Travel: Take A Few Steps Back

Solo Travel India

L to R: Nastaran, Me and Zahra


Solo trips are my forte. I can choose to carry out my own agenda or go on a whim. I become vulnerable – making new friends and leaning to the hearts of strangers to move me along. For a moment in time, I’m able to escape reality.

One of these trips led me to Jaipur, Rajasthan, known as the Pink City of India*. Nastaran and Zahra became my companions within a small tour group of 6. They were friends from Iran, and a family of 3 from India completed the entourage.

“When are we going to ride the elephants? You said we were going to ride the elephants up here!” Zahra said to the tour guide with a ‘You can’t get over on me’ attitude. And Nastaran barely spoke English, so Zahra translated her input. Each time they called out his BS, my brain was throwing curveballs because I assumed they'd be meek.

I had no choice, but to take one step back.

Women in Iran are “supposed” to be docile and conservative…at least that’s what I was taught through Western media. But shhhiiiiitttt, NOT Zahra and Nastaran. My prejudices were instantly overthrown and I loved every bit of it – giving them smiles and invisible fist pumps the whole way thru. Needless to say, they got to ride the elephants!

When we stopped to eat lunch, we stuffed our faces and talked about many things: life, family, and of course, men! Picture three unmarried ladies from totally different worlds…surprisingly sharing the same views. But how could this be?

I took another step back.

When the bill came, it was an automatic assumption that I’d pay my own portion. I reached for my Indian rupees and both Zahra and Nastaran yelled, “No! No! You’re our guest!” I refused, but they won the fight in a place that was none of our “homes.”

Another step back.

Solo Travel India

Through travel, everything learned is always put to the test: my sense of direction, purpose in life, social skills, haggling abilities, spirituality, and prejudices (that we claim not to have). I accept or reject whatever interpretations are thrown my way…exercising maturity and tolerance…unashamed.

Rather than depending on the media or one-sided sources of information for answers…TRAVEL…ask questions to real people, who are living and breathing the same air as you OR pick up a damn book!

I continue to have faith in humanity.

Thank you Zahra and Nastaran 🙂

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*The city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876.