Musings : Solo Travel

Solo Travel.

Tell someone that you're going overseas alone and they will have either of two reactions: (1) It's not safe! Go with someone else! (2) Wow! I wish I'm as brave / fortunate as you!

Solo travel is not for the faint hearted. It is not for those who constantly dreaming. But it is for anyone who wishes to discover a whole new side of themselves. Try it once and you may very well be hooked and want to try it again!

It involves meticulous planning, careful preparation and most importantly, a sense of adventure. Anything can go wrong while on a holiday, even more so when you're alone with no one to look after your back (or bag). You can't walk away to check out something and simply ask your friend to look after your bag for you. You can't go into a restaurant and order many dishes to be shared between you and your friends.

In fact, you'll learn to be all by yourself. To dine alone. Roam around the city alone. Visit places of interest alone. Yes, you will meet people along the way that you may converse with. And that is a joy of solo travel. It forces you to step out of your comfort zone and talk to strangers. It forces you to interact with the locals instead of merely with your friends that you usually do. It forces you to see the city in a different light as you walk the streets alone. You will battle loneliness, challenge your fears and conquer them as you take on new experiences in the city you are in.

Solo travel is a good opportunity to spend time with yourself. To discover your fears and your strengths. To carve out that independence that you deserve. To grow that courage to ask for help when you are lost. And in doing so, you'll discover a new you. A you that is brave, adventurous, independent and smarter. A you that is ready to tackle the world out there a little more.

I came across a little Taiwanese snack stall and started to chat a little with the girl Manning the counter. It only happens when I travel alone, that I actually talk to the people on the street and learn a little more about the city that I'm visiting. Not just talking to the locals, but even fellow tourists at times too. Especially this time round that I'm in China, I ended up walking over to help other tourists who are struggling to converse with the locals as neither can understand each other while I can understand both English and Mandarin!