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The perception of safety is the biggest obstacle to travel for most people, especially women. Most people are shocked that I am a woman traveling alone on a motorcycle or a bicycle in strange countries like China, Africa, even in Europe and the United States. "Do you carry a gun?" most ask. No I don't. If I carried a gun I might have to use it. I might put myself in a dangerous situation with the rationalization that "oh, I have a gun so I'm safe." I talk about the problems of safety in the American Borders and China Road dispatches. I'll talk about it here. Truthfully, it's more likely that I'll have a traffic accident than to get mugged, raped, or dismembered. I shouldn't be light about this, though, I take the issue of safety very seriously. My rule is that if I get even the slightest weird vibe from some person or place or situation, I go away. Several women who have traveled alone in India have written to me about proper behavior and dress, and how to handle situations where men get out of hand. These letters are in the Advice section. Keep it coming! 1/29 Maduri: My last checkup at the doctors verified that there's no infection or swelling on my knee, and I can take off tomorrow if I'd like. But I'm going to bite the bullet and stay one more day to make absolutely certain the the leg has had rest before I go bending it around too much. Since the back brake is on the left side I won't be using it nearly as hard as if it were on the shifting side (one up and four down entails a lot of knee-using up-shifting). Also there are lots of pleasure travelers on Sundays in addition to the usual truck and bus traffic, and I'd rather not travel on such a busy day. So first thing Monday morning I'll take off, very early, to the Cape - the tip end of India! Today I met a crazy Irishman who is riding a Honda crotchrocket around (an African something? touring/sport bike?, tell me) -- he came through Iran and Pakistan and had quite some adventures to tell. He's just come up from the Cape and says that the road is not busy at all. He liked Varkala, which is my next destination, and says the riding around Periyar wildlife sanctuary is very nice, too. He spent most of the time in Goa and environs stoned out of his mind. Said it took all he had to get up and leave, but he did, and thank goodness left his bag of weed in a toilet days back. BACK TO BODY BACK TO HOME
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