Traveling alone

I am a lone traveler.

When I'm away on my travels, I never get quizzical looks from locals or other travelers on why I am on my own.

When I'm at home, it's quite a different story.

"Why would you go by yourself?"
"Don't you get lonely?"
"What if you get lost or kidnapped?"
"Aren't you scared?"
"You're insane!"

I know my family, friends, and acquaintances are all just worried about my safety (and perhaps my sanity), but there really is something about traveling alone that is highly addicting.

It's like working out. Asking a runner to stop their training would be darn near equivalent to asking them to chop off their arm.

After my first solo adventure, I was on cloud 9 for months. I couldn't believe I had done it, and more so, I couldn't wait to do it again.

The purpose of my post today is to share an article that really rings true with me, and many of my other solo adventurer friends.

Why you should start traveling alone

I came across this article a few days ago, when it was posted, but have been busy trying to formulate my thoughts.

I only have a handful of friends who travel alone like I do. Most of them, I have met while on the road myself. In fact, I just went to Miami (by myself, of course) a few months ago to visit one of my lovely that I met in Amsterdam (again, by myself).

For those who haven't done so, or for those who are too scared to. My advice? Listen to Nike and:

There is no better experience in your life than traveling the world. You only have one life, and the world is your (very large) oyster. Money can always be made later, but traveling is something that will not wait for you.

Keep your mind and heart open, but use your head when you make decisions. You will find that humanity isn't as doomed as you think it is (or maybe that's just me), and that true benevolence and friendship really does exist.

Some of my best and most life altering memories are from foreign countries. Swimming in and around water eroded rock crevaces in Southern Portugal, standing new to Big Ben in London, walking the roads of Fo Quang Shan Buddhist monastery in Kaohsiung Taiwan.

These are not experiences we can even come close to imagining in our home towns. The ability to visit other countries to experience their culture, their religion, and mostly their climate, is one of the most humbling and gratifying experiences.

I'll tell you right now, traveling changes you. You might think right now that you're a big deal, you have lots of friends, or that you know your way around a 3 hr driving radius from your city. But leaving your comforts behind will show you just how small you are in the view of the world.

In a sea of people at St Pancras International, you're but one of billions on earth who are trying to make a difference.

You'll see beggars on the street, you'll see the rich and famous. You'll see it all. And if you're like some people I know, you'll be so moved to make a difference, that you'll pack up your life so that you can devote it to others. Or if you're like me, you'll be humbled by the vastness of the world, and vow to see as much of it  as you can before you die.

Please read the article I have linked. And if you are still worried about traveling solo, bring a friend you can count on, and who won't drive you nuts. I'll probably write more about choosing the right travel partner at a later date. All I ask, is that everyone experience this. Even if you're only taking a 4 hour flight. There's nothing better than going somewhere without a familiar soul in sight and learning.