The Nomadic Vision

Let’s talk about the one question I get all the time:
“Is it safe?”

Not “What was your favourite place?”
Not “How do you afford it?”
But “IS. IT. SAFE?”

And look, I get it. You see headlines, hear stories, and suddenly, every country outside your bubble feels like a full-blown war zone. Especially if it’s in Africa or Latin America. God forbid you say you’re going to Gambia , people act like you said “I’m walking into a jungle with a blindfold and no phone.”

So let me debunk some myths.

Africa Is a Continent, Not a Country (and No, It’s Not Just Lions and Chaos)

I’ve travelled through Senegal, Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, and Egypt.
Every country is completely different. And in every single one, I met kind, helpful people who made me feel welcome.

No, I wasn’t robbed.
Yes, I walked around alone.
Yes, I used public transport.

And no. Not once did I feel like I was in danger because I was a woman. Did I stay alert? Obviously. But that’s just common sense, not some Africa-specific warning label.

What’s Actually More Scary Than Safety?

The fear of missing out on life because someone told you it’s “too dangerous.”

You know what’s risky?
Not doing the thing you dream of because of someone else’s fear.

I’ve had the most incredible conversations, random acts of kindness, and laugh-out-loud moments in places people warned me against. And those memories? Worth every bit of the side-eye I got from strangers before I went.

Latin America Isn’t a Narcos Episode

From Mexico to Guatemala to Cuba and Colombia,  guess what? Most days, I was more worried about catching the right chicken bus than being kidnapped.

Yes, Latin America has its challenges. But what most people forget is that real life happens there, too. People go to work. Kids go to school. There are traffic jams and bakery runs and Sunday family barbecues, just like everywhere else. And spoiler: most of them want you to enjoy their country.

What You Don’t Hear in the Headlines

The news won’t tell you about these moments but they define solo travel:

In Latin America, countless taxi drivers not only helped with my bags but waited in front of my hotel to make sure I got inside. Some even refused to leave until I waved from the window.

In Panama, when I was clearly getting sick, a new friend I’d just met pulled over at a pharmacy, grabbed medicine, handed it to me, and kept driving like it was normal. (It melted my heart.)

On my birthday in India, a group of locals I’d met that day surprised me with a cake and sang a traditional Hindu song to me.  On the beach, in the dark, with stars above. One of my favorite birthdays ever.

In Gambia, during a religious holiday with no taxis in sight, an elderly man stood with me until someone from his village passed. He flagged the guy down and asked him to take me on his motorbike.

These are the moments no one asks about. But they’re the reason I keep going.

Let’s Talk About “Safety”

Do things happen? Sure. Things happen in Paris. In New York. In your own city.
But if you’re smart, like, don’t flash your phone at night in an empty alley, you’ll likely be completely fine.

My personal safety tips?

Trust your gut. If a situation feels off, remove yourself.

Dress in a way that you feel comfortable and respectful in, that might mean covering your legs in one place, or not caring at all in another.

Learn a few local phrases. Respect goes a long way.

Ask locals, especially women, what’s safe and what’s not. They know.

Final Word

Yes, be cautious. No, don’t be naïve. But also, don’t let fear make your world small.

The world is big, chaotic, beautiful, and full of people who are just like you; kind, curious, and trying to get through their day.

Don’t let someone else’s fear shrink your life. The world is full of kindness, serendipity, and strangers who’ll go out of their way for you.
You just have to show up.

So next time someone asks “Is it safe?”
I’ll say:
“It’s not just safe. It’s amazing. It’s human. And you should go.”