I am back home after 10 deeply meaningful days in Japan touring the country with an interpreter and meeting fascinating women who reminded me that there is SO much to see and learn in this world.
Even though most of the women I met and who will be a part of our 2026 itinerary, didn't speak English and my Japanese is lacking, we still had moving exchanges.
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A smile, a sparkle in your eye, a gentle bow (or several), a thoughtful gift, which I received and gave to every single one of the 10 women I met, transcend language barriers.
How beautiful it was to be reminded that kindness is a globally understood sign and that you receive the energy that you give to the universe.
Our Japan tour for 2026 will be a special gift I can't wait to share with you. Join the waitlist if you want to be notified when it goes live before we announce it to the general public.
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On to this week's travel tip!
π» A couple of weeks ago, there was yet another fascinating discussion about squat toilets.
As always, some members think they are the best, some think they are the worst and the majority just doesn't know what to do with them π , how to use them, how to avoid getting pee all over your trousers and shoes or how to hold yourself...
Theories and tips were many, but one stood up for those who 1) Don't know how / are not able to squat because of physical limitations or 2) Don't want to.
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This week's travel tip is about the devices you can use to pee standing, whether in a squat toilet or in the woods. Yes, we are talking about taking a wee like men do..
The good news is that there are many devices out there designed precisely for women to be able to pee without having to sit or squat.
The bad news is that there are MANY devices out there designed for this.
The device that gets mentioned the most is the Shewee. This was also the first one to launch in 1999 by a woman and remains UK-based and produced.
It is smaller than others (which is both a good and a bad thing, since many mention this means it is harder to use although easier to pack), and comes with a plastic case instead of a pouch.
All the devices are all similar in that they provide a funnel you place on your body to channel the fluid out and towards the floor.
Which one you pick depends very much on the person.
Why and when would you need to pee standing?
Can't think of a situation where you would need to pee standing?
Here are a few:
Camping trips where there are no bathrooms available
Road trips where the rest stops have gross or unavailable bathrooms
Places where squat toilets are the norm and you aren't familiar with them or cannot squat because of any physical limitations
Places where toilets are gross and you would rather pee in the bush, or at least make sure you don't have to touch anything
Safaris, where you are just too far from a ranger station
At festivals, when the queue for the toilets is long or they are just gross or far
Women in the military that don't have access to proper toilets made for women
Things to bear in mind when choosing or using
From the Shewee website
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Most devices come with their own cases / bags to carry them in but they could open / unzip so it may be a good idea to place the case in a ziplock bag
Smell is an issue if you aren't able to properly wash the device and the case regularly with water and soap
The larger the device, the less practical they are to carry but the easier they are to use and aim. Smaller ones have concerns of overflowing with wee pressure
Most of them offer extension tubes you can place at the end of the device so that you can aim further and avoid having your shoes within the splash area.
Practising in the shower before that first trip is a must, almost everyone highlights how hard it is to find the best way to make it work for you
Other options
There are many available alternatives to the Shewee, some even rated higher, some are better for some women or some situations.
Have a look to find the one that is best for you:
βFoldable funnels that colapse and are flat to carry (like a collapsible water bottle or cup for camping). This is an Amazon's best seller.
βSingle use disposable funnels that are made of paper and can be thrown away. They solve the issue of washing and the complain about smell that almost all have.
βSunany soft funnel: This is larger than Shewee and made of soft silicone-like material, so you can squash it. Because it is larger, it solves the issue Shewee has that it is too small and cannot hold a large flow so you have to control how fast you pee. Larger also means larger to carry, but many prefer it. This is an Amazon's overall pick.
Have you used any of the above and have a recommendation?
Hit reply and let me know!
Updates from our tours
See the Auroras in Iceland, 2025 is the best year yet to spot them!
Below is the list of 2025 tours that still have some spots available, though some have only 1 or 2.
π = I will be on this tour; π· = A professional photographer accompanies this trip to take photos for you to share and keep
=> Did you know we can organize a trip for you and your friends or your family to any of the destinations above (mixed gender)? Reach out to discuss your needs.
See all the previous 106 newsletter travel tips here and don't forget to forward this email to a friend who may find it useful.
Have a wonderful weekend and talk to you next week !
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SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS CO-FOUNDERS
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Solo Female Travelersβ C/ Europa 18 5-2, Sitges, 08870
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