Is Kyrgyzstan safe for solo female travellers? Yes, Kyrgzstan is safe for female travelers, locals are always welcoming with smiles. Still, girls and women in Kyrgyzstan had assigned roles. The Kyrgyz society expects us to become good wives, have kids, and stay home to take care of the family and the house. NomadHer, an app for solo female travelers had the pleasure to interview Aishola, who currently lives in Kyrgyzstan. She has travelled in 15 countries and just came back from a 2000km tandem tour! She inspires a lot of women to go on their own adventures, and she shared her thoughts on solo female travelling.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself, when did you start travelling alone? Why? What is your current situation?

Hi, My name is Aishola. I am from Kyrgyzstan, a small country located in the heart of Central Asia. I recently came back home from a 2000km tandem tour through the UK and Georgia with my partner. I am 24 years old and I do a variety of things - I am a photographer, communication specialist, interpreter and illustrator. I think we are so lucky to live in a world where we can choose what we want to do for a living.

Unfortunately, girls and women in my country traditionally had assigned roles. The kyrgyz society expects us to become good wives, have kids, and stay home to take care of the family and the house.

I grew up in a small town and as a child I used to love reading lots of adventure books like 'Robinson Crusoe'. I was curious about the world and always wanted to know what it is like out there. Back then my family couldn't afford travelling to other countries and I think this pushed me to look for opportunities to travel for free. I used to apply for youth conferences, academic scholarships and volunteering programs abroad that were covering all expenses.

I was 16 when I visited the neighbouring country Kazakhstan with a friend to film a movie about a small Krishna community there. I remember wearing a sari and helping to cook meals for the monks and in return they provided us a place to live in a village for a week. In the evenings we used to spend time listening to music and prayers in the temple. I never knew about this culture in my life and it was amazing to be out there to get to know them.

There are so many opportunities for travelling even when you don't have any money. I did a theatre performance at the Strasbourg parliament in France, I was invited as a speaker to the Philippines at a global citizen summit, and I went to Denmark as a young leader and spent a year volunteering in Germany.

I still remember my first solo trip to New York when I was 17, exploring the city alone with my old camera and only 100$ in my pocket. Just imagine a girl from a small country, travelling 6000 miles solo to the megapolis? It felt like being in a Hollywood movie! I came back to the states for a year again as an exchange student and travelled a lot, visiting other states. My friends from college were asking me if I am not afraid to be sexually assaulted while travelling solo.

I was 18 and it was quite scary but I was determined to see more of the country while I had a chance. My scholarship covered my study expenses and I also used to receive 300$ each month. It wasn't a lot but I used to save up and travel on a budget - taking trains, buses, hitchhiking, staying in hostels or Couchsurfing.

You can meet solo female travellers in Kyrgyzstan and meet local female travelers through the NomadHer app! Why don’t you check who other solo female travelers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan are on Google Play Store or on the Apple store?

Which countries did you visit? Which is/are your favourite and why?

I haven't travelled to many countries, around 15, but was lucky to visit some several times. It's quite hard to travel with a kyrgyz passport. I need visas to most of the countries and the process of getting them isn't the easiest and cheapest. I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of the world. It's my dream and I believe dreams come true!

I truly enjoyed India for its nature, music, and food. It was a beautiful and wild country where you get to see and feel a different kinds of life.

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Which country or travel experience really surprised you?

Last autumn, my partner and I cycled through Georgia on a tandem bicycle and people were incredibly generous. One day we were stopped by a lady in a small village called Chinti who waved to us and asked us to wait.

'Wait for what?', - we thought. She ran back to her house and after a few minutes, she approached us with a huge bag of apples. It was very sweet. Another time we stayed with an 80-year-old man living alone high in the mountains. He shared his house, food, and of course the famous Georgian wine with us. We barely knew the language but being there made me feel like I am not a foreigner at all but a family member who came for a visit.

What does travelling alone bring you?

Travelling alone can be intimidating at first, but once you are on the road, you start learning about yourself, you grow and you find what inspires you, you become more motivated to meet people and the great thing is that you can explore places at your own pace.

I think many of us are terrified of being alone, but it's so important to have 'me time. It teaches you to rely on yourself and tests your ability to overcome obstacles and challenges on the way. Although I am not an expert so I am looking forward to spending more time travelling by myself soon again.

Did travelling change something in your life? in the perception of yourself?

Travelling isn't always easy. It's quite challenging because it forces you to leave your comfort zone. It pushes you to grow, to be flexible, to be resilient and we all know, growing isn't always the easiest process.

I always thought I am happy with a 9-5 office job, but travelling full-time this year definitely changed my perspectives on life. I realised there are so many opportunities to work remotely and explore the world at the same time, especially while young.

What would you say to people who say that travelling alone as a woman is dangerous?

People were saying that to me all the time too and every time I would hear that I would start having doubts and think if I am doing the right thing. I like the saying 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'. You can travel alone and minimise dangerous situations. I think that's why the Nomadhers app is so wonderful because it allows you to meet other globetrotters so that you can travel together or find tips and insights on what countries are safe to travel for female solo travellers.

If you want to learn more about women-friendly destinations in Kyrgyzstan, join the NomadHer community and connect with over 10,000 women travelers all around the world! You can join by downloading the app on the Google Play Store or on the Apple store !

How could we change this idea that women shouldn't travel alone, and should go with someone?

I think it's great to collect stories of women who travelled alone in the past and who are travelling those days to show it's possible and absolutely normal to choose to travel solo and that any woman can do that.

What is your worst experience? How did you handle it? Did it have an impact on you, your behaviour or your life?

I try to take things easy because I know that travel doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes it means you can get food poisoning, acne, mosquitoes… or all at the same time! Not long ago I got bed bites all over my body while I was in Georgia.. My whole body was itching and burning for a week.

I was angry at myself for making a decision to stay in that exact hotel and for not checking the bedsheets. But this incident taught me to be grateful for different kinds of experiences on the road. It's important not to dwell on things but just accept circumstances and mistakes and learn from them. Nonetheless, I love travelling and I think those kinds of uncomfortable moments make you truly feel alive.

Today I am proud of who I am and I know what I've been through and know what I want even though it might take a lot of work to achieve things.

What were the difficulties you had to overcome while travelling?

I think I am always overcoming myself. Sometimes I would think oh no I can't do it but then I think Aishola you are here maybe only once in your life, why not make an effort to wake up early to see a sunrise up in the mountain or jump into this cold ocean water or go on this crazy roller coaster. You have you and you can challenge yourself to do things!

Best souvenir while travelling?

I stopped buying souvenirs because most of the time I travel light and on a tight budget but what I truly appreciate is the stories I collect along the way. I love talking to people, photographing, filming stories and making memories and personally this is the best souvenir for me from whatever country I visit.

How do you think travelling can empower women? What advice and tips would you give women who hesitate to travel alone?

Travelling alone makes you stronger. It's challenging but it's the best way to learn about yourself. I think you don't need to immediately start travelling alone to other countries. You can start locally… go for a solo date, go for a solo hike, visit interesting places in your home town. And maybe at some point, plan a trip or just go for a spontaneous adventure to another country.

A message you want to give to the women who will read to you?

It's interesting how we all can build plans but never actually try to make things happen. We often overthink situations too much and simply forget that life is too short. We all have fears and doubts and it takes time and courage to work on yourself - chasing a dream can be terrifying, but giving up on a dream is heartbreaking.

I always remind myself of those words: 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step', Laozi.

You just need one single step and with every new step your confidence will grow!

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