments. The reason I wrote this however, is because I think it’s important for women to not be fearful, but proactive, and do everything they can to protect themselves in order to fully enjoy their rights and liberties as a human being.
Women are not safe alone in many areas. I worry for my three grown daughters.
That could easily have happened in your home town. It’s got nothing to do with travelling, and everything to do with being a woman in a sexist world.
The Historical part of Downtown Los Angeles is one of the safest area of Downtown (asides from the concentrated part of Little Tokyo.) Revived restaurants and hangouts are concentrated around that area. Most people and bums around DTLA are not harmful creatures (unless you travel down to skid row with an open wallet drunk at night, which is literally 2 blocks away.) Aggravating words actually can set people off into a bad mood and bring yourself more drama. When random crazy people start yelling in Los Angeles or most urban cities, just quickly walk away with a frown on your face. Although the neighborhood is safe for solo alerted women during the day time, I wouldn’t recommend being alone there after 10pm. I enjoy your post, but being a Los Angeles resident myself, it is sad to see tourists’ skewed point of views of LA.
Hi Frank, thank you for your comments. I don’t think ALL of downtown LA is unsafe for single women. Only this particular area and only at night, as you pointed out, which is why I would not chose to stay in a hotel in that area. I travel to LA often and I’ve never felt unsafe there. I became uncomfortable because there were TWO guys and there really wasn’t anyone else around. But, yes, I should not have said a word – just walked away.
I was traveling with friends in Mexico a few weeks ago and they missed a connecting flight (long story for another day). I suddenly found myself alone in a small fishing town, getting into a cab and praying with all my might that I’d make it safely to the hotel. High alert! I watched everything, particularly the road signs directing us to the hotel zone. Had he turned off that path, I was out of there! We do need to be mindful, whether traveling solo or with others.
excellent tips – and it’s always a good idea to pay attention (even at home!)
After having some scary things happen to me traveling solo in Sri Lanka, this article couldn’t have come at a better time. I am seriously considering traveling with a taser from now on!
I’ve been thinking about this too Val. I don’t travel in Asia and in general, I think I travel places that are pretty safe, but a woman alone has to be doubly alert!
I have travelled solo most of my entire life. But in the last few years I’ve become more aware of my safety. I had an incident in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt which seriously frightened me. Basically, I ended up alone with a local Egyptian Bus Driver on a Hotel Shuttle Bus from the Airport to my Hotel. This guy had promised earlier to drop me at my Hotel before all the others but didn’t keep to his promise. So he started a conversation with me…. at first the conversation was quite normal but it then turned to him telling me that I was beautiful and him wanting to know where my Boyfriend was and asking me if I would meet him during my stay in Sharm El Sheikh. He harassed me all the way back to Hotel and because I didn’t know the area or where he was driving to I had visions of being brought down a laneway or alley and being attacked. I remember that I nearly got down on my knees and thanked God when I arrived safely back at the Hotel. When I recounted my Story to other British Holidaymakers they also were able to tell me that they had met another girl who was travelling solo in Sharm El Sheikh and whilst on a day’s shopping she was locked in a Shop with 2 Men ( presumably the Shop Owners) until she purchased an item from them. So, for any girls or Women planning a solo trip my advice is – know a lot about where you’re going before you go, be aware of the cultural differences and above all do NOT put yourself in harm’s way. Because, it is all too easy for things to go wrong.
Priscilla, Thank you for your story/advice. Very helpful and enlightening. I’d agree, yes, know your location and something about the culture, don’t just show up.
Great advice and thanks for giving it. I often see women out alone is some iffy places and kind of keep them in the corner of my eye to make sure nothing happens. The evil is always among us and we must be watchers for each other. I am so glad you are okay and so glad you took the time to post this. I have been in that Los Angeles neighborhood many times and even I do not think I would go alone. Beautiful and Historic, but full of nooks and crannies to pull you into. Be Safe! XXOO Tin Man
Hi Tin Man, Thanks for reading the story. It is a wonderful neighborhood isn’t it! It was a Sunday afternoon so there were lots of people on the streets, just not that particular corner because the Bradbury Building is on the edge of the neighborhood – the better edge. Still, I’d never go there alone or at night. It’s sketchy!
Thanks for the support. Good luck on your travels!
Good work for following your instincts and getting the hell out of those guys’ way. It’s rough… I mean, I live in Los Angeles and I carry an SLR with me all the time… I could have been mistaken for a tourist myself if I were in your position. Like you though, I’d have probably gone into the Sprint store too… waited for them to disappear before I went back out. You gave good advice. It’s important to always be aware… Trust your instincts! 🙂
Stay safe, girl!
Eartha