I’ve been glued to the awful story coming from Australia this week that has shocked the travelling world. The tragic news of British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung, who was stabbed to death whilst sharing a dorm room in a backpackers hostel in Queensland. Even after reading the reports of what happened that fated night, I’m still struggling to get my head round it all.
I’ve always been keen to push the message that when travelling you need to use your common sense and not get swept up that you’re in ‘holiday mode’ but how could Mia have ever even comprehended that such a savage and brutal attack would happen to her, in a place that she (and many other travellers) felt safe?
My heart aches looking at the smiling, beautiful face of Mia in the photos shared by the media. Here is a young woman, just 21, out in the world and living her dream. She had the strength and bravery to go it alone to one of the most stunning places in the world, a place many backpackers head (myself included)with their heads full of excitement not fear.
Mia’s mum has issued a statement saying that her daughter ‘wouldn’t want any hostilities. That she saw beyond race, creed and belief.’ Such a brave woman herself, to remind us that the actions of a small minority should not affect the majority of people hoping to see the world for themselves.
I feel numb thinking about Mia’s last moments, the other backpackers staying at this hostel caught up in such a terrifying situation and the waves of panic this has spread to potential future backpackers now doubting their decision to experience wanderlust. I can’t get my head around why this has happened, I have no idea how her family and friends must be coping with the fact that their daughter isn’t coming home.
Backpackers hostels are known for being fun and laid-back places to hang out and meet other similar minded travellers. All of you sharing a room, and the same mindset, that you’re here in this incredible part of the world to explore, learn and enjoy the experience. Not to sleep with one eye open that your room mate would ever do a thing to harm you, let alone brutally murder you.
Of course, travel is about trusting strangers. You need to let your guard down a little, telling yourself that there are good and decent people that you can trust in this world, if you didn’t then you’d never leave your house to go anywhere.
In the backpacker hostels that I’ve stayed during all of my travels there has always been this unspoken rule that you respect each other, and each others personal belongings, whilst sharing the same four walls. The view of ‘do to others what you want others to do to you’ is a sort of mantra that allows people from many different nationalities to get on and enjoy the time spent together.
But the fact is that when you travel you are sharing this experience with strangers. Even when you don’t really know who is lying in a bed in the same room as you, you have to believe and hope that they are just like you. The experience of staying in hostels, hanging out with other backpackers and treading the well-trodden travellers route, is usually where you make friends for life.
We can’t let fear rule us. Atrocities like this are extremely rare and we must try hard to believe that most people, all across the globe, are peace-loving and good souls. I just pray that justice is achieved and that those with adventurous spirits are not deterred to live their lives the way they want.
Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // Bloglovin’
