My journey as a traveler is so far limited to 24 countries but most of it is taken as a solo traveler. I was never a sports/outdoor-enthusiastic since childhood nor had the money to travel at the early years. Even while I was in USA, I seldom traveled alone or in a regular basis during the first 9 years (2003-2012).
So what happened in 2012 that in the next 5 years, I covered 30+ national parks in USA, 14 countries in Europe (including 250+ km treks in Alps), covered 1000+ km treks in Himalayas, 4 countries in south-east Asia (multiple treks in Indonesia volcanoes) and extensively covered India's remote corners.
After it did not materialize with friends, I made a solo trip to Death Valley in 2012. I did some solo treks in the Golden canyon, drove some mountain miles in an alien land, walked on the salt desert below sea level looking at 10000+ ft peaks, danced a bit in its sand dunes, dared to look down its craters and watched sunrise at Mt Whitney nearby. It opened the first door for me to start the connection with the amazing mother nature.
Where it all started!
The second trigger (and a life changing one) was trekking in Himalayas on June 2015. The ethereal beauty helped me witness nature in purest form. And there is no turning back.......
My second trigger and a life-changing one!
Trust me I am not against the fun filled trips with a tight group of friends. I have made lots of memories in my life in those trips but focus was different. So why the solo-traveling experience is a different one ? What is the fun in looking at an amazing scenery and not being able to share it? How come the shared load of planning and execution is not a good thing!
Allow me to explain my reasons in seven points....I promise the post will not be as long as my earlier posts :-)
Freedom
No doubt there is different sense of freedom. If one day I do not want to go anywhere and just sleep in my hostel room, I do not need to convince anyone. If one day I am in the mood of walking 35 km, no permission needed. No dependence on others preferences, habits, health or mood. Also best spontaneous traveling experience comes in solo traveling.
Observation
I observe and focus more on the places and the landscapes. Even though there is no second pair of eyes to experience, but I tend to absorb more and remember more details while traveling alone. In groups, the internal talks distract me to take in more.
No pressure of planning
May be it is my own fault. But when I travel with others, I take extra load of planning and hence, I feel bad when plans fail due to unknown circumstances. That extra stress blocks my capacity to fully enjoy the trip. Over the years, I stopped the must-visit agenda in my own travels but it still comes back while travelling with others.
Different capacity of travel
After years of travel, I am mentally prepared to walk long distances to experience more, wake up early to see sunrise, wait for hours to watch the sunset and prioritize experience over comfort. It gets very difficult when someone else does not meet that. However, sometimes I do find travel mates of similar requirements and better fitness :-)
Social Interaction
It is always important for me how a country or a city deals with a stranger. The impact becomes different when I am with a group. Also, it is sometimes easier to make friends and know about others' culture while travelling alone. I think we value social interaction more when alone.
My ambivert nature
Once, I was an introvert who can spend days without talking. I am also an extrovert who talks nonstop while meeting an old friend or strangers with similar interests. But sometimes I demand private space and pin-drop silence. A travel companion may not adjust easily with my shifting mood.
Nature Connection
This is main reason I believe. I find an eerie connection to mother nature while I walk alone through the meadows, mountain valleys; sit next to the lakes and oceans. I can not explain it. This bond grows stronger and stronger as I travel to more remote areas.
When hours pass without seeing anyone, it does not worry me rather I go into some kind of trance as if I am in the presence of a true friend...The mountains become alive, the crystal clear lakes become friends, the clouds start games with mountain peaks making me the judge.......
When hours pass without seeing anyone, it does not worry me rather I go into some kind of trance as if I am in the presence of a true friend...The mountains become alive, the crystal clear lakes become friends, the clouds start games with mountain peaks making me the judge.......
However please note when I really enjoy company
- In my regular life outside travel. Friends are family for me.
- In cities where nothing else is there to do. Friends can make boring places come alive.
- Taking my photos in beautiful settings (solo travel has its curse...nobody to take your photos)
- While camping in mountains (whom to complain about the extreme cold)
- During travels with a like-minded person
I can not take such photos in Solo travels!! Only a Fellow trekker can :-)
PS: for people, who never experienced solo travelling, you should do it even in a small scale. You will feel a different sort of independence.
