Should I travel alone?

Topic Type: Help

Travelling alone

Danielle Mercer
Post Count: 4

Msg: #1 573 days ago, May 7th 2008

Hello

I am thinking of going travelling next year, I have spoken to quite a few of my friends about it and although many say they want to go with me for at least some of the journey I think I am going to be on my own for some of the trip. Would you recommend travelling alone?

Thanks

travelbug27

Mell

Mell
Post Count: 14064

Msg: #2 573 days ago, May 8th 2008

Hello Danielle :)

There are advantages to travelling alone.
In fact I would only recommend travelling with others if they are experienced travellers and have an independent mindset. If they are like that you can do things you all like together while having the freedom to do what you individually want alone.

I think it is perfect if your friends are comming for just some of the journey. You can do things together for a limited amout of time and then do more of what you personally want after they leave.

Also, I think you will meet a lot of new people along the way. Of course there will be times when you are lonely, but a little lonliness never killed anyone.

Mel

richardworrall

Richard Worrall
Post Count: 22

Msg: #3 573 days ago, May 8th 2008

time on your own helps you realise the type of person that you are, it makes you stronger being put into strange situations and having to deal with it.

I did 3 weeks on my own last year and it was great, you can do things at your own pace and not have to worry about anyone elses plans.

JAWhite1587

Jessi White
Post Count: 2

Msg: #4 572 days ago, May 9th 2008

Hey Danielle,

Mel totally has the right words for you, and I agree with her 100%. I backpacked Europe on my own last year, and the overall experience was absolutely fantastic. However, I found a couple of moments where I didn't really eat dinner or something because I didn't feel like eating alone... or I would just feel lost and lonely (I got totally lost in Venice, for example). Those kinds of experiences - getting lost - CAN be a lot more fun and you can laugh it off when you have other people. They can also, however, wind up being WAY more stressful than they need to be when you're with others.

So, really - it sounds like you'll have a nice mix of both worlds, there. Once you're tired of your buddies nagging you about where to go and when. you can venture off on your own and vice-versa. Pretty sweet.

Good luck!!!

Jessi

newplacestogo

Gary Bowman
Post Count: 97

Msg: #5 572 days ago, May 9th 2008

Danielle,

I am currently traveling for four months on my own - hitting Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica (though CR wasn't really a planned stop) and Nicaragua. Being in the thick of it (a little over half way in my travels timewise), I couldn't agree with the other comments more and I can't think of much to add either. To be honest, I have gotten a little lonesome at times and homesick, but then I remember there's still things I want to see and experiences to have. It's all then okay once again. There will be stress to be a little "out there on your own" with no back-up, or so it will seem. I have found that if you know at least a little of the local language (and, for me, it is a little Spanish in Spanish countries, though English is occasionally spoken), most of the time you'll find locals that will help you to at least get where you're going. Traveling alone is a great confidence builder (though I would venture most people who will travel alone don't need a lot of confidence building in the first place, it will only reassure what you probably knew anyway), and it's also a great faith builder. Once you are reminded everything will be okay even if it doesn't go according to plan, you realize what faith is and that you have it...at least that's the case for me.

Make the travel...have some friends join you for a while to share some experiences and do some on your own so you have those great solo experiences. I suspect that for any homesickness I may have at the moment, when I get home it will all soon be forgotten.

AmmAroundTheWorld

Amélie
Post Count: 6

Msg: #6 566 days ago, May 15th 2008

Definitely travel by your own is not that bad you can meet new people everyday and do as you like, you don't have to please somebody but yourself!

deleted_73050

deleted_73050
Post Count: 5

Msg: #7 564 days ago, May 17th 2008

there is nothing wrong in traveling alone, but be aware of all the local news and take the necessary precautions, that done, you should be just fine!
<snip>

[Edited: 22:01 - Mell - Promotional posting is against the forum rules. ]

Sammy bo bammy

Sammy
Post Count: 1

Msg: #8 239 days ago, April 7th 2009

Danielle,

I'm going to embark on a similar trip so know why you're scared (so am I!). I go through moments of not minding at all and convincing myself I will meet people and it will be fine and others where I want to cancel it all. I guess that we will only know once we go so why not give it a shot? I have friends coming for parts (although the number of people who 'say' they are coming probably wont be anywhere near the actual number) and figure that if it gets to a point where I'm not enjoying it anymore, then I can just go home.

Do it I say!

Where are you going by the way? I'll be in South America from Dec this year and then to Central America at 'some point' after.

travelbug27

Danielle Mercer
Post Count: 4

Msg: #9 127 days ago, July 27th 2009

Thank you all for your helpful posts. I am planning on booking my ticket soon for October - early 2010 planning on going to Asia then on to Oz.

I am starting to get very excited now its starting to feel real!

Mell

Mell
Post Count: 14064

Msg: #10 127 days ago, July 28th 2009

October is certainly not far away. Hope you have a great trip! :)

Dj Barbie

DJ Barbie
Post Count: 75

Msg: #11 127 days ago, July 28th 2009

DON'T DO IT!!!! only kidding! :p PLEASE for the love of god don't be one of these people who think traveling is going to change them as a person and become more spirtual and enlightened! Travelers like that soon end up talking to the homeless junkies in the hostels and no one else!

Go because you want to, no other reason than that. If you think it will make you stronger, more intelligent, deep, mysterious, more attractive to the opposite sex or cool then you won't get out of it what you should, due to your Ego blocking the way :p

The best advice I would give ESPECIALLY if you are from Britain or America IS................... TALK TO PEOPLE. Don't wait to be approached by someone else, strike up with a convo with whoever doesn't look like a weirdo ( unless you like Weirdo's) Even if your scared just say hi or talk about the weather and I bet the speak back!

Enjoy! :)

natawas

Denise
Post Count: 23

Msg: #12 126 days ago, July 29th 2009

Dj Barbie,
I agree and disagree with what you are saying. I believe traveling does change you. But not in the radical ways that most people think travelling will change them: travelling wont make you a more attractive person, unless the people you hang out with are status whores and judge each other by how many places they've travelled, because travelling a lot essentially means having a high social status because it means that you can afford to spend a lot of money. Also being the type of pretentious traveller that you describe could lead to the same consequences as you described.

Nonetheless, I've learned a few things from travelling that i wouldnt have had i sat comfortably in my home. I learned for example, that (amazingly!) i had it in me to take off without relying on the judgement and guidance of any other being but myself, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, i learned what kind of people my friends truly were. People that i deemed adventurious turned out to be the type of people that you describe: they travelled, looked like they enjoyed life, looked like they did so many activities and lived on the wild side and yet it was all a show for facebook. every single time they did something fun, the camera would be snapping them in all sorts of positions to make sure that the people on facebook would see them at their coolest the most refined and most adventurous. It was for the image and not the experience after all. In fact, during those times that on the facebook pictures we looked to be doing the most, we did nothing at all, AT ALL. it was just a photoshoot. I ended up hating them, and hating myself for being in that situation, and I swore i'd never do that again. I wasted time, money, and a gorgeous vacation on a gorgeous place to where i doubt i'll be ever to go back in a really long time. So many of my plans were ruined because of my friends.

After having gone through that trip i decided i would NEVER AGAIN go with other people. If i had to have one of my travel buddies say no i cant go with you to the tomatina because it will ruin my makeup for facebook pictures, i cant go out in the rain cuz my makeup will come off and my clothes will get ruined for pictures, i think i would snap. I dont know how i didnt when i was going through this the last time but next time if i ever go to travel somewhere with someone again i gotta know they have no problem not taking a shower for a few days, not wearing makeup and can live without facebook for a few months. There will be a serious test for this, because trust me youd ont want to waste your precious time money and the great oportunity away because of someone else's whims. And yes, vacations do make or break relationships but its usually the later. Just make sure you truly know your friends and what they're like as travellers. I think guys are better at this than girls but i know enough guys who are bigger princesses than most of my female friends so gender doesnt guarantee a thing.

system

TravelBlog System User
Post Count: 927

Msg: #13 125 days ago, July 30th 2009

1 posts moved to this new topic: Travel will change you.

Dj Barbie

DJ Barbie
Post Count: 75

Msg: #14 125 days ago, July 30th 2009

Agree 100% with all of that Natawas :) I wouldn't dream of going with friends traveling cause at the end of the day everyone will want to do different thing arguments will erupt, people will fall out and alll because peeps just arn't compatible traveling together but it doesn't mean they can't be friends back at home!

I'm leaving in 2 days 4 austria via the rest of Europe, Sold my company in Feb this, saying good bye to parents and friends ( and girlfriend) today and tomorrow and then I'm gone for how long? who knows! Get work in a resort hopefully as have a few interviews and then travel med in spring. Could I do that with friends? probably not as they might not get employed, not speak language, get home sick blah blah blah.

Go on your own BUT do it because you want to. as I said no other reason. You can learn LOADS in your home country , end of the day the country you visit is someone elses home and I'm sure they learn stuff there too :p

I'm going because I've had my fill of working, done it sinse I was 18 and now at 28 I want to get out and enjoy One's youth while One can! ( no offense to old people but don't fancy backpacking and camping at age of 60-70)

:)
x

melissa09

melissa
Post Count: 6

Msg: #15 51 days ago, October 12th 2009

Hi Danielle,

In my opinion, it isn't safe to travel alone especially if its your first time to go on that certain place.
As the saying goes two heads are better than one, aside for safety reasons, it's also more enjoyable, ayt?!:)

<snip>

[Edited: 09:41 - Mell ]

Number of Users: 12
Number of Posts: 15

Post New Topic

Forums » New to Independent Travel