Travelling "Solo"

Become friends with people who aren't your age.

Hang out with people whose first language isn't the same as yours.

Get to know someone who doesn't come from your social class.

This is how you see the world. This is how you grow.

This quote has stayed with me ever since I read it. It literally describes my journey and adventures so perfectly. It was the Spring Festival (Jan/Feb) in China 2016 and I was embarking on my six and half week trip around South East Asia. I'd been living in Shanghai, China for about five months already so technically my solo venture had already began. But it wasn't until this trip that I really felt the exhilarating sensation of touring the world completely ALONE... but not really alone. Originally I was travelling with a friend; but we quickly learned we were different people and had different interests. So, I was faced with a challenge. I was now going to continue my journey from Bangkok-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia and eventually back to Shanghai... "alone". Within arrival to Laos, after checking into a hostel that hadn't been pre-booked, I made friends instantly with some others sharing the dorm. From that moment onwards was the real sensational feeling of travelling solo... but never actually solo. 

Wat Pho, Bangkok

I had the most amazing few days in Laos. It's so difficult to describe to you in words the feeling of entering a new country or city, that you have never been to, with the sole purpose of exploring, experiencing and enduring it. You have your backpack of minimal stuff like some clothes, and a few other bits and bobs, and then there is just you. You and a beautiful place for you to discover. I always feel so blessed to have the ability and comfortability to travel the world. For this reason, I seize every opportunity. 

Mount Phousi, Luang Prabang, Laos

Unknown location we discovered, Luang Prabang

A week later, I flew to Vietnam. I remember the day/night before I was going to be leaving from Luang Prabang to fly into Hanoi. I met a guy from Columbia. He was just 17 years old, from America but had been travelling Thailand and was now in Laos. I remember sharing stories with him. Someone I would probably never meet, and chat with like I did in Laos, in my day to day life here now in Birmingham. He, like I, had so many exciting stories and travel adventures to share. We ended up walking through almost the whole of Luang Prabang that night and then hanging out and exploring the next day; before I went off to the airport. 

That moment when you say goodbye, and you don't share any social media or contact with eachother; you just hold onto the moments you have shared and wander if you may meet again on the road. It's such an exhilarating feeling which links back to the quote I inserted at the beginning of this blog. Travelling, especially SOLO, gives you the chance to meet so many people from every diversity in age, culture, experience, religion, ethnicity, background... everyone has a different story to share, it's so amazing to meet people and we give and take something from every person we meet. Especially those like-minded people who are also around travelling "on their own". 

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam - best fish ever

So, I guess the point I'm trying to make is. Take the leap. Take the risk. Challenge yourself. Do things you don't feel comfortable with. Be a bit daring. Be different. Be independent. Be you. This is genuinely what makes you grow as a person. To be honest, this is all stuff I am still constantly learning on my life journey. I am constantly, in life, faced with different goals to achieve, challenges to face and fears to overcome. Thats what makes life so exciting and thrilling to live in. I have never felt more alive, than when I have been travelling, living abroad, out of my comfort zone, talking to strangers, letting strangers become friends, climbing a mountain, going on off the beaten hikes, and so much more. But you don't just need to go abroad to have this feeling. For me, once I took that leap to go "solo" it has resonated with me ever since. I am a different person. I have a different outlook. I can quite easily book a train or flight to somewhere and travel there "on my own". I don't feel any shame or fear in this. The world has literally become my home, and i'm itching to see it all. 

My next SOLO trip is to Nice, France this December. I'm so excited, not just to explore the beauty of Nice... but also just to be alone. Because, as a final point I also want to emphasise that you won't necessarily always meet someone straight away, or atleast not someone you completely click with. But this doesn't matter. You learn to appreciate and love your own company. You learn that even if physically you are not with somebody; really you are not alone. For me anyway, I learned that God is always with me... and so I feel safe. 

Ultimately, we spend our lives so busy, people often around us, not a moment to ourselves, stresses to deal with and the like... what is stopping you from booking a train, flight, bus or stepping out the door... and travelling somewhere "SOLO"? Take the risk, whatever happens you will definitely grow as a person. Just stay safe, weary and go with your gut feeling. Thats my biggest advice! 

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam