Don’t wait, travel solo.
That’s what I tell people pretty often. If I had waited for someone to want to go some of the places I wanted to go, I’d have died on the couch waiting and seen nothing. Nothing.
Sure, it takes a little more planning, a little step out of your comfort zone, and a little common sense. But, it is possible.
1. Is it safe to travel solo?
Yup. Of the 50 countries I’ve visited so far, I have traveled solo in 20 of them. Even as a girl? Yup. It doesn’t matter which set of genitalia you were blessed with, you can travel solo.
The one thing I’ve found traveling is that a large majority of bad experiences stem from being black out drunk. Now, I’m not saying don’t have a drink. What I’m saying is; have a little self control. I’ve drank plenty abroad, you just have to smart about it.
If bad people are looking to do something to you, they look for easy targets. Generally if some guy wants to get all rapey on a girl, he’s going to target you if you’re three sheets to the wind. I’m assuming if we swap the genders, women target men the same way.
Hell, I stayed at a friend’s house after a concert last week, and her boyfriend and his friend came back with us. The friend thought it was an open invitation for sex just because I’d drank a few glasses of wine and went to bed in these me building as him. I woke up to him opening the closed door and jumping into the bed I was sleeping in, and planning to sleep in ALONE. Clearly I wasn’t that drunk. GTFO MOTHERFUCKER. That was a straight up bed intruder if I’ve ever heard of one. My point here is: This happened at home and with other people around. Some assholes will try to get all rapey, just because you have a vagina and you’re drinking.
*I’m not trying to stereotype, not all guys are rapey. Just some. Hide yo kids, hide yo wife….
If someone is going to try and mug you, it’s easier to target a drunk ass. This rule, or whatever you wanna call it could applied to traveling with others as well. But remember you are a little more vulnerable looking if you’re wandering the streets alone.
Which leads straight into, be aware of your surroundings at all times. You probably do it at home. If you aren’t somewhere familiar, pretend you are. Don’t look lost.
2. No compromise
That’s right. You want a breakfast beer? Have that breakfast beer. No one is around to tell you no.
If you wanna wander the temples at Angkor Wat for a month, meanwhile your friends would rather spend that month firmly planted on a beach. This should be grounds to go alone right there. No two people have the identical interests.
You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Eat what you want, sleep when you want. It’s great.
But if you must wait for a travel buddy, just know: you may die waiting and never see a thing. If you have the means and can go now: GO!
3. Don’t you get lonely?
No! Generally most destinations will have other human beings milling around them, whether they be travelers alike or locals.
I’ve met so many people while solo traveling. Couchsurfing, hostels, out at a restaurant, on a tour, waiting in line to get on a cruise that you thought was a car ferry…. There are endless possibilities to meet people.
I’ve even met people while traveling solo and with a friend and traveled with them for a few days.
Point is: even if you are alone. You’re not really alone. Which just pushes my reasoning to don’t wait, travel solo.
4. It won’t end your friendship
It doesn’t matter who you travel with whether it’s a best friend, girlfriend/boyfriend/husband, relative… Chances are if you travel together for a length of time, you will get on each other’s nerves.
I mean, me and Tay are the two best friends in the world, but after a month backpacking Asia together there were things we did that annoyed the other.
*we are still best friends.
5. Sometimes you just need alone time.
Especially after a major life changing event.
I think the best thing I could have done the day after my Grandma’s funeral was run screaming to Socotra.
Sometimes you need to run out there into the world. Think about some important shit. And sort out what’s really important in life.
Have you traveled solo? Where to? Why did you say to yourself, don’t wait, travel solo?
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2 thoughts on “Don’t wait, travel solo”
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Great Post!
So many people always say they would never ‘travel alone’ but I think that it’s the best way to meet people. I have travelled with people I’ve met on the road, either for a couple of days and some for a couple of months. I travel solo, but also with other travellers when it suits. You’re never alone as a solo travellers (unless you choose to be) because there are loads of people doing the same thing, and it’s great to be selfish and do exactly what you want, when you want. It’s one thing the thought of is way more scary than the doing!
Thanks Gemma!
Solo travel isn’t scary, I love it! and it does make me appreciate when someone does travel with me.