Hey everyone

I am planning a trip to India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia from Jan to July 2004, but am a bit considered as I will be travelling alone. How safe is it for a woman to travel through India alone (its my first trip)?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I would be keen to meet up with people along the way....

I love the outdoors, am easygoing, and love having fun

Thanks,
Nic

hi there. im in bolivia at present but have been to india several times.
the women i met along the way who were alone ahd not experienced any serious problema.
things to be careful of. all the usual stuff really. dont go of on your own with a guy although if you do it will probably be ok, although it will be hot dont walk round in next to nothing, this would be disrespectful towards them. dont leave your baggage unattended but i 3 times left my very expensive cameras and 3 times they were returned to me by small children chasing me down roads.
finally expect people to be curious. it is naver threatening but until you get used to there curiousity it may feel threatening and will almost certainly piss you off. my advise on this one is make as little eye contact as possible with people unless you genuinly want to talk to them. as soon as one has you they could all turn up, and secondly go there with an open mind, plenty of patience and just wonder at the madness. i loved it ,im sure you will too.
ps. there are thousands of westerners there all the time. if you are even a little bit outgoing you will have no problem hooking up with people if that is what you want.