Why you have to travel SOLO!

[zapptacular]

Your first time traveling alone can be a bit scary at first. It might take a week or two before you get used to it. But soon you figure how to do it properly and have the best time of you life.

First of all you get to do whatever you want, Whenever you want and however you want. You wont have your friend nagging at you to do something you dont want to do.

Second of all when partying at night you can make a complete fool of your self and party so hard and meet so many people (I usually try to meet everybody, cause lots of people are boring and I want to find the cool ones). And most of these people will never see you again so who gives a shit. The cool people thinks its awesome you party so hard and have so much fun, so you exchange emails and all that shit, and who knows you might have a place to stay on your travels.

How to meet people.
Just down with a group of people at the hostel and say your traveling alone and need company. Or ask how long you been here, whats the fun thing to do here, what are you doing today, what have you done, where you going, what are you doing, blah blah blah blah. That way you can learn about cool places to stay or go or whatever.

Ussually I dont dont care if i walk around the city during the day alone but at night I just want to Make Party (german saying, I love it, Please tell everybody). But it is nice to find people with a good sense of direction to help lead you around.

Last night I probably danced with every girl in the hostel bar and then danced on the table with bunch of gay guys. really I dont give a shit what other people think because I probably wont see them again.

AND BEFORE TRAVELLING ALONE I WAS SHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So you learn alot about yourself because it is just you there to make the decesions and you cant rely on any body else. You start to come into your own and pop out of your little shell.

So fucking do it. Cause you will have so much fun!

[louse]

Make party, that's great.

The only problem I think is going home again. I am going to have to be a bit more careful about how I act/ what I tell people because when you are around people you will see again, that can have bad consequences. Hmmm.

[lebron23]

Hahaha. Yea dude, my thoughts exactly. When's the next trip

[zapptacular]

Im in antwerp now, making party, drinking the best beer in the world, and soaking up a very vibrant music scene. So lifes good. Actually, Im in love with life.

[buzzingtalk]

Originally Posted by louse

Make party, that's great.

The only problem I think is going home again. I am going to have to be a bit more careful about how I act/ what I tell people because when you are around people you will see again, that can have bad consequences. Hmmm.

i never thought of it from that perspective. how much longer do you intend to stay away from home for, or are you just going to see how it goes?
\when i spent 4 months in asia a few years ago i went back to the uk and found it difficult as i came back and started uni straight away. it was hard to settle in, and have a permenant home again, took me a few weeks to unpack (i kept thinking i was gonna move on again) and my english was a bit messed (anyone who comes out here and spends most of their time with locals pick up what i call malay english - weird lazy grammar)

travelling solo you are much more open to influence i find - if i travell with people (only happens with travellers i meet along the way) locals tend not to approach you as much, if im on my own i always get people chatting to me. it depends on what your into really.

if your quite shy id recommend trying out a small trip with a freind for a bit, just to get used to what happens when you travel (searching for hostels, food, budgeting etc) that way if you begin to panic your freind is there to help.

[Up2Eleven]

Agreed about solo travel!

I found that it really boosted my confidence and actually felt safer to be myself. I had some great conversations, met some amazing people, and found out that the world doesn't actually hate me for being an American.

I love the freedom that solo travel affords and having someone you know with you I think adds a kind of filter or buffer to your experiences. It's less raw and visceral. Being solo gets you out of all your comfort zones and shows you who you are and what you're capable of.

[louse]

buzzingtalk- well I was telling everyone November but I don't think I can hold out that long. I'm pretty homesick. It is my sister's 9th birthday soon... she was 7 when I left
Also, as a (perhaps former) shy person myself, I recommend throwing yourself in the deep end! I did and it was the best decision I have ever made, choosing to live overseas away from everyone I knew and everything that was familiar to me.

[Majestic58]

I have to say that I am SUPER excited to being going alone. I figure since this is a big trip for me, and something I've been looking forward to for a LONG time, solo is the best way to go. That way, I am sure to see everything I want to see, I don't have to really worry about stress, or anyone else's feelings (as selfish as that sounds)... I kinda get to use this time to take care of and do me, and I am REALLY looking forward to it.

[zapptacular]

I think once you go backpacking once your addicted for life. SO im going home, going to save up a shit load of money and do a three year world tour sort of thing. Finding odd jobs along way, especially in places that you really want to get to know better. It would be nice to do it until im 30 or something. Theres just so much to see and so much to do and so little time to see it.

[MeTurk]

In a group you tend to stand out more aswell (due to the chatter) which can lead to your group getting hassle from locals, pick pockets, being turned away because places don't like groups and your also more susceptible to being lead into some backpacker killers dungeon of horrors as they always seem to go for groups if Hostel and that other one in south America are anything to go by.

[simply_angelic]

^

[Maineartist]

There was an instance when I was standing out in front of a busy hostel on a street. This Italian guy wanted me to go with him to see a "beautiful girl". "bella donna" he said. "No". I said. "I'm not gay." he said. "No".. I said. I was in an unfamiliar place and he a stranger was luring me to go with him. It didn't add up. Even though I didn't go an experience at the hostel was pure torture. I was bunked with two characters from a Stephen King novel. It was a sweltering hot night and it was uncomfortable.

I may rent the movie Hostel. The plot for the sequel looks like more of what I can relate to. Because where my real life experiences were harrowing and it is in the same setting it's guaranteed to be worth it.

[zapptacular]

Actually every hostel in Europe, you run the risk of being tortured by cappacino sippin, cigarette smoking, well dressed Europeans. Especially in Berlin, they have to be the most unfriendly people in the world. Example, Im walking down street listening to a busker, and these Berliners stop me and demand that I smoke a joint with them, they forced it on me. Little did I know this joint was laced with PCP, they took me away and stole my liver and kidneys. Whatever you do dont go to Berlin.

[TheWills]

I dunno about traveling alone I have done both now and I liek it more with a mate. Thing is though I always go with the same dude I think when you find that travel partner that fits you exactly then your gonna have a way better time. Going at it alone gets lonely after a while and there is no one there to share the real kick ass times with. Me and my firend when we get together (hes irish and Im canadian so we always meet in diffrent parts of the world) always spend a night sitting back sinking beers and looking back on all the adventures we have had and we sure have had some wild, fun and sometimes downright scary times. Its good to know you have that rock there that you can rely on. Plus I hate when you play "backpacking 20 questions" meeting a new person. In new Zealand I was ready to karate chop the next person to ask me where Im from, where Im going, where I have been, and what I would like to see and do.....KARATE CHOP KIYA!!!!!!
however I think every one, EVERYONE!!!! Should go at it alone at one point in their life too see what they are capable of, theres nothing more self satisfying then coming home from 3 months of being in your own personal space. You wont be the same person

[Esterina]

^^^Maybe, but those questions are effective ice breakers for travellers !

Originally Posted by zapptacular

Example, Im walking down street listening to a busker, and these Berliners stop me and demand that I smoke a joint with them, they forced it on me. Little did I know this joint was laced with PCP, they took me away and stole my liver and kidneys. Whatever you do dont go to Berlin.

Glad you're still here to tell us about it...

[MeTurk]

Little did I know this joint was laced with PCP, they took me away and stole my liver and kidneys. Whatever you do dont go to Berlin.

That's terrible, I bet you where really looking forward to that liver and kidney pie too.

[pinknic38]

Originally Posted by zapptacular

Little did I know this joint was laced with PCP, they took me away and stole my liver and kidneys.

I hate when that happens!

[lilwings]

Travelling solo is great. You get to see what you want, when you want to see it. Nap whenever you're tired. Eat whatever you want, whenever you're hungry. Not to mention, you can meet anyone by just asking them to take your picture.

[davidd]

I have just started off, been in Europe for about a week now. Travelling alone which I was nervous about at first but it has turned out awesome so far. Met a bunch of people, drank too much beer (at least the beer is awesome in Belgium) and walked a hell of a distance around all the sites of london, Brussels and Brugge.

Gotta put my vote to travelling alone as well although I can see how having a mate along would have been handy in some situations where im bored waiting for a tour to start or being alone surrounded by a bunch of tourist families

[neonkitchen]

thanks! this is excatly what i needed to shake my jitters about upcoming solo travel and get truly excited!!