Asha had always dreamed of seeing the world. Growing up in a small village in India, she spent her childhood with her nose buried in books, dreaming of far-off places and cultures. Now, in her late twenties, she finally had the means and the courage to embark on her journey as a solo traveler.

Her first stop was Paris. The city of lights was everything she had imagined: the Eiffel Tower sparkled against the night sky, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants filled the air. However, as she walked through the streets, she noticed the stares. At a café, a waitress assumed she didn’t speak French and ignored her until Asha spoke up in fluent French, a language she had diligently learned. The look of surprise followed by a reluctant smile was her first brush with the subtle undercurrent of discrimination.

From Paris, she moved on to...