“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” --Freya Stark I don't know if pleasant is the word I would use to describe it, but I understand what she means. (Also, I admittedly looked up "quotes about traveling alone" and did not know who Freya Stark was before now, but plan on reading more about her and some of her work because she seems pretty amazing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freya_Stark.) I would probably describe the sensation of waking up alone in a strange town as refreshing, liberating, and a little bit terrifying. I have never truly traveled alone. I have walked around New York City by myself, or flown abroad alone to meet someone, but before this past week I have never set off on my own without any plans of meeting up with friends once I arrived. I did have an organized program for a good chunk of my trip, so there was some structure to my travel--I wasn't 100% wandering. But I did have a few days without plans, and without friends. The verdict? It is amazing. Yes, there are cons to traveling alone. You may get followed down the street by a 60-year-old man who wants to buy you a drink and get to know you better (yep, that was only one case of that happening), but other than some moments of discomfort I never felt unsafe. As of right now I'm convinced traveling solo is a great way to go. It was only a few days, and there was never a chance for loneliness to really set in. But dealing with that loneliness is part of solo-travel. Also, knowing myself, if I had gone to a hostel with one of my best friends we would have checked in, put our bags down, and set off on our own. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is a different experience. Traveling alone forced me out of my comfort zone. I talked to strangers, invited myself along to dinner, and had to pick up some basic Italian pretty quickly. In just a few days the world seemed to get smaller. I met people with similar interests and backgrounds (an anthropology major who dances and was homeschooled, and she lives just a state over), and I also met people whose lives I admire (for example, a guy who quit his job and is traveling for over a year without set plans). The best part is that traveling solo doesn't mean you are alone. Yes, you have to figure out train schedules by yourself and carry your bags everywhere in the airport. Yet while I was in Sorrento and Naples I met people who became acquaintances, or even friends, if just for the day. I'm sad I don't have family or a friend from home to share my memories with, but I met new people and made memories with them and there is something special about that too. I am just starting to dip my toes into solo-travel, but I can't wait for more. (There will be more coming about my time on the boat and adventures in Italy, but I can only write so much on four hours of sleep and a day in airports.)
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Claire AngelineI am traveling the world from October 2017-October 2018, and the plan is to visit all seven continents. I'm a vegetarian foodie, a baker, a dance enthusiast, a nonprofit co-founder, and a huge travel addict. When I'm not traveling I'm putting my MPH to good use and doing public health research. Archives
September 2016
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