A single Asian woman tired of being told she shouldn't go travelling alone heading out solo for the first time. After years of being told that single women will be looked down upon when they travel alone by members of her community, Minreet Kaur has decided to break the mould. Growing up in the UK as an Indian woman, the West Londoner would watch Punjabi men enjoy freedom to explore the world, leaving her wondering why she couldn't do the same.
The thought of travelling as a single woman always appealed to Minreet, but some people in her community made it clear that heading off to other parts of the world alone as a single woman was not appropriate. But now, at the age of 43, Minreet says she is done waiting and worrying about what some people think of her. Despite still being single , she has decided to ignore the naysayers and head off by herself.
"You shouldn't be moulded into getting married and going [travelling] with your partner. I don't want to miss out on it anymore," she told the Mirror. Have you travelled solo before and have a story to tell? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.
com Minreet recognises that not all parts of the UK's Punjabi community are the same and other women may have felt no pressure to couple up before travelling. However, she has spoken to other women from a range of backgrounds who share her feelings and have faced similar pressures. It has been hard at times, especially when Minreet felt that some men in her community like her brother had far fewe.