Lately the thought of traveling solo has been in my mind and I am raring to do it. I refer to traveling solo as going to a place where you don't know a single soul in your destination. Well, I have been through airports and airplanes alone when I go home and meet the family so it does not qualify in this criteria. Traveling solo, for me, would be liberating and would give you a different taste of freedom. Traveling solo will definitely widen my horizon and open new perspectives.
It is high time for me to try this because I think I need to be far from the comforts of the place where I am at right now. I need peace and quiet. I need some alone time to figure out my life and where I am headed. I need to regroup. I need to know what I keep on doing wrong and strive to make it all right. I need to find myself.
Sure I am brave enough to try this. I think the only thing that scares me would be the thought that I won't be alone in my hotel room, bogeymen and monsters might be there waiting to prey on me (I still believe they exist no matter how grown I've become). Seriously, going travelling on my own will let me literally leave everything behind – work, family and friends. This is what makes it scary and also what makes it so intensely liberating.
I have listed down travel tips for myself and I read them everyday hoping to ingrain it upon myself and make it second nature. I hope this helps other ladies and gents alike who are seriously contemplating on traveling solo in the near future.
1. Be familiar about the place you are going to. Buy a guidebook and read it in advance while you are waiting for the date you depart. I personally suggest to bring it with you and keep it in your bag and not proudly show it all off when you get to your destination. If you do, you'll surely dampen the spirits of your blending in with the locals. Remember: Criminals prey on people who are vulnerable and unfamiliar about the new place.
2. Make sure to book your flight and accommodation ahead of time for you to be able to take advantage of the best deals. Call your airline and hotel at least a day before to confirm everything. Request itineraries and have them send it to your email. Unless you go to some jungles, you will always have access to the internet wherever you go.
3. Pack light! This I am having a problem with. Try to pack way in advance and before you do check how many days you will be away and list down the necessary clothes and stuff you need to bring. Learn to mix and match clothes and bring only the footwear you will need. You don't need 10 shoes when you travel. Make sure to check the weather of the place you are going to so you don't bring clothes that you won't be needing.
4. Learn the language. Well, at least just the basics.
5. Do talk to strangers (but do this with utmost caution). You always have to trust your gut when doing anything when you travel alone.
6. Be click-happy. Don't forget to take your camera with you. It is an essential. You would want to remember memories of your travel. And sure if you bring your camera, you have to bring your charger.
7. Be liquid. Always make sure that you have the local currency in your wallet. If possible, have some amount ready before you leave the airport or better yet before your scheduled flight. Other than that, you may want to use your credit card for all the purchases you will make. Personally, I'd rather leave the plastic behind.
8. Do anything you want at your pace but make sure to do things right (just the legal ones). Read up extensively about the place you are visiting so you don't get in trouble with the local laws and regulations. You want your travel to be safe and enjoyable not locked in a cell. You may also want to keep a copy of the emergency numbers of the city you are in.
9. The OC in me will of course list down my itinerary. I can be spontaneous when I get to the place but at least when all things fail I have my list as my guide.
10. Bring a comfortable shoe you can walk in. There's nothing more frustrating than to stay in your hotel room to nurse some blisters.
I might have some more tips in the future and I might add a lot when I get back from my travel but please I just have to add this...if you are traveling to heal a broken heart avoid going to romantic destinations unless you are masochistic enough and you have the tendency to be a romance voyeur. At the end of the day, just be one with yourself and don't forget to have fun...Solo travel can be the ultimate in self-indulgence; you can rest when you want without thinking of your companion and pour it on when you're feeling ambitious. Another benefit is that your mistakes are your own, and your triumphs all the more exciting.
There’s a lot more I could write, but I’ve gone on long enough. What do you think? For people who have been solo travelling, do you agree or disagree with any of the above? If you can share more tips, go ahead leave a comment. :-)
