​Thank you Shareable!
​
I am truly honored. 
I look forward to getting my
MBA for the Next Economy.

Congratulations to Chana Widawski who will be the Shareable Fellow in Cohort XI of the Next Economy MBA Program; a 9-month journey for emerging leaders of an equitable, inclusive, and regenerative economy from Lift Economy.
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Chana is the third Shareable community member to receive this fellowship, and we would like to thank everyone who applied for this round.

It is a great honor to be a presenter at the 9th International Degrowth Conference
in Zagreb, Croatia.

Attended by academics, economists, activists and doers from across the globe, the conference focuses on a future which prioritizes social and ecological well-being over corporate profits and excess consumption. The movement seeks to ensure the well-being of everyone in society without exceeding planetary boundaries.
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My presentation focused on my work transforming a vacant NYC storefront into an alternative economy neighborhood sharing hub. 

​What is missing for me is deeper thinking about more sustainable, body-centered, trauma-informed tools for permeating mental health and well-being. My own burnout was exacerbated by excessive screen time and always being "on." According to The Cleveland Clinic, burnout is so common because technology plays such a significant part in the work field today, making it difficult to maintain necessary boundaries.

The answer must go beyond remote work opportunities. Even for those who are humbled by nature or even scared by some of its elements, a well-facilitated, immersive natural experience can be a life-changing investment that not only provides mental, emotional, spiritual and physical balance but where lessons are deposited in our muscles and bones, in our hearts and spirits to impact our entire beings and our work. 

When people are killed or injured in traffic crashes, lives and spirits, as well as limbs and joints, can be left shattered. Friends, loved ones, and acquaintances are often mystified by how to be supportive and how to talk about what happened, both in the immediate aftermath and months and years after a crash. For safe streets advocates, connecting with those who have paid such a personal price for traffic violence can also be a challenge, whether to offer assistance, comfort, and hope, or to engage them in advocacy and activism to prevent future carnage.

Families for Safe Streets — an advocacy and support organization comprised of people who have been personally impacted by traffic violence, this year marking its fifth anniversary — has found several effective models and strategies for doing this work. Our road map is based on the support, resources, and advice that have been most helpful or desired by our members.

Making the Connection

Unless a crash happened to someone you know, the random nature of traffic violence may make it difficult for advocates to find those who have been affected. Not everyone will be open to connecting and it would be futile to look for and reach out to every single person involved in a traffic crash in your community.

At Families for Safe Streets, we instead employ a multi-pronged approach to increase awareness of our organization, allowing interested people to easily find us. We publicize our services and contact information far and wide, both online and in-person. This includes having a strong social media presence; being visible at vigils, public memorials, ghost bike installations, and community meetings; and building relationships with referral sources like hospitals, attorneys, police, clergy, and media. We distribute organizational postcards in multiple languages and use community, political, media, and personal connections to reach out directly in the aftermath of crashes.

In one example, a group of Families for Safe Streets members attended a vigil for a nine-year-old boy who was killed while walking in the crosswalk with his mother. His grieving parents were so moved by the presence of other bereaved parents that they joined the organization and started speaking out as advocates only weeks later. In another, a widow whose husband was killed while bicycling, intrigued by a photo in a local community paper of members wearing Families for Safe Streets’ t-shirts, discovered our website and has since found camaraderie in our support services and an outlet for her desire to make meaningful change. Yet another member, who is now speaking at press conferences and community board meetings, learned about our support community through his therapist who had either been to a presentation or saw a blurb in one of many community emails we ask elected officials and community organizations to send out. In these ways, by being a constant public presence with a clear purpose, the needful public can find us as they are ready.

Providing Needed Services

As you meet people affected by traffic violence, be sensitive to whether they are just in need of a listening ear, support services, and logistical assistance, or if they are interested in and ready for advocacy. Having an arsenal of resources is essential. Families for Safe Streets provides a downloadable online manual and offers peer support, monthly support communities, and referral guidance.

If you find someone who is ready for advocacy, be conscious of schedules and especially of comfort level. Offer a range of opportunities to engage, from a one-time appearance at a press conference, to attending a support group or leading a campaign for change on our streets. At Families for Safe Streets, we aim to give our members a place to find meaning and support they are unlikely to find anywhere else, always keeping in mind that people come to our group with different needs and expectations.

In New York City, we have found that Families for Safe Streets can bring a human face to statistics that can otherwise seem meaningless and give government agencies the backing they need to resist the inevitable pushback against street safety efforts. However, for all that powerful meaning, it is critical to respect the boundaries and limitations of people in mourning or overcoming trauma. These boundaries may fluctuate over time. The most important thing you can do while working with victims of traffic violence is to allow them to steer, always paying heed to not be exploitative.

Lastly, it is important to recognize the differences between injury and loss. Inspired by a young woman, who after her own crash started a group to connect with others who had been injured, Families for Safe Streets offers a separate community for traffic injury support.

The Reality of Trauma

Confronting the tragedy of losing a loved one or being seriously injured in an instant typically causes a reaction of shock and disbelief, as well as a mix of depression, anger, anxiety, and hopelessness. Dealing with heartbreak and grief, plus physical pain for those who have been injured, is an exhausting full-time job that often takes place while practical and legal issues demand attention. To top it off, the burden is often exacerbated by feelings of isolation and a sense of being alienated from the rest of the world.

The experience of grief and trauma is an assault to the whole body and can have an impact on brain function and behavior. Awareness of the science behind the short- and long-term implications of trauma can be especially important for staff, volunteers, and even friends and family. If making therapist referrals, consider someone who is informed and sensitive to the issues of trauma. If you get into a space where you are unsure of what to say or do, keep in mind that merely listening actively, without judgment, advice, or an agenda, can be hugely impactful.

Knowing What to Say and Do

It is both daunting and a privilege to connect with a fellow human being during their darkest hours, whether as a loved one or acquaintance or as a safe streets advocate. It requires the emotional stamina to tolerate someone else’s suffering and to convey a willingness to listen to their story without minimizing the tragedy.

Be conscious of not wanting to intrude on someone’s private life during a time of crisis, but also remember that most people respond with relief to offers of support from an informed party whose only objective is to support and understand their heartbreak. It is not necessary to share the experience of a traffic trauma to effectively reach out with compassion. While there is no “right” way to listening to someone’s story, there are a few things you can do to make sure they feel safe:

First, listen attentively, refrain from interrupting, and ask questions for clarification. You should be laser focused without preconceived ideas of how the conversation “is supposed to” unfold. Be patient and present. There may be silences or gaps in conversations, which do not require comment. Simply bearing witness to someone’s pain has significant power. Even if you have experienced a similar loss or injury, refrain from assuming or articulating that you “understand” anyone’s unique experience.

Next, be sure to acknowledge the tragedy and injustice, and avoid unrealistic or false reassurance that one day they will be “back to normal.” Do not try to talk someone out of their feelings, even if taking their own life is mentioned. This is not an unusual thought, given the circumstances, and does not necessarily warrant the panic button unless they indicate plans for how and when they would do so. In that case, you must alert a professional and call 911.

The conversation may revolve around practical issues rather than emotional ones, like requests for attorneys or physical therapists or questions about how the justice system works. If you are unable to respond knowledgeably, suggest the “Families for Safe Streets Resource Guide” and offer to follow up with more information.
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The impact of traffic violence is a life-altering event and none of us are prepared for the decisions, pain, physical limitations, grief, and emotional consequences that ensue immediately and in the years to come. You can make a difference in someone’s life by merely witnessing their grief, holding their pain, and when appropriate, offering advocacy opportunities to make change. Doing so is a profound contribution.


[This article first appeared in Transportation Alternatives’ Vision Zero Cities Journal in 2019.]


Judith Kottick confronted the unimaginable in 2013 when her 23-year-old daughter, Ella Bandes, was killed by a distracted bus driver. She and her husband joined others who were impacted by traffic violence to form Families for Safe Streets, an organization of Transportation Alternatives. Judith is a clinical social worker and maintains a private practice in New York and New Jersey. 
Chana Widawski is the inaugural organizer for Families for Safe Streets. A social worker with over a decade of experience working with victims and survivors of crime, Chana is also a four-season cyclist, environmental activist, and neighborhood organizer. She serves as Adjunct Faculty at Hunter School of Social Work.

Check out my article 

Bringing the Power of Plastic Recycling to the People

in Shareable!
​

click here

In a world awash with plastic trash, the complexity and cost of recycling plastic on an industrial scale remain a challenge, but one innovative enterprise wants to put the power to recycle in the hands of communities.
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Precious Plastic has developed a scalable DIY recycling model that reconceives plastic waste as a precious resource. Founded by Dutch inventor Dave Hakkens, Precious Plastic offers an open-source template for constructing micro-plastic factories so people around the world can help clean up local neighborhoods and start their own businesses as plastic crafters. The site has step-by-step videos and technical drawings to guide people through collecting plastic waste, shredding it and refabricating it into useful items.

Our volunteers run zero-waste stations at a variety of large-scale events on Governors Island, such as the annual Jazz Age Lawn Party, which helps to build public awareness and excitement around composting. We’re also proud to have helped the Trust for Governors Island go zero-waste. When securing contracts with vendors and festival organizers, zero-waste guidelines are now built in from the beginning. This year, we’re launching a buyer’s collective for vendors to bulk purchase compostable serviceware like plates, bowls, and cutlery too.
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Check out my article 

How to Set Up a Swap
or Free Store

in Shareable!
​
click here!

​When I first moved to New York City, New York, in the late ’90s, not only did I have friends with impeccable taste who purged their closets bi-annually, I also lived in a high-rise building where neighbors placed give-away items in the compactor room on each floor. My friends and I would go through each other’s “piles,” and every once in awhile, I’d wander through the compactor rooms to salvage discarded gems. Without fail, I always walked away with treasures. Years later, there are few things that bring me more joy than rescuing perfectly good items from trash, which is funny because as the youngest child of three, there were few things I despised more than hand-me-downs.

Organizing a swap or free store can bring the same good fortune to whole communities. Clothing, kitchenware, games, books, plants, and nearly anything else can find new homes. In this age of disposability, it boggles my mind knowing how many items in decent or sometimes even perfect shape end up in landfills. Swaps are win-wins for all. One person’s trash becomes another’s treasure. Someone purges abundance and someone else extends the life of what’s been discarded, diverting it from landfill. Since 2017, I’ve been organizing Swap, Share, and Shmooze events in my Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City. These events are a great way to not only swap stuff, but also share skills and form friendships.

Here are some tips for organizing your own swap or free store:

Step 1: Decide on participants. A group of friends? A whole neighborhood? An organization? They all work well. Small swaps with friends can be fun and intimate, where everyone is comfortable trying on clothing. Public events can turn up all sorts of mystery treasures.

Step 2: Secure a location. The ideas are endless: You can host a swap in in your living room, a bar, a park, a community center, a classroom, or really anywhere. Proper space can determine an event’s success. Some questions to ask: Is it large enough — is there ample space to lay things out visibly and to accommodate the number of people you expect? If it’s a public event, is it accessible to everyone? I’ve been to living room swaps where giant piles of clothing take up a whole couch, making it challenging to find things. The Swap, Share and Shmooze public event I organize takes place in a neighborhood church and has several large round tables, ideal for separating items by type.

Step 3: Determine the focus. What do you want to swap? Clothing? Kitchenware? Costumes? Jewelry? Hats? Books? Tools? All of the above? Swaps and free stores can work for anything. Decide what your focus will be, based on your space and community.  Make sure your publicity is clear.

Step 4: Spread the word. Email and social media outreach can be great, especially if your swap is with friends or through an existing group. For a neighborhood event, get those paper signs to cafes, libraries, and basically anywhere there’s a bulletin board. You can get in touch with local block associations, community boards, and elected officials too.

Step 5: Choose your model. Before everyone appears with giant bags, make sure you have a plan in mind or chaos will ensue. I’ve been to apartment swaps featuring a show-and-tell of each item before it’s placed in a specified area.  At our Swap, Share and Shmooze, we put signs on each table and have everyone place their own items before shopping. Volunteers help facilitate this process. We also set up a potluck snack table and one for business cards, flyers, and other materials.

Step 6: Organize a pick-up for leftovers. Even the most successful events will have unclaimed items. For small, home-based swaps, it might be easy to bring remaining items to a local shelter or thrift shop. For our larger scale events, we pre-arrange a pick-up by the United War Veterans Council or similar nonprofit organizations.

Step 7: Keep things organized. For large-scale events, collaborate with others to keep things structured and set the tone for positivity. You may even want to post ground rules. We’ve never done so but I once saw a pretty awful tug-of-war at an outdoor free store. At one of the yearly apartment swaps I go to, before officially claiming something, the item must be held up to see if anyone else is also interested. It always works out peacefully. Have your system in mind and communicate it clearly.
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Step 8: Have fun, feel good, take photos, and model your finds. For clothing swaps, it is good to have mirrors available. At any event, it is important to have at least some seating. Providing drinks and snacks is a good idea, though not always necessary.

From doggie toothpaste and Gucci boots to cast-iron pans, feather boas, bicycle helmets and lots of other quirky, useful items, our second Swap, Share and Shmooze in Hell’s Kitchen was a huge success. And not just for material things. We shared laughs, stories, ideas, friends, business cards, recipes, and houseplants.  Most importantly, we shared a sense of community, no small feat in our quickly changing neighborhood.

Sharing Since Childhood

​As the youngest of three girls, when I was a kid, the mere mention of hand-me-downs had my eyes rolling. I never got a new Barbie. And, with sisters 13 months apart, who often dressed as twins, I’d inherit two of each outfit. Sometimes we all dressed alike, which meant as soon as I outgrew my red silk 70’s shirt, I got two more. “Why bother to buy new things when these are perfectly good?” I couldn’t really argue. I knew I couldn’t win.

As the child of a Holocaust Survivor, I lived in a home where purpose and function were found in everything. Our house was full of rescued glass jars for storing things, colorful “disposable” utensils that were washed and never thrown away, Legos and wooden blocks passed down through generations, and memorable bed sheets with hippos and Peanuts characters used for years by my cousins.

Eyes No Longer Roll in Hell’s Kitchen

I cringed, I frowned, I might have even whined about wanting new things just for me. And here I am now, living in NYC, with eyes that no longer roll. Instead, they open wide like saucers at the first glance of give-away-bags, free-stuff bins, garage sales, thrift shops, and even grocery store discards.

We are living in times of immense abundance. Our often-tiny apartments can’t keep up with what we buy and especially what we’re handed down and are tempted to rescue.
While inspired partially by my limited budget (I’m a social worker and writer), I am flabbergasted by the sheer irresponsibility of the fashion industry, and particularly “fast fashion”.  Did you know that it is the second largest polluter in the world behind the oil industry?

I say no to rivers polluted by toxic dyes and to garment workers barely paid a living wage for clothing that won’t even last a year. I invite neighbors and friends to swaps so we can limit our participation in this wasteful consumer industry.

Swapping Instead of Shopping Can Bring Great Joy

It’s much more interesting to hear, “These mahjong tiles were used every Wednesday in the tenements of the Lower East Side by my neighbor’s great aunt” than “I bought them on Amazon.” I love carrying Rebecca’s mom’s vintage purse and I get endless compliments on my wrap skirt with jungle animals. Plus, what would I possibly do without a shiny golden phone receiver to plug into my cell phone?

Last Earth Day, We Organized Hell’s Kitchen’s First Swap, Share and Shmooze

Our goal: create a night for our NYC Hell’s Kitchen neighbors to clean out crowded pads, find some awesome gems, make good connections (work? activism?), socialize, and have a fun night.  People left with cashmere sweaters, printers, board games, vintage hats, and a reminder of what can happen when we come together. We answered the call for more swapping, sharing and schmoozing and held our 2nd cash-free exchange on January 8, a New Year’s Edition.

​Swapping Helps Neighbors Connect

Young and old, long-time Hell’s Kitchen residents and neighborhood newbies all joined in on the fun. “I don’t understand why we don’t have to pay for these things”, said an enthusiastic elementary school-aged participant while holding up a handful of finger puppets.

As luxury high rises replace historic walk-ups, and expensive bars replace affordable groceries, there are now Hell’s Kitchenites who practically throw away diamonds and others who can barely get by. Our Swap, Share and Shmooze events form a powerful bridge, bringing everyone together for the opportunity to give, receive, learn and connect.

How We Planned our Swap, Share and Shmooze in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen

As volunteers, we have been forging collaborations with neighborhood entities to plan free community events in public spaces for years. We call ourselves Hell’s Kitchen Commons. For the swap, it was exciting that long-time community partner, Crossroads Community Church was happy to share their space. It is full of big round tables, perfect for setting up our neighborhood free store.

Then we started to spread the word, using our lists, social media, signs in the neighborhood and word of mouth. We designated each table for specific categories;  and in a matter of moments, we had a full free store. We pre-arranged a pick-up by the United War Veterans Council for anything that remained.

We’re already cooking up plans for our next free shop in Hell’s Kitchen, April 16, Earth Month edition. We’re looking forward to a fabulous eve of swapping, sharing and schmoozing, Hell’s Kitchen style. Want some advice setting up your own swap event? Leave a comment below — OR GET IN TOUCH VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE — and we’ll be happy to help!

Check out my article for
National Bike Month
in Huffington Post!

Traveling the World....A Lady and Her Bicycle
​click here
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While I made my way to Little Rann of Kutch to see the seasonal salt marsh formations, beautiful migrating birds and the esteemed Wild Ass Sanctuary, I unsurprisingly found myself staying at yet another beautiful accommodation which felt more like a community - rich in history, a clear commitment to core eco-values and filled with solid characters like Stella and Alan Sekers.

​It was 5:30am in Ahmedabad, Gujrat when I hopped off the rickety sleeper bus from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, my head still spinning from the epic month and a half I spent in the desert city of mystique and charm.   Finally back in travel mode, I donned my backpack and walked to the Central Bus Station, fending off countless rickshaw and chai wallahs.  Though tired as can be, I was excited to land my window seat on the local bus where five other people joined me on a bench designed for three.  

My bus dropped me at the little intersection of Dasada, where I relished in the opportunity to wait for my pick-up surrounded by goats, cows, jharu-sweepers and locals who stared at me in wonder.  When the desert safari jeep appeared, I cringed at the sight of such a “tourist” vehicle.  
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​A short drive later however, I was dropped at Desert Coursers, and was immediately impressed by the sustainably designed round huts and beautiful lounge area made of cow dung, all adorned with colorful textiles and beautiful local flair. I happily filled my water bottle, excited to see the filtered water dispenser I dream of seeing at accommodations around the country (but rarely ever do!)

​One of my travel highlights has always been meeting an incredible array of people from around the globe – particularly those who are passionate, concerned, engaged and active.   A full dose of chai gave me enough of a wake-up to be enthralled by great breakfast conversation with Stella and Alan Seker (and their friends Steve and Pete,) all proudly hailing from England and contagious with love for Zainabad, a pretty small dot on the map (keep zooming in on the gps and you’ll find it!)  

​Here at Desert Coursers for the 6th time, Stella and Alan are spending much of their India visit at the Smt. Zubedabegam High School secondary school, one of the many schools built by Kuvar Shri Dhanraj Malik (of Desert Coursers) after the destructive earthquake of 2001.  They are facilitating the second “This Is My Zainabad” book, a stunning catalog of photographs taken by local fourteen-year-old children using cameras for the first time in their lives, capturing Zainabad as they know it. 

​Recognizing that old ways of village life are quickly disappearing, Stella and Alan hatched the idea for this photo and mapping project as a way for the students to create a visual record for their future children and grandchildren, showing how families have lived and worked in Zainabad for generations.   With seven villages spanning approximately 80 square kilometers in the Kathiawar peninsula, farming and salt manufacturing are the primary sources of income (mining 100kg of salt will earn a family approximately 21 whopping rupees.)
 
And wow, these young documentarians have run with it!  When I saw the 2015 photo book, I was blown away - both by the quality of the photographs and the students’ impressive eye for the beauty of their daily lives.

The boys and girls who volunteer for the project are given a simple lesson by Stella and Alan on how to use a basic digital camera.  They then pick a particular aspect of Zainabad life to map and record.   ​

​With passion, love and talent, Stella and Alan compile the colorful photos and maps created by the students into a beautifully bound book.  The 2015 edition was divided into chapters for home, crops, food, carrying, professions, decoration and design, family, salt, and one capturing the photographers themselves.   

​What a joy to sit around the beautiful cow dung outdoor lounge area at Desert Coursers, sharing photos of blue bulls, flamingos and the once nearly extinct Wild Ass, hearing Stella’s and Alan’s stories of working with the students, flipping the pages of the gorgeous book and feeling their passion for sticking around in one place and getting to truly know the circumstances and issues of local life.   Stella, Alan, Pete (funded the book) and Steve (their original connection to Desert Coursers) have a beautiful relationship with Dhanraj’s family and I’m grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to get to know three generations of this clan, so committed to the environment and to the education and well being of the local community.  

Five months into my amazing India travel experience, made possible by India Someday’s absolutely brilliant ‘You Wander We Pay’ contest, I bear the good news that I’m alive and well, perhaps even glowing, as I dream about where to venture next in this country of chaos and charm.
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Probably not what you would expect to read if you, like many others I know, have been too daunted to make your way to India, deterred by the countless blogs which warn women endlessly about the dirt, disorder and demeaning behavior of the ‘terrible male species.’
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Well, here are six thoughts I think you should keep in mind if heading this way. And fear not, they are not designed to scare the chapatti out of you!

1) It’s pretty damn amazing here! Mind the media!
All too often, it’s the gloom and doom of life that’s presented to us in our media, instilling fear and emphasizing negativity. Keep that in mind! I’m not suggesting bad things don’t happen – they surely do, all over the world. And huge kudos to those who share their experiences and raise critical awareness of gender based violence of any sort. So I say yes, read it all! Hear the important voices of survivors and fellow travelers, increasing awareness and sharing safety tips. There is lots of good advice out there.
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Just beware! It’s not the full story! There are thousands of us women who are having stellar, incident-free expeditions through India, immersing in the culture and commotion, day and night, in cities and villages, with women and men – and we are more than safe, we’re having the time of our lives!

​2)You will be stared at – You are fascinating!
Whether you’re on the Metro platform in Delhi or walking through a small village in Uttarakhand, you WILL be stared at. You can count on it.   All the moreso if you have very fair skin or blonde curly hair! I’ve had people literally come stand a foot away from me, looking me up and down, even sneaking selfie shots with me, as if I wouldn’t notice.
Many women travelers are horrified by this and have told me they feel like sexual objects. While I can empathize, knowing we carry with us our personal and shared histories as women, I personally feel more like an object of cultural curiosity and am not at all offended. Isn’t that a big part of why we’re here too?! One of my favorite parts of traveling in India is the amazing parade of people. I could watch and stare all day!

So yes, I do feel eyes on me, but I feel more like a walking museum of western life than a sexual object. I can feel their fascination with my white skin, my freckles, my smile, my jewelry, my clothes, my bag, my shoes. I feel them wondering about who I am, what I do, how I think, not just what I look like naked. And trust me, I do know that feeling of being objectified – I just happen to feel it much more on the streets of New York City than here in India.
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Of course, as with anywhere, there will be some obnoxious souls you might encounter (Indian men will often be the first to warn you about them), but after 5 months of some pretty intense travel through cities and villages, using public transportation, immersing pretty deeply in local life, and following my gut, I’m happy to say that I don’t think that’s the norm. Some men in fact, might not even look at you at all, declining eye contact even while you’re in conversation.

3) Positive Energy is Palpable! Being present. Being open.
I’ve been blown away by the positive energy here in India. Perhaps it’s one of my favorite parts of this country. I’ve traveled to many places around the world and never have I felt so much positivity. From the breathtaking natural environments of wide open deserts (Jaisalmer, Rann of Kutch), to the stunning mountains of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the powerful rivers, the glorious beaches, the endless farmland, and even the chaotic streets filled with people and cows. The beauty of the land coupled by the brilliant colors of clothing and other textiles can at times even feel over-stimulating and nourishing for the eyes and soul! And then there’s the people – for whom the answer to any question is “yes, possible!”

Take it in! Breathe it! Be present and live in the moment! Savor it! Feel its healing power! Let your guard down!

Put those fear-mongering blogs in the back of your mind – and get to know the locals, even the men! Many travelers come to India and spend their time only seeing sites and enjoying the comforts of their accommodations and fellow travelers but being open to the people and culture will truly enrich your experience. It will also get you the directions and guidance you need, sometimes without even asking (the majority of people simply want to connect with you and help – not get in your pants!)

The eye contact to be made, with women and men alike, especially while circling the white marble floors of the Golden Temple grounds, is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Even while on buses or walking the streets, connecting eyes and exchanging genuine smiles (and perhaps a head bobble too) is powerfully beautiful – and harmless! The majority of people, women and men, are sincerely interested in you culturally, offering you chai because of their Indian hospitality and to interact with you, as a human.

Let your guard down (to whatever extent feels comfy and safe) and be as open as you can. I for one have found myself eating the most delicious meals, experiencing incredible wildlife and even dressing in full traditional Kutch exquisite handmade clothing – all because of my openness.
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Embracing the positivity, and moving the fear factor to the backseat (still need the info to inform your gut) will surely offer you a truly memorable India experience.

4) Strength in Numbers!
No, I don’t mean its better to travel with a crowd, though at times, it sure is fun! I mean there are TONS of us out here. Every week, I’m newly inspired and empowered by the caliber of solo women travelers I meet.
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And not just westerners. To many Indians’ surprise, I regularly meet awesome Indian women who have quit their conventional jobs, donned their backpacks and are out exploring their incredible country, many of them blogging about it too. Many others are venturing out for long weekends and shorter trips, plotting their grand plans for longer-term adventures.

We draw strength and passion from each other. We women are oozing with cultural curiosity, passion for nature and desire for healing, self-growth and connection, both for ourselves and others.

Despite our masses, many will still be uber impressed by how brave you are (little do they know how much easier it often is to travel solo) and you will still frequently be asked if you are single, if you have kids and why not! Roll with the questions, as you like, having fun and embracing the opportunity for dialogue, even if it feels better to white-lie your answers. All the more interesting if you connect with local women and women’s organizations, bearing witness to their experiences too. One of my favorite moments was chitchatting about periods with the 14 and 19-year-old sisters from Dharamkot whose home I stay in. They loved my diva cup (definitely something I recommend for all menstruating travelers!)
Such an amazing collection of women I feel honored to now know and learn from (and with). From a 19-year-old German, navigating her way through Rajasthan to the Indian woman who left her marriage and is seeking my travel suggestions to the Brit in her 70s covering more of the unbeaten path than any other I’ve met.

An incredible sisterhood – inspiring, empowering and making change!

​5) Being your true self!
The more you travel and the more you live, the more you know what makes you tick – what inspires you, challenges you, nourishes you, strengthens you, brings you the most fun and the list could go on. Go after those things and go at the pace that feels right for you, even if it means straying from the path that you’ve read about, think you’re ‘supposed to do’ or see others doing. This has landed me in the most amazing local and nature scenes, connecting with people with shared values and leading me from one great opportunity to the next.
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Remember that there are no wrong turns – if you miss seeing a palace, it’s probably because you had an eye-opening conversation or were in a beautiful park. Maybe you were even in your room doing nothing (ha, that’s never really possible – maybe you really needed that extra sleep or to process your thoughts before heading back out!)  India is a thoroughly overstimulating place! Staying in one area and unfolding the many layers; moving on to experience another terrain, language, style and cuisine; or venturing to a meditation or yoga retreat– all will offer endless anthropological phenomenon.
In India, when asked “why,” the answer is often “why not?” If you keep this philosophy in mind, following your instincts and true-self will be all the more fun.

6) Good decisions and following your gut (a few little tips)
5 incident-free months of amazing travel through India (not even Delhi Belly!) I realize I might indeed be blessed with some good fortune. I’ve also followed some decent advice for making wise decisions, even though it sometimes means sacrificing something my ‘true self’ (see above) would want to wear or do! Here are some of the tips I find most helpful.

Have I mentioned the vibrant colors and amazing patterns of all the textiles and clothing?   Well, dive in! Leave your spaghetti-strap tanks at home (in fact, leave everything at home and carry the lightest bag possible!) Hit the markets and shop for some colorful scarves and cotton kurtas(loose, long tunics worn by Indian women). The hardest part will be choosing! Or wear other clothing that keeps you covered. India is a pretty conservative country.
Covering your shoulders and legs might make you a little hotter temperature-wise but you’re bound to feel much comfier in other ways. It will certainly help make the inevitable staring feel benign and a colorful kurta will earn you an extra smile or two.

Enjoy the conversation! You’ll be asked over and over again about what country you’re from and often the convo can become much more substantive and interesting. Get into it, enjoy it – and as you should anywhere, have your clear set of boundaries. Be ready to ease yourself out of the conversation as soon as you get any sort of “icky” feeling.

The stars can be incredible here. Nothing like stargazing in the countryside, where the dearth of electricity means little light pollution. Its not easy to hold me back from a good night walk, especially when my strong instincts don’t smell any danger, but I make that sacrifice, both in cities and in villages – I don’t do a lot of walking alone outside at night. Thankfully, there’s almost always something fun going on to watch, talk about, cook, eat or play inside!

Local is often better. In big cities, I love taking the public transportation and to get between cities and states, the trains and buses are stellar. Look out for “all-women” cars on local trains, usually all the way at the front or back. Amazing to ride with so much fun color and energy, a packed car full of traditional women carrying things on their heads and contemporary women heading to a whole array of jobs. There are even special lines for women to purchase tickets and some cities now have a fleet of all-women rickshaws.

For long train travel, I recommend either 2nd class AC or Sleeper Car, and in Sleeper, top bunk is best. Lots of stories out there of women who have been groped but I have yet to meet someone this has happened to. I love Sleeper Class because it’s always easy to connect with trusted Indian women, many traveling with their families. They will happily keep an eye on your bag when you go to the bathroom, and will certainly offer you some of the home cooked food they brought on their journey. Because lots of peddlers and other people can come in and out of the train car, being on the top bunk gives you a safe place for your bags and lets you take it all in from a distance. I LOVE these train rides. Overnight sleeper buses are pretty great too; though beware of the double sleeper. It is meant for two and unless you know who you’re sharing it with, it’s probably not a good idea! Again, upper level is more private but bottom level is definitely less bumpy!

Bottom line ladies, as you would/should anywhere in the world, my best advice while traveling India is to be aware, use common sense, follow your gut and make sure to enjoy the fabulous people and positive energy of this blessed country!
 
Namaste!

Thank you India Someday
Thank you You Wander We Pay
Thank you Incredible India


This article originally appeared on India Someday.