In today's date, while people are often stuck in their daily corporate struggles and trying to make time to travel, I got lucky to meet a woman who's battling with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, yet living a life that many dream of! Her travel stories never failed to amaze me, and recently, I had a chance to know more about her inspiring journey.
In conversation with Karishma Shaikh:
What inspired you to embark on solo travel across the world?
"It was 2016 and my first summer in Europe. I always knew life is unpredictable, duh! And I knew I couldn’t waste this beautiful summer of 2016 lying on my couch. There were some chillar left over from my internship and I knew I had to use this pay-cheque well. But I also wanted to challenge myself to try something new. Did I have it in me to step outside my comfort zone, backpack, and dare to sit alone in a restaurant? Well, only one way to find out. So, I whipped out my Blue Waio and booked tickets to 11 cities across 9 countries and explored Europe for a month like a true backpacker, and I have never looked back. Travelled to 34 countries since then out of which over 25 were solo!"
How do you prepare for your journey in terms of managing your lupus symptoms and ensuring your health and safety during your travels?
"In the last 3 years, since Lupus, I had to make my health my priority. While traveling with a chronic illness that can flare up at any moment, things can get complicated, but it is not impossible. I started slow, with a solo weekend in Portugal to eventually riding a scooter across Georgia in 2023.
I make sure to eat, pause and rest, in balance with the number of activities planned. For my safety, I have a backpack that carries all my emergency supplies, which includes painkillers, sweets & biscuits, some electrolytes, heat patches during winter, and water.
While these are the practical aspects of traveling as a lupus warrior, the mental aspect plays a huge role. I always knew, even in those hospital beds that I could not stop travelling. I had to go from staying on my feet all day long exploring cities and mountains to choosing between things to do. While this meant I was constantly missing out on things, the other aspect of even not being able to be there was much worse."
Could you share some memorable experiences or encounters you had while traveling solo in Europe?
"A part of me will always be stuck in 2016 in the “Hostel Ruthensteiner” in Vienna. Vienna was the 9th city on the list of backpacking across Europe. By now I had learned the unspoken rules of backpacking, made friends across oceans, slept in buses and park benches, explored every nook and cranny of the cities I visited while running on a 2 hours sleep schedule, and maybe showered a few times! But in this hostel, I met a group of strangers I would never forget. 10 nationalities, bound by Brits teaching us drinking card games, music, pizza, travel tips, and laughter.
It was here that I met Sam, who insisted I visit Bled, Slovenia. I had never heard of this place, but in 2023 when I finally visited it, I knew only backpackers can come across such hidden gems."
Did you face any specific challenges while traveling Europe, and how did you overcome them?
"As an Indian, I would say I was positively surprised by the amount of walking one does while traveling in Europe. No one ever talks about how many of these gorgeous cities are strictly pedestrian-only. While this is a huge bonus, India is a country where we start our scooters instead of a 5-minute walk. If you truly want to enjoy Europe, I highly recommend walking at least 10k steps before embarking on the trip and buying some comfortable shoes.
The second challenge or surprise I would say will be the amount of 'cold food vs warm food' available in Europe. Europeans prefer cold sandwiches and wraps as quick food and proper meals only in restaurants. Restaurants can get expensive and baguettes every day can be challenging. When I backpack, I make sure to set aside enough for some great meals, try the local cuisine, and stick to sandwiches for the rest. So, this way I save money but I am not bored of cold food."
Which European countries or cities did you find particularly accommodating or supportive for female solo travelers?
"In my overall experience, I have found all the cities that I traveled to be safe for solo female travelers. Although, the Nordic countries do take the award for women’s safety. I was camping and hitching in Iceland and not once did I feel unsafe.
If we talk about mainland Europe, as a first-time solo female traveller these are the cities that I would start with: Copenhagen, Stockholm, Munich, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava, Split, Budapest, Dubrovnik, Krakow, Lisbon, Porto, Amsterdam, Brussels, Zurich, Rome. Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid are safe too but need a little bit of research to avoid a couple of shady areas."
Were there any specific activities or attractions in Europe that you had to modify or avoid due to your lupus, and how did you find alternative ways to enjoy your travels?
"As said earlier, Europe demands a lot of walking and with a chronic illness and bad knees, I tend to avoid climbing towers for viewpoints. I used to love doing this and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to tick mark most of them pre-lupus. Today most cities have elevators and cable cars, which makes it easier for handicapped people like me. The main challenge is the mentality of the general population who do not understand the ‘Invisible Handicap’ life.
Over the years, I also modified my lifestyle and added walking at least 7K to 8K steps every day as a preparation and ease of travel. There are always alternative locations where you can take it slow, and this was very important on my lupus journey. I was traveling to new locations regardless and eventually later I hiked in Faroe, Slovenia, Jordan, and Georgia."
Would you like to give us any tips, especially for solo female travelers, for planning a trip to Europe?
"Planning your first solo trip is mentally very challenging. The most important thing to remember is that you are insanely brave to even have the thought to conceptualize this! Pat your back and get ready to come back a whole new person.
If this is your first trip to Europe, plan well around a blueprint. Make sure you have your accommodations and transportation. This way you don’t end up paying last-minute prices, but leave room for activities. DO NOT plan them. If you are staying in a hostel, the plans just happen, and make the most of them. This way you're safe and going with the flow.
Here are some practical tips to make it easier:
- E-Sim: There are many available in the market and I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Internet is life and although you would have data access everywhere, this is a must
- Maps-Me: offline maps, so you don’t waste paid data. Just download the maps beforehand.
- Sharing your location: Giving updates to a trusted person is important especially if going out for the night.
- Cash: although all the major cards are accepted everywhere in the EU, carry enough cash for emergencies in the LOCAL CURRENCY!
- Accommodation: Read the reviews carefully, and if possible, book only female dorms."
What advice would you give to other individuals who aspire to travel solo in Europe or elsewhere?
"There is something liberating about solo travel. A time dedicated in space just for your shenanigans. You make decisions about things you like and, and learn to take care of yourself. Solo travel taught me to put “myself” first. Be selfish, decisive, and madly in love with myself. These are lessons that cannot be learned any other way.
Here’s my advice to first-time solo travelers:
- Pick an easy country to travel to where you can let your guard down. This will help you meet people, be more open, and get out of your fear/shell a bit. As you become a seasoned traveler with innumerable lessons, even the toughest country will be like child’s play.
- Listen to your gut. This is the strongest voice you’ll have when alone, and she’s always right!
- Be open to new experiences and adventures. Stay hostels not because it’s cheap but because that’s where the “vibe” is. You’ll fall in love with the ambiance and I’ve met some of the most amazing women here.
- They say money will come back your health won’t, and as a lupus warrior, I’m a big believer in this. But money is important. Savings are important. So, ladies remember to split your salary 3 ways to have a long-term relationship with travel: 1) utilities and responsibilities 2) Savings 3) Travel."
I've had the privilege to know Karishma closely, and she's one of the bravest women I have ever met.
All images used in this article were shared by Karishma Shaikh.