Traveling Solo

It's only fair to share...0000

When it comes to traveling, I’d rather go by myself than have to wait for others. In many cases people say they want to come, but then weeks go by without them booking, or works comes up, schedules change, etc. So I’ve learned that if I really want to go, then I may have to go alone. And for me that’s okay. Some of the best trips I’ve gone on have been by myself. I’ve learned a lot about myself through traveling alone and always get to do what I want to do, when I want to do it.

Safety is always a concern when traveling, but I’ve learned that if you just use common sense you should be okay. So many people go overseas and do stupid things they would never do at home and wind up in trouble. Would you get drunk and stumble home late at night in a seedy area that you don’t know? Would you get wasted then pass out in the back of a taxi alone? Or take drinks from strangers? Then why do it in say Manila or Panama City? Usually when I hear a story of something going wrong it’s when people do not follow their instincts. Once when I was in Boracay, a popular island in the Philippines, I hung out with some fellow Americans and went to see a cock fight with them. I met them there, but on the way back they offered me a lift on the motorcycles they had rented. Something told me it wasn’t a good idea. One, I don’t know these guys and two, how can I trust their driving skills, particularly on these islands they are unfamiliar with? When I saw one of them the next day in a cast and on crutches I knew I had made the right decision. He crashed on the way back to town just minutes after offering me a ride.

Hiking the Samaria Gorge, Crete. Made friends along the way.

For me studying abroad was the first way I traveled overseas and it was perfect. From the very first day I met other students and had people to travel with. We had group trips incorporated into the program, which was great, but I also had many options of people to hang out with. I also had my host family to advise me on where not to go and what not to do. My host mother was very open about the different ways people would try to take advantage of me, so I was able to see it coming and avoid it. Even though I’m past my university days, I still think studying abroad is a great option. There are so many trips all over the world and for all ages and subjects. Last summer I traveled to Panama with my boyfriend and 6 year-old niece and we studied Spanish there for weeks. I was far from the oldest person and my niece was far from the youngest believe it or not.

If you simply want to relax and see the sites, group trips are similarly a great option. Companies like G Adventures have trips all over the world. They cater to different age groups, activity levels, and even comfort levels for hotels and meals. I traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with them and had a great time. I made friends with other people in the group, but also went off on my own when I felt like it. It was such a great balance. I was also the only American, so I had fun meeting different people and talking to them about their lives, adventures and where they were from.

While I’m a huge germaphobe, I actually found hostels to be a great opportunity to save money and meet travel companions. The cost of the stay is SO much lower than a hotel and while just using the common areas of the property you meet fellow travelers. I’ve had nights where I’ve stayed in and had a ball talking to everyone and times where I’ve gone out and seen the sites with people I just met. And oddly enough I never found it to be awkward, as people are often in the same position as you usually; solo.

Solo beach trip to Elafonissos, Crete.

Lastly, the thing I love most about traveling solo is the reading. I’m an avid reader, but struggle to find the time to read. But when traveling solo there is always a book to keep me company. Between, planes, buses, trains, meals and beach time, I read so much. While I love a good beach read, in many cases my reading while traveling leads to self-discovery. I have so much time to think and digest what I’m reading and really evaluate my life and where I am.

So while it can be scary, I urge people not to wait around for a travel companion. There will be plenty of people to meet along the way. And don’t allow people to scare you from giving it a try. If I had listened to people tell me how dangerous Manila was while I was considering moving there, I never would have gone and grown into the person I am now.