Travel now not tomorrow

  Bus stops are good places to watch people. I often stand, leaning against a wall, observing, not judging, but looking for clues to a story. One day in a wealthy part of London, the road wide and peaceful, I watched an older woman come out of a nearby grand house. When I write that she was wearing a PVC cape, fish net stockings and heels, the outfit might give the wrong impression for a woman of her elder years. However, she had a perfectly pitched bun at the back of her head, subtle makeup and great poise. As she stopped to wait for a bus, a young man said to her, “You look very nice today, ma’am.” She nodded to acknowledge his compliment and thanked him. I felt awe. She had grace, style – her own style – and calm composure. I wanted what she had and wondered where she was going in PVC and fish nets. To visit a lover is too obvious. My preferred story is that she was visiting a husband or former lover who was in a nursing home. The style was too precise. I believe she was d...

 Travel solo - while you're there I once went shopping in Delhi with a woman who thought everyone was staring at her. They weren't, but she was hyper-aware of all that went on. As a result, she looked uneasy, staring suspiciously at everyone. Trying to blend in is not easy, I know, but it is best to be look around you, and walk with confidence rather than cower. Obviously, don't wear a headset on the street. You need to be hear as well as see your surroundings, plus it is a good idea to enjoy your foreign setting. In cafes, enjoy people watching. You're in a new environment, watch how people interact. If you are in a tourist area, observe the other tourists, try and guess where they are from. But stay vigilant. Keep your bag on your lap or hook it over your knee. Never drape it across the back of your chair. When it comes to taxis, use only official cabs. They often come in a uniform colour such as yellow, black, silver. They may be more expensive but they are generally...