TRAVELING ALONE, THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT
About two years ago, I decided to fulfill my long-held dream: to go on a horse trek through Mongolia. Ha, you didn't expect that, did you? But it's true. I did it in July (the only month of the year when Mongolia is survivable for us weak Westerners in terms of temperature) and actually had another 2.5 months off (long live studying), so soon the plan was made to travel on after Mongolia and make a round-the-world trip. After 2 weeks on a horse alone through the mountains of Mongolia, I took public transport from Beijing to Hong Kong in 3 weeks, then 2.5 weeks through New Zealand, followed by a week building sandcastles on the Cook Islands and I ended in San Francisco. And, all alone. I want to immediately make the point that I believe everyone should have traveled alone at least once or been on vacation alone. And no, it's not scary, I'll explain how you do it.
1. Eating alone is not stupid
I heard the most, “didn't you think it was stupid to go out to eat alone?” The answer is no, it's not stupid and you just have to get over it. Bring a book, or a magazine, or something else you can hide behind, but you'll see that you won't read a word and will just be looking around to observe everything. Moreover, there's a good chance you'll strike up a conversation with someone, and maybe that will be your new best friend. This brings me to the next point.
2. Don't shut yourself off
I always booked a bed in a dorm (shared room) in all hostels because that's the fastest way to meet people. Maybe a dorm is just a step too far for some but then opt for a private room in a hostel because you really meet fun new people so quickly. Also in restaurants, don't endlessly look at your phone but look around you. Solo travelers always find each other immediately, and before you know it, you've formed a close friendship for three days with an Australian, a Japanese, and a Spaniard – until everyone's paths diverge again.
The awkward moment lasts a minute, the printed memory you have for the rest of your life.
3. Let others take photos
It's not embarrassing, it's not stupid, it's necessary. I stood on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and asked about 5 different passersby to take a photo until I was satisfied. You really have to not care because the awkward moment lasts a minute, the printed memory you have for the rest of your life.
4. Take selfies and use the self-timer
For situations without passersby, take a selfie or build a setup for your camera so you can take a photo using the self-timer. Don't think “pff that's too much trouble” because you'll regret it. What also works is to use reflective windows and regular mirrors.
5. Are you a woman? Be extra careful sometimes
That depends on the country you are traveling in, and I've never had problems, but in some countries, you need to be extra cautious as a woman traveling alone. A friend of mine once traveled alone through Pakistan and she greatly benefited from the fake wedding ring she wore, so that men at least think you're not alone.
6. Don't be afraid of loneliness
Are you bored? No idea what to do? Take a walk, go to the movies, book a tourist tour, there's always so much to do. In Mongolia, I experienced deep loneliness because I actually like being alone, but now I was alone without people. There are about 3 million people living in Mongolia, of which a million in the capital and the rest live scattered across a country four times the size of France. Do you feel it? The first few days were terrible, but at some point you get it. Write in your travel journal (see next point), listen to music, fantasize about a life as a movie star, and don't let your own mind drive you crazy. If you're really lonely, Skype home, go to an expensive store and buy something nice (always works), or travel on to another city.
7. Keep a travel journal
Can be online or handwritten, but do this anyway. Because if you experience loneliness, or are unhappy in another way, it helps to write it off, and when you read it back a week later, you think “oh yeah, that was then, and look how happy I am now!” Reading back is relativizing, and moreover, you experience all the adventures alone, so there's no one who can remember them for you.
And that might be one of the biggest arguments for traveling alone: they are your memories, your sadness, and your joy. I find it a powerful feeling that there are over two months of my life that no one here knows how they were, apart from the stories I tell them. You encounter yourself anyway, it's a life lesson regardless, and you come back as a richer and more developed person. So I would say, bon voyage!
