A Female's Guide to Travel India and other countries safely.

Countries In and around around India subcontinent are culturally and socially similarly. Indeed there are some regional variations and regional nuisances but over all they are very similar.

I came across many forum how to safely travel these countries safely. Since these countries are socially and culturally similar so is their safety and security.

So keeping somethings in your mind will make your travel safer.

Following are few suggestions if you will follow can make your trips safer. These suggestions are complied on the basis of my interaction with other fellow travelers and my personal experience of traveling.

There is an old saying "when in Rome do as the romans do". Same rules and suggestions apply to traveling and touring around the world.

Before you can start the tour you should consider these things:-

• Research about the country and place you are going to visit.
• Research what is considered appropriate and what is considered inappropriate.
• Respect their values and cultures and try not to offend the people.
• Prepare yourself to be stared. 

Once you have decide to take the trip consider these:-

1. Have number of your embassy saved. Do not hesitate to call them when in trouble.
2. Get a sim card at the airport as soon as you land in the country, you might will not get another chance to get a sim card outside.
3. Have local police station phone number, police superintendent phone number saved and if possible local news paper, news network and journalist phone number. Do not hesitate to call them when in trouble.
4. Get on twitter follow get acquainted to handles of Prime minister, president, tourism minister, district admiration, local police, superintendent of police. Once in country if you have any problem or if you have any grievances post here.
5. Always keep a spare phone.
6. Always inform and share details with your family and friends where are you going and with whom you are going.
7. Arrange for random calls from family and friends at random time.
8. Do research about your hotels, hostels, restaurants and tourist spots on various forums and websites like TripAdvisor.
9. Wear Modest clothes.
10. Research the locality before going, do not go to secluded place.
11. Do not drink anything and eat anything given by a stranger.
12. Eat at crowded place.
13. Do not hitch hike and do not take lift from strangers.
14. Avoid handshakes, hugs from strangers instead do namaste.
15. If traveling in private vehicles Always take pictures of vehicle, its number and its drive ,and hare it with friend and family.
16. As much as possible take public buses, metro, train and plane for your travels.
17. Do not tour around the city at night.
18. If followed and stalked immediately take pictures and videos of stalker(stalkers), and immediately contact organizations and officials mentioned in point no 3 and 4.
19. If someone tries to try to touch you inappropriately or groap you and you are sure it is not a bump by mistake and in hurry then cry and shout as loud as you can also take picture and videos of culprit, if deemed necessary call authorities and organizations mentioned in point no 3.
20. Do not drink, do not smoke, do not go to pub or bar these are frowned upon activities.
21. Avoid offer or solicitation of massage or alcoholic drink by a stranger.
22. Do not share room with strangers and do not spend nights with strangers.
23. Get a wedding band or an engagement ring and if you get unwanted solicitation for relationship show them your engagement ring/band and then boldly tell you are already engaged avoid saying that you have a boy friend instead say you have fiancée.
24. Ignore sellers, merchants, beggars and other nuisance do not talk to them, do not give money to them, simply keep on moving.
25. Do not bargain or negotiate at shop and business establishment unless you absolutely want to buy or heir their services.

It is not that you cannot travel safely alone, but when possible try to travel in group with friends. It is more fun and more safer that way.

Your safety is in your hands. Many accidents and bad experiences can be avoided if you are careful and watch your back.