The rewards of solo travel
I smiled when I read Tash's third post in her list of 1000 things that make her happy because, well, solo travel is one of my favorite things ever. Especially abroad. Since joining Bear, I've also enjoyed living vicariously through Kayla's narrations of her travels.
I'm especially excited to write this post because I am on the verge of planning my next solo trip. Besides the actual trip itself, I think the earliest stage of planning is the most fun. Though I have a few destinations in mind, I'm not sure where I'll be going. But I do know that it's been almost a year since I've had a longer, proper vacation (I don't take a winter holiday) and I'm just itching to go somewhere for a couple weeks.
I was 20 when I went on my first solo trip. I went to Minneapolis to meet an Internet friend. We had a lot of fun. I didn't stay with them, so I had a lot of free time to explore what I think is still an underrated city. And of course, I got a taste of solo travel. Since then I have visited several American cities, Germany (twice), and the Caucasus by myself, experiences that got me hooked on traveling alone.
The biggest advantage of solo travel is being able to do whatever you want, whenever and wherever you want. You can do that long hike without worrying about a travel partner wanting to bail halfway through it. You can go read a book in a cafƩ and people-watch instead of feeling the pressure to go sightseeing with an overly ambitious travel partner or group. You can stay in for the night and get the next day started at the crack of dawn, or you can stay out until 4 AM partying like there is no tomorrow. You can visit that niche museum that matters only to you without feeling like your companion is counting down the minutes until you guys leave. And who knows, maybe you would not have even reached your destination in the first place if you had not chosen to go solo.
It is also a fantastic way to meet new people, regardless if the connections are brief, lifelong, or something in between. Although other factors certainly contribute, being with just one other person often makes you seem much less approachable even if you are actually open to meeting new people.
On the other hand, many travel solo to do just that: travel solo. You can unplug from social interactions almost entirely if you want. You can stay in private accommodations and limit your conversations to only the absolutely necessary. As a total introvert, I often fall into this camp. I feel like I know myself better than ever before whenever I return from a solo trip, and I attribute this to long periods of healthy solitude.
I relish the opportunities for introspection that solo travel presents. Of course I can do this in my own city, but it's different in a foreign place. I can take a break from work to fully immerse myself in my surroundings; everything is new and romantic and exciting, brimming with possibilities. I love navigating a new country by train or bus stuffed with locals. What might seem like an average journey becomes a magical adventure. I appreciate the little things that would have otherwise gone unnoticed had I been with a friend or a group. Even if they're not necessarily unique to that place, just the way the light shines through the trees at a local park or riding public transport and absorbing the hubbub of locals commuting to or from work.
Solo travel has also boosted my confidence. Planning intricate details of a trip, especially to a destination far from your home, demands self-trust, openness, and responsibility. You have to leave your comfort zone. Willingly putting yourself in a new situation takes some guts, especially as a solo female traveler. I absolutely believe that more people than not have good intentions, but I expect the worst.
It's risky sometimes. While I thankfully do not look rich, lost, or open to conversations with strange men, I've nevertheless accumulated a number of undesirable experiences over the past few years. Last year I found myself in the scariest situation yet when I let my guard down and got into a vehicle with a stranger who thankfully let me go after a short "excursion" without much protest despite his questionable intentions. Thankfully, I got lucky and learned my lesson.
Another downside is, well, you might get lonely. This doesn't happen to me very often on a solo trip. Maybe it's because I was raised as an only child and am introverted. Maybe it's because I simply get caught up in the novelty surrounding me. But others might feel that a certain experience would be better if shared with a partner, friend, or family member. That's understandable and normal. I simply prefer flexibility: I lean more toward the solo aspect of it all, but I know how to find connections if I really want them, like by staying at a hostel or guesthouse. Even joining a walking tour or a local class can help satisfy cravings for social interaction.
All in all, I think the rewards outweigh the potential risks of solo travel. Don't get me wrong, traveling with others is also fun ā it's just different. I cannot wait for my next solo trip, wherever it may be.