1. WORLD CLASS PEOPLE
I can’t stress this enough. The people you meet traveling are truly the best of the best.
They are just like you: adventurous, open-minded, curious, friendly… and a bunch of other positive adjectives that I’m too lazy to mention! You already have so much in common, you chose the same place to travel for starters.
Travel friends are special because you do things with them you haven’t even done with your childhood best friends. The friendships you make abroad are quick and deep. When I was in Thailand I met a group of people in the morning and we decided to do a tour where we kayaked, climbed mountains, and then drank on a boat for sunset. The next day they left and I never saw them again, but I somehow consider that group of people closer to me than a friend from college I’ve known for years.
You are traveling the world with these people which fosters a unique type of bond. The best bit is that everyone you meet is exactly where they want to be. Nobody is complaining about Mondays or yearning for the weekend. Everybody is happy because they are doing what they want to be doing: traveling! It creates such a positive vibe and energy, it’s addicting.
Before I tried solo backpacking, I was nervous about looking like a loner with no friends. I can assure you if this is a fear of yours to just throw it out the window. Not only are there a ton of other solo backpackers, but everyone is so welcoming and open to meeting new people. If you are sitting at a table alone, I promise it won’t be for long; people will just join you or even invite you to join their table. It took me a bit to acclimate to this type of inclusive culture since in America it would seem very strange to sit at a table with a rando. But once you travel for a while and you see someone else sitting alone, you will ask them to come join your table because you know how good it felt when someone did the same for you.
2. “SOUL SEARCHING”
People love to use this cliche about finding yourself and blah blah blah.
But in actuality traveling does help you define your identity because you are forced to make decisions for yourself and nobody else. One of the aspects I love most about solo travel is that I’m not attached to friends from home that I have to watch out for. Meet a group of people you get bored of? You can just leave. No drama. Fall in love with a hottie for the night? You can go off with him without that nagging feeling that you ditched your bestie. There is nothing holding you back because the only person you are responsible for is yourself.
Something backpacking has definitely done for me is present me with challenging situations that help me shift and change my value set. You start to realize what is most important to you, what matters and what not to give a f*ck about.
I had to decide if I care more about a social hostel or a clean one. If I care more about a fancier bus that’s slower or a shittier bus that’s faster. If I care more about spending my money on fancy food or on excursions. If I care more about traveling than having a 9-5 job. If I value my own expectations about my life over the societal expectations I feel I must meet.
Traveling will help you define your values and even help shape new ones. Cliches and all.
3. THE FREEDOM
There is no better feeling than waking up with no alarm clock, walking outside and thinking “How do I want to spend my day?”
You can go out and explore, sit at a cafe and read, or chill at the hostel and drink. The possibilities are endless and that is such a good feeling to know you can literally do anything you want.
You wanna hop on a plane and switch countries? You go Glen Coco. The world is your oyster.
I like to keep my itinerary loose so I can decide in the moment what I want to do. My first round of solo backpacking was only for a month and I wanted to make sure I fit everything in, so I booked plane tickets and hostels ahead of time. BIG MISTAKE! There were cities I fell in love with but couldn’t explore further because I had to catch a plane. There were amazing new friends I wanted to stay with but couldn’t because I already paid for a hostel. Due to this learning curve, next time I went solo backpacking I planned absolutely nothing. I bought a one way ticket and thats it. Best decision I could have made. It allows you so much more freedom to explore as you go.
So overall, keep it open so you can do anything or anyone 😉 that pops up. It’s a darn tootin’ good feeling.
4. MOMENTS OF SOLITUDE
Backpacking can be as fast paced or as slow as you want.
During the fast paced moments it’s easy for time to fly by and for weeks to become months. I had to remind myself to find moments of solitude to think and reflect. Luckily there is no shortage of beautiful views so oftentimes I would go somewhere alone, bring my journal and book, and sit and enjoy being exactly where I am.
Taking in the view (and posing for this pic) in Khao Sok, Thailand
Take some time to slow down and really appreciate what is right in front of you.
5. ROMANCE
If you happen to find someone who tickles your fancy, it will most likely be amazing.
You’re in a foreign place with a foreign person and it feels like the world is yours. Romantic beach walks, ATVing around the dessert, and crazy rooftop club nights are all the norm. It seems like a date that you would do once in a blue moon but abroad that’s just what happens.
Due to these insane experiences the bond you have will feel stronger than someone you could have met at home. But sadly these romances are often fleeting as you are both traveling in different directions or live across the globe. But sometimes it works out that you are on the same route and you stay together for weeks or even months. Hell, I have even met people who eventually got married. I’m currently writing this post in the Netherlands visiting a boy I met in Bali. Anything can happen!
So if you are single and ready to mingle, I’m sure there will be some lovely stuff 😉 happening for ya. Just be safe since STDs tend to run rampage over there.
6. KIND LOCALS
The locals really make backpacking feel more authentic.
Sometimes weeks go by before you realize you have only spoken to western staff at your hostel and your European friends. The locals remind you where you are and to respect the land. Most locals are grateful you are there and experiencing their home.
Sexi, a local Vietnamese rockstar
They will give you free food or a place to stay. They will give you gas when your motorbike breaks down on the side of the highway. They will bandage you up when you have no supplies. They will laugh and stare at you. They will bow to you in gratitude and they will line up to take pictures with you. They will humble you. They will question you. They will drink with you. They will make you think twice. They will friend you on facebook and comment on everything you ever post…ever.
The locals make it worth it. Treat them with kindness because they are the ones who help you when you are in a jam. So tip generously and don’t be afraid to ask them about their life and learn about a culture so different from your own.
7. INSANE SCENERY
Constant beauty. So much that it becomes overwhelming at times.
Mountainous landscapes, serene beaches, vast desserts, and bustling cities. It’s everywhere and it makes you feel so lucky to have laid your eyes upon it.
Sunset in Luang Prabang, Laos
It’s crossing off your bucket list and adding to your camera roll. It’s contemplative moments looking out on the unbelievable views. It’s rambling conversations about how lucky you are to be exactly where you are. It’s mesmerizing and it’s all there for you to explore.
Good thing the world has no shortage of stunning scenery.
8. THE FOOD
I mean what more needs to be said.
Trying authentic Pad Thai in Thailand or eating fresh falafel in Israel; my mouth waters just thinking about it. Trying all kinds of local delicacies is a lot of what I spent my days doing. Lucky for us we need to eat 3 times a day…more if you’re me. Now that’s a lot of opportunities to try out the yums.
Thai tea cake on a tea plantation in Chiang Rai, Thailand
Try street food, fancy restaurants, and home cooked meals from a local. Try something off the menu that you have never heard of… even if you hate it, at least you tried it! Just remember to avoid the food poisoning at all costs.
9. TRAVEL ADVICE
The internet is great but other peoples direct experiences is really where the juicy details are.
I would say 70% of the conversations you will have includes “Where are you heading to next? And where were you before here?”. People love to talk about where they have been and give you hostel recommendations, tours they loved, and food to try.
Then you go to enough places and you just can’t wait to tell someone heading there next about your favorite hostel and a restaurant they just HAVE to go to. I’ve gotten tons of good recommendations this way and have given my fair share as well.
10. CONFIDENCE
Both in yourself and your abilities to tackle whatever comes your way.
After returning from traveling I’ve had people tell me I seem sure of myself. I know who I am and that comes across even when I first meet someone. Traveling causes you to make decisions for yourself and only yourself. It also forces you to meet and explain who you are to a ton of other people, this inherently builds confidence. As a young woman, I found it especially empowering to know that I am completely capable of taking care of myself. Drop me anywhere in the world and I know I would be okay.
You traveled alone to 10 countries at 22…what can’t you do?!
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