A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe

by Faith Conlon

Book Overview

The idea of a journey without companions is too daunting for most travelers. Not so for the women of this collection. These contemporary pioneers savor the ultimate freedom of solo travel. Marybeth Bond discovers the dubious pleasures of desert camel-riding when she decides to follow an ancient Indian trading route. Faith Adiele, a black Buddhist nun, enters a deserted train station at 3:00 a.m. in a Thai village controlled by armed bandits. Ena Singh negotiates with Russian police to visit the blue-domed city of Samarkand. In A Woman Alone, these women and others tell their funny, thrilling, occasionally terrifying, ultimately transformative stories of navigating some of the most unusual destinations on the globe.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158005059X
• ISBN13: 9781580050593
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Seal Press (CA)
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorites

I first read this book a few years ago and LOVED it. This book really reignited my travel bug. The essays are engaging and not too long. I have 4 kids and reading anything of length is generally out of the question. This was great since I could read a full essay while in carpool line, etc. I'm inspired to try a solo trip abroad for the adventure and thrill of being on my own. I gave this book to my mom who also enjoyed it.

It's just the beginning...

I found the essays to be a wonderful combination of wit and introspection while discovering one's own culture and place in the world, exactly what solo travel is all about. Several essays inspired me to seek out the novels from which they were extracted or to explore other writings by the authors. Robyn Davidson's excerpt on her trek through Australia is one such example. Excellent collection!

Inspiring

I purchased this book while traveling alone in Portland (not truly alone since I was visiting friends). I loved every single one of the essays. Each one was well-written, interesting, and inspiring. I thought certain essays would not interest me since the area of the world visited I thought didn't interest me -- and I was completely wrong. After reading this book, I'm game for anything -- and I'd rather do it as a solo traveller. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in embarking on an adventure.

Studly Ladies

Fantastic book. My favorite story in the collection was Peabody's tremendous tale of her hike along a 1,000-mile Buddhist pilgrimage to 88 temples around the island of Shikoku in Japan. Truly the work of a lapidary stylist and soulful sister.

'Wagamama' is great

I have just started to read the tales in this book but especially loved 'Wagamama'! I am pleased to find a book about strong woman making their own way... I look forward to reading the rest of the stories.