How to travel on your own
About two years ago I decided to fulfil a long cherished dream: riding a horse trail through Mongolia. Haaa you didn’t see that coming now did you? But that was my wish. I went in July (the only month us weak Westerners can survive temperature wise) and had taken 2,5 months free (long live student life) so quickly made plans to travel through Mongolia and around the world. After 2 weeks of horse trekking alone through the mountains of Mongolia, I spent 3 weeks in public transport travelling from Beijing to Hong Kong, then 2,5 weeks travelling through New Zealand, then a week building sand castles on the Cook Islands and I closed my trip with San Francisco. And I did it all alone. I want to make a point here, I believe that everyone should experience travelling alone or at least being on holiday alone. No it is not scary, let me tell you how to do it.
1. Nothing wrong with dining solo
The question I hear most often is “didn’t you find it sad to dine alone?” The answer is no, it is not sad nor stupid and you just have to get over this. Take a book with you or a magazine, or something else you can easily hide behind, but you’ll soon see that you won’t end up reading a single letter and will instead watch and observe everything around you. Plus you’ll stand the chance of starting a conversation with someone and they may turn out to be your best friend. Brings me to my next point.
2. Don’t shut yourself off
I almost always booked a bed in a hostel dorm, because it’s the fastest way to come into contact with other people. Some of you may find a dorm one step too far, but you could choose a private room in a hostel and still meet some really nice people. And when you’re in a restaurant, don’t spend all your time looking at your phone, rather look around you. Solo-travellers always recognise each other and before you know it, you’re friends with an Australian, Japanese and Spanish traveller – until everyone parts to go their own way.
The uncomfortable moment lasts only a minute, but the printed memories last a lifetime.
3. Let others take photos of you
It’s not embarrassing, nor stupid. It’s essential. I found myself standing on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran and asked 5 different passers by to take a photo, until I had one that I was satisfied with. Don’t let it bother you because the uncomfortable moment lasts only a minute, but the printed memories last a lifetime.
4. Take Selfies and use the self-timer
For situations without passers-by, take a selfie or set your camera up so you can use the self-timer and take a photo. Don’t fool yourself into thinking “pff too much effort” because you will regret it later. Use whatever works, reflective windows or regular mirrors, anything.
5. A woman traveller? Be extra cautious.
This depends on what country you’re travelling in and I have never had any problems, but a little extra caution can be handy in some countries if you are a woman alone. A girlfriend of mine once travelled through Pakistan and benefitted greatly from the fake-wedding band, because men assumed that she was with someone.
6. Don’t be afraid of being lonely.
Bored? Not sure what to do? Take a walk, go to the movies, book a tour, there is always so much to do. I experienced extreme loneliness in Mongolia, because although I like being alone, this was alone without any other people. Mongolia has a population of around 3 million, and 1 million of those live in the capital, the rest are spread out over a country 4 x bigger than France. Do you get my drift? The first few days were awful but then I got into it. Write in your travel journal (my next point), listen to music, fantasise about living like a film star and don’t let your own mind drive you crazy. If you really are lonely, Skype home, go to an expensive store and buy something nice (always works) or travel to another city.
7. Keep a travel journal.
Online or handwritten, doesn’t matter as long as you do it. Because writing everything down helps when you feel lonely, and then a week later when you read it back you think ” oh yes, that was then and look how happy I am now!” Reading your words back later helps to see things in perspective and on top of everything you’re having adventures by yourself so there is no-one to help you remember things.
That is probably the biggest argument for travelling solo: they are your memories, your sadness and your pleasure. I found it a powerful feeling and those two months are mine alone to tell and nobody here knows what it was like except me. You get to face yourself and return a richer and more evolved person. So I say Bon Voyage!
