In Women’s Travel, there was Amelia Earhart, then there was Evelyn Hannon

Today I am so pleased to speak with one of my idols in the travel world, Evelyn Hannon. The title of this article may sound a bit over the top, but it’s the least I can do to shout from the rooftops about how much I love, care, and respect Evelyn, who has been promoting women’s travel such a very long time.

Evelyn’s interview answers made me stop for pause, and I certainly hope both our male and female readers will appreciate their poignancy. Without further ado….

Could you introduce yourself for the few people who might not know you?

My name is Evelyn Hannon. I’m a 70 year old grandmother who has been travelling solo for 25 years. My passion is to inspire other women just starting out to travel safely and well and to connect female travellers around the world. I’ve acquired four permanent positions along the way:

1. Editor of Journeywoman.com, the largest online travel resource for women
2. Publisher/Editor of Journeywoman Online, a free monthly travel tip newsletter read by 71,000 women in a 100+ countries around the world.
3. Creator of HERmail.net an online directory of women worldwide willing to mentor other women coming to their part of the world
4. Consultant to Foreign Affairs Canada on ‘women+travel.’

Andy:  Those are some pretty cool jobs!

In the world of women and travel, it seems like there was Amelia Earhart and then there was Evelyn Hannon. What sparked your love and passion for travel?

In 1982 Fate tapped me on the shoulder. That’s the year I parted from my husband of 23 years. I was 42 years old at the time; the mom of two young adults on the verge of leaving the nest. Women generally didn’t travel on their own way back then. You needed a father or a husband ‘to take you.’ Since I had neither and since there were no books to teach me how to do it I had only myself to rely on. I took a deep breath, bought the cheapest plane ticket to Europe I could find, put on a backpack and went. My destination really didn’t matter because I cried most of that initial trip. However, I did meet so many good people along the way and I absolutely embraced the concept of ‘hitting the open road’ on every one of my 35 days away. I loved the challenge of coming into a new place and slowly finding out where the heart of that place lay. Painful or not, I was bitten by the travel bug in a big way. And, the rest is history. I’m now referred to as ‘the grandmother of womens travel’ and I absolutely love the title. And, it’s great to see all the young women who have now been inspired to write about women’s travel as well.

Andy:  It is strange how such wonderful things come from adversity.  We wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation if a toxic working environment hadn’t led me to the path I am on now.  So cheers to life, and all of the things it brings, both good and bad.

You have such a way with words. What would you say to someone who’s a bit afraid of travel, or who just can’t seem to find them time (or maybe the money) to get away?

To those women who are a bit afraid, I offer this encouragement. I understand completely how you feel. I’ve been there and done that. However, I urge you to take a deep breath and start slowly anyway. Maybe a weekend away, close to home all by yourself. Cry if you feel afraid. Wallow in self-pity if that’s what you need to do. The most important thing is to do it.

Gradually extend your time away from home. Enroll in a course across the country, then after that go somewhere where you don’t know the language. All are hard to do but all are confidence building and cathartic. Be patient with yourself. I promise you’ll wake up one day and say, ‘Look at me; I’m a real solo traveller.’ and before you know it you’ll be telling other women what I’m telling you now.

However, if it’s just time and money that seems to be stopping you, all I can say is, ‘If there is a true will to do it, I assure you there is a way. If you haven’t done it yet, ask yourself what you are hiding from and try to face those fears. It’s like riding a bike. Once you learn how to do it properly, you’ll love it and you’ll never forget how to do it.

Andy:  Amen.  Just do it.  The fears that you have in your head?  They’re over exaggerated.  The worst thing that can happen probably isn’t much of anything.

What’s been your most inspirational travel experience?

I’ve been on countless journeys but my most inspirational travel experience has got to be travelling to China with my daughter to receive her adopted Chinese daughter, Lotus. I will never forget the moment that the nanny from the Xi’An orphanage put that sweet little 13-month old baby into my daughter’s arms. That journey was certainly not without it’s problems but it was worth every minute of discomfort that we experienced. Lotus is now eight years old and working on her orange belt in karate. I expect she’ll be able to take care of herself when she begins to travel solo.

Anything fun or unique coming up on your travel adventures?

In 2008, I joined the Semester At Sea community and circumnavigated the globe along with 750 students and 50 professors aboard the MV Explorer. In 108 days we stopped in 14 cities and touched four continents. The experience was extraordinary. This December I’ve been invited aboard once again for a 20-day Enrichment Voyage. This time we’ll be exploring the history, culture, and arts of Central America and (be still my heart!) going through the Panama Canal on December 25th. I have a funny feeling Santa will make an appearance on one of the ship’s decks. Can you think of a better Christmas present?

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