How brave of you! You often hear if you are going to make a long journey alone, especially as a woman. “Brave? How brave?” I think then. I only had the idea that I was going to do something really cool when I put traveling alone on my to do list.
I had no intention of going lion hunting or paragliding from Mount Everest. No, just to see a country unknown to me. So I have done that often, and with great pleasure. And I would recommend it to anyone who has even been stung by a tiny travel mosquito.
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As a traveler alone, you decide for yourself where you want to go, you don't have to consult with anyone. Even if you have been there before or it rains every day. If you want to go, you go! Even when you are there you have all the freedom in the world. You do all the silly or not so silly things that set your mind to, simply because anything is allowed. It's your birthday sort of every day.
You are relieved of the duty to be social while traveling alone. Sometimes I didn't speak to anyone for days, except to say what flavor my ice cream should be. That was really delicious. That ice cream too.
And if you do want to make contact, that is made faster as a single traveler. You are easily accessible to people. If you travel as a couple or in a group, it is rightly assumed that the attention goes to the fellow travelers. I've had very nice conversations with Buddhist monks and Italian homeless people, just because it's possible and because it's fun.
You are confronted with yourself in a pleasant way. You are completely out of your daily life. There is no rut. You look for creative solutions to language problems, arrange transport, and make sure you eat well. Each challenge overcome is a gain for yourself. That is as mindful as anything, you live optimally in the here and now. You grow spiritually from that. Have you read eat pray love yet? Maybe that's going too far, but you know what I mean. You will come home richer than when you left if you travel alone.
It's never really been scary. I have experienced bad things, for example in India I was just grabbed by the breasts on the street. But then I didn't even travel alone. So well… that's not where the added value of company is. Of course, use common sense and be informed about local customs and stick to them. Dress as appropriate in that environment. Don't provoke. In India I always wear a fake wedding ring.
It can also be a good idea to book a group tour. Not to run all day after a man with a flag with a herd of zip-off pants. No, because you will be taken from city to city without any problems and beautiful hotel rooms have been arranged for you. So if something happens, you have a lot to fall back on. And otherwise you just go your own way.
There are also trips especially for singles, no, these are not disguised marriage agencies. People travel alone, but sometimes feel like doing something fun together.
The disadvantage is that you sometimes pay considerably more than if you travel together. And very occasionally your room is pretty lousy. But usually you have a double room all to yourself. You can choose which bed you sleep in.
You know what I just find really stupid? Eating alone is so boring! Usually I combine lunch and dinner just to get it done. But hey, what if that's the worst? Oh, yes.. and you also catch the cockroaches yourself.. hmm.. or you call room service.
Well, am I crossing the threshold or what? Just try it once.
