Friends ask me what I like about traveling alone. I’ve enjoyed it so much, I wondered myself. Am I a closeted misanthropist? Why not spend these great moments with a friend?
Here are a few of my favorite aspects of solo travel:
- The ability to get lost in the sights, sounds, and sensations around me
- The freedom to do what I want at a moment’s notice
- The sense of accomplishment at finding my way alone, relying on Google Maps and my questionable navigational skills
- The gratitude for surviving scary moments alone
Solo travel drives home the silver lining of being geographically lost. In Pune, India, I walked off the beaten path near a popular shopping area and found myself the only white American girl in a Muslim neighborhood. Sadly, I know little about the Muslim faith other than through sensationalized stories on the news.
Stern men, congregated outside the houses, stared as this lone woman wound her way through the streets, trying desperately to remain calm. My heart beat madly even after finding the main road. How thankful I was to feel safe again.
The stern men most likely wondered how this stranger ended up in their neighborhood. Here’s the “beaten path” I enjoyed exploring before wandering off.
I traveled to India with a friend, however, wandering around alone was essential.
Getting lost in the moment is essential for taking good photos. I can take pictures with friends, but I want to be with them, not trying to capture the moment with someone or something else. For example, walking down Madison Avenue alone, I escaped into the reflections of this Ralph Lauren window display.
Capturing the moment is most satisfying, whether I’m alone or with someone else. I was sitting next to Jessica near the Vatican when this photo presented itself.
