Edita wears | Is Solo Travelling That Great?

Dress: Boohoo, Earrings: Boohoo
Images Agata BosakWhile competing with the Icelandic skies for the title of biggest drama queen, I noticed that looked slightly lonely in the photos. While the photos above are not from a solo trip (duh – who took the photos in front of the iconic Hvalsneskirkja if I were?), I have recently been on many alone trips around Europe. I read a lot of articles praising how great and unforgettable those experiences were, but I found myself struggling to agree with many of what they revealed and stated. For instance, that everyone had to do it at least once in their life, that it was completely life-changing, soul-finding, eye-opening, etc. Sorry life coaches, here’s what I actually found out about myself when I was solo tripping (not a drug pun):
1. TLC is the perfect channel to fall asleep to. TLC is my diva hotel requirement from now on.
2. They say we all are creatures of habit. I am not. As the only person staying in twin or double rooms, I found that I had no consistency is picking bed sides. In some hotels, closer to the window, in others the nearest to the door. What eye-opening theory does this fall into?
3. I have a good sense of direction. I can easily find locations. Also using Google Maps helps.
4. I love walking and just looking at architecture. Extra points if it’s grand and abandoned looking. I adore the mystery of that.
5. I don’t feel awkward being the only person at a dinner or breakfast table.
6. I look friendly to strangers. People keep talking to me on planes, in the street, in taxis. They look confused when I excuse myself and say that I am not native. Apparently, I have a very cosmopolitan appearance and a look as if I understand and about to engage in a conversation. I think that’s the look I mastered when I attended maths classes in my teens. I didn’t master maths though.
7. Sleeping through a flight is not an option for me. I will drift in and out, but never really sleep.
8. Packing light is my superhero skill. I mean feather light, and yet having everything I’d physically need.
9. I missed my dog so much each time. I really imagined he was there with me on every trip.
10. Travelling alone was just not for me. There was no spiritual discovery. I didn’t hear any inner voices, and didn’t gain any true deep insights that all of these enlightened solo travellers seem to get. I hated not having someone to share the experience with. I felt selfish seeing how beautiful this world is and having no one to share it with. I think what I found out was that traveling with someone who truly knows you and accepts you just the way you are is much more adventurous and daring than globe-trotting by yourself and annoying people with the stories of “how that one time you hiked over the Himalayas”. Literally, no one cares.

Between stories told and memories shared, I choose memories.