Marilyn Murphy grew up in Saginaw Michigan and dreamed of flying. She watched planes cross the sky and wondered where they were headed. After college she faced limited job prospects and few clear options. A friend invited her to travel through Southeast Asia and India. Marilyn bought a one way ticket to Manila and left.
Marilyn Murphy Learns to Travel Alone
When her plans changed in Singapore, she faced a choice. She could return home or continue alone. She chose to keep going. Solo travel felt challenging but not hard. She discovered freedom in moving at her own pace. She made friends in guesthouses, on buses, and in cafés. Eight months later she returned home transformed.
Building Confidence Through Challenge
Marilyn explains the difference between hard and challenging. Hard feels negative and limiting. Challenge creates growth. Travel pushed her beyond comfort and built self trust. She learned to make decisions daily and rely on intuition. That growth shaped her career and future path.
Marilyn Murphy on Slow Travel and Energy
Marilyn advocates for slow travel whenever possible. Moving constantly drains time and energy. Transit days replace meaningful experiences. She encourages travelers to sit in cafés and wander side streets. Quality matters more than quantity. Memorable travel comes from connection, not monuments alone.
Safety, Intuition, and Smart Decisions
As a young woman traveling alone, Marilyn stayed observant. She trusted her instincts and used practical precautions. She carried important documents securely and paid attention to surroundings. She shares a vivid story from Penang where she chased a purse snatcher. She recovered her bag and later testified in court.
Marilyn Murphy Returns to Srinagar
Decades later she returned to Kashmir. She once stayed with a local family on a houseboat in Srinagar. On her recent visit she reconnected with the family’s relatives. She now stays in touch and supports one young man’s livelihood. Travel created a lifelong circle of connection and generosity.
Encouraging Women to Take the Risk
Marilyn urges young women to act before life narrows options. Mortgages and careers limit flexibility. Early travel builds courage for a lifetime. She encourages people to spend on experiences now. The future offers no guarantees. Travel expands perspective and reveals shared humanity.
Why India Holds Her Heart
India remains her favorite destination. She traveled from the south to Kashmir over two months. Despite warnings and stigma, she found warmth and depth. The country challenged her perceptions and expanded her worldview. It remains central to her story and memoir.
Marilyn now shares her journey through speaking and writing. Her mission is simple. Inspire people to explore the world and themselves.
More From Marilyn Murphy
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