Hima's Pages

(Photo: Bled Lake, Slovenia)

The travel bug has always been in my blood, but it was in my twenties that I could finally spread my wings and see what’s out there in this world. As Jane Austen says, “If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad.” Now that is why I set out to Europe, in the guise of pursuing my research, to travel and explore the world. Now, I can’t say I have traveled enough, but I have been fortunate enough to travel a bit. I love to travel with others, but there is a special kind of fun in traveling solo. Most of all, there is a sense of freedom in these journeys. There would be places where people don’t talk in a language you understand, and you would be in situations when there won’t be internet on your phone. But none of that would bother you when you are a traveler in spirit.

If I had to list three amazing insights solo traveling gifted me, it would be these: a) how you can find camaraderie in the strangest of places, b) how kind people are, c) how amazing my own company is.

There are always a couple of people you meet on those long bus and train rides, or in those strange little European hostels with whom you have such beautiful conversations. It is perhaps those brief moments of friendship that I cherish the most. A chance encounter that enriches you with stories that you would remember for a long time. The best are those morning conversations at the breakfast buffets in the backpacker-friendly European hostels. From timid smiles and hellos to exchanging itineraries and life stories, these are just moments that go straight into my treasure chest.

When you travel solo, you will really see why they say that traveling is a great teacher. The best lesson you will learn is about kindness, and how that’s the best asset one could possibly possess. Traveling solo won’t always be a bed of roses; not everybody will help you. There could be people who trick you, make you feel unsafe, or worse. But then, you will encounter such kind humans who will go out of their way to help you, which reassures you of the good in the world.

Have you caught yourself feeling awkward when you sit at a restaurant or bar alone? Have you had to pretend to be on your phone to avoid the awkwardness? Despite being an introvert who loves my own company, I have felt this awkwardness whenever I find myself alone in a social setting. I was never comfortable being by myself. It was only when I went on a solo trip that I learned how beautiful it is to be by myself. The most magical gift traveling solo gave me was the joy of enjoying my own company.