The Joy of Solo Traveling Part 2
Wandering around Binondo in the Capital city of Manila, Philippines
ALL-TIME FAVORITE POST FROM 20120 RE-BLOGGED:
I am sharing my soul to everyone reading this.
To be honest, i was brought up fed with a silver spoon, where most of the time i got what i wanted. Up until now, i am still learning to become more independent, you know on its real essence. Where i have to force myself to work so i have food to eat on the dinner table or where i have to find my way home from a night out of partying way too much not having to call my driver to pick me up because i am nauseous.
One funny story was when i asked my driver to take me to the baywalk of Manila Bay as i wanted to get out of the house and unto a place where i can chill, relax and write poetry. A few minutes later, i found myself walking wherever. Then, i saw him following me making sure i was alright. That was the tipping point when i realized i needed independence.
Whenever i travel, i feel a sudden urge to look after myself. As much as i want to binge drink when i'm out, let's say in Krabi, Thailand or in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with my friends, i just couldn't. I always ask myself what if i pass out and get so drunk, who will take care of me? Of course my foreigner friends would, but to be honest the real answer is no one but myself. So i try to limit my alcohol intake and stay away from trouble. When i had a slight case of diarrhea in Siem Reap, Cambodia and rashes from bed bugs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, i didn't call my father who happens to be a physician (so imagine i couldn't lie that I'm doing fine because he knows all the symptoms when you're sick etc.) and tell him my condition. I took care of myself. I nursed myself. I bought myself some energy drink far out of the city and some remedy from the drugstore and i conditioned myself to get well. When i was tagged along by a stranger - out in a random night out in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong with a Greek girl and with Australian girl in Koh Phangan, Thailand, i had to decide. I made a choice. A choice i know that could either bring bad or good luck to me. Still i decided for myself. I already thought out of possible repercussions of my decisions. I knew i had to stand by it. That alone made me realize, i am growing to be more mature now.
One of my first nights traveling alone. Mix of excitement, fear and just letting it all go.
What i am trying to say is, the best lessons I've learned are not from school but from traveling. Alone. Traveling per se is an experience already worth mentioning, traveling alone is a notch higher--difficulty level is higher but believe me when i say the end results could change your life forever.
Back home now, i sincerely think i can travel alone. Because i already did it. My loved ones gave their trust to me because i look out for myself traveling for the past three years. Heck, if i can do it in a remote village in Cambodia, i think i can do it. Although i know i have a long way to go. Unless i finally circumnavigate Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan or finally trekked the Amazon with just a spear and travel via a long tail boat, ask me again and i shall be proud to answer.
To be fair, there are times when you will feel lonely and wish that your family and close friends were there with you in a certain place. When i was in a Chinese restaurant in Singapore, i wanted to splurge a little bit on food so i ordered this and that, as i eat the fried noodles and yang chow fried rice together with squid i sincerely wished my family was there, too, as we are all big fans of Chinese cuisine. When i was in Shanghai, China i rode the river cruise in the Huangpu river. The majestic lights from Pudong was so attractive i wanted to take so many photos so my my mom and dad can see how really nice it was to ride the cruise. I wished they were there with me relaxing and enjoying the cool view and of course budget would not be constraint. When i was in Koh Tao admiring its impeccable sunset, i was taking a video of it when i realized i wish my close friends were there with me chilling by the beach and drinking cocktails as we watch splashes of oranges and blues painted in the sky.
Remember the movie Into the Wild, a movie based on a true accounts of a young man eager to search for independence. Although his character blew into unexplained proportions, i liked what he said somewhere in the end of the film that what is the essence of traveling and going to such a beautiful place if you cannot share it with people you love.
A Gloomy afternoon in Tonsai beach, Krabi, Thailand
So i say, book a flight where you want to go, pack your bags, and brave the new world alone. Your life will soon change forever!
So to end this two part journey of mine explaining why i love solo traveling, i would like to leave you with these two quotations so you can ponder some thought.
"The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. " - Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
"Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone." -The Dhammapada
So i say, book a flight where you want to go, pack your bags, and brave the new world alone. Your life will soon change forever!
8 Comments:
"Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have traveled." ~ Mohammed. Nakidagdag pa ng quote. Hehe. Fave ko yan!
Inspiring! The last time I traveled somewhat alone was yr 2000. Traveling alone is one of my goals. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :)
@pinay travel junkie
good one! thanks for that quote gaye its great! very true!!! enjoy your quezon escapade, write about it very soon. me and college block mates are planning on a quezon beach trip by the end of may so that is something really look forward to.
@dyosa
to be fair, traveling with family and close friends is also nice. the thought of sharing wondrous moments with the people you love is always worth remembering but traveling alone is a different feeling. the excitement, the anxiety, the fulfillment after is just a different high. maybe one of the real reasons why i travel alone is because there is a greater realization in the end how much family and friends really matter to me. when you're out there in the world, alone, it may sometimes be a little lonely so you always look forward to going back home. just a thought. thanks for the comment! i really appreciate it! Cheers!!!
love the flexibility of travelling alone
hey flip, what are your plans for the year? maybe, its about time travel bloggers get to travel together, what do you say? Cheers!
thanks for the info..very informative.. I will be going to Japan in two weeks and its my first time also...
@Anonymous Hope you have the best time in Japan. Feel free to read my Japan stories. Take care!!!
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