Solo traveling

 

Solo traveling is inspirational and entertaining they say. I had to think about it hard. Imagine it with the lonely situation. You are at your own schedule and you choose to do as you like. The energy and endurance is all you. Sounds fun doesn’t it?  When you first do it it feels strange and you ask yourself if you did it right or you ask what the hell am I doing? 

Imagine going to the beach alone and walking on the silky white  sand, having your headphones on to your favorite music. There is nothing that can beat that. This is exactly what got me hooked on traveling alone. 

Since then I have traveled to different cities, states, countries and continents. Little you know that every one is doing it. Now just think of the opportunities. I have met so many solo travelers that has so many Interesting Stories. Like Larry who was hiking the Appalachian Trail alone just because his buddies said that he couldn’t do it, or Maria who had a knee injury and wanted to feel better after her surgery. 

Whether you are challenging yourself or loosing the fear of doing it alone is all worth it at the end. I was on the Skywalk in Arizona where you walk on a glass bottom bridge at a height of some 2000 feet high. I am scared of heights and I was walking on the side railing without looking down.  I am looking at other people walking on it like in any other place. Just looking at them  gave me the courage to do it and I did. I no longer have fear of heights. 

Since then I have done one of the dangerous hikes in America. The Angels Landing in Zion National Park in Utah  as a solo Traveller. I was scared as hell. When I finished it I felt like I have climbed Mount Everest. 

 You are waiting for your flight and at the gate and meet people who are just like you traveling alone. Like Ben whom I met in the train from Machu Picchu village to Cusco. I saw the bite marks and asked him what happened? His story was that while camping on the mountain how he got bit by mosquitoes and that his whole body was covered with bite marks just because he forgot his insect repellent. As he was saying this stories there are many others got listening to him including the Peruvians. This almost became a party. Solo traveling

The benefits to to Solo Traveling  is immense 

1. It is your schedule and you make the decisions

2.You learn about your strengths and weaknesses.

3. It is your challenge and it becomes a quest to do more.

4. You learn to communicate with people that don’t speak your language and you come out of your comfort zone.

5. You become more out going and friendly. You are not shy.

6. You learn patience and tolerance. You cope better in difficult circumstances.

7. You learn to push yourself to limits that you never thought possible. 

8. Making life long friends and may be the love of your life. 

9. You become compassionate and humble. You see life in true form. 

10. You acquire so much knowledge as you are dealing with circumstances  one on one. 

11. You become an expert on planning and budgeting. 

The disadvantages of solo traveling 

1. It could become lonely at times as you have no one to talk to.

2. Taking photos becomes a challenge and you have to depend on a selfie stick or other people. Getting other people to take photos can be an advantage as it becomes an opportunity for a good conversation. 

3. No one to share your immediate thoughts about what you see and do. 

4. You can get disoriented and no one to help you.

5. Certain times it can become scary. Particularly when hiking in the wilderness with wildlife. Camping at night alone could become creepy. In Rome I decided to go for a walk after dinner. There were not many people on the street at that time. I was afraid when I saw other lonely people on the street and I would cross on to the other side of the street.

These are pros and cons. With this said you become more focused and proactive in your day to day life. Life lessons learned alone are worth all that effort.

Just the information and stories from people,  will inspire you and forever. If hiking alone in a forest with bears is not your thing yet, consider visiting a city alone. Get to know the beautiful places in the city. Getting to know the parks, the restaurants, the farmers market and what else that city has to offer. Every trip this way gets you excited for the next one. You become an interesting person among your friends, relatives and colleagues. Your conversations are not boring anymore. What do you know soon you are a solo Traveller!

Self Motivation