My thoughts on Solo Traveling

Yes I did it. I just did solo traveling! For the very first time I did a solo travel (read: solo/alone/me, myself and moi). From planning to executing, I did everything - ALONE.

Solo traveling is not my cup of tea. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's just that I never had the chance to do it. But technically, I did a "solo travel" before. It was nine years ago, fresh out from almost 15 years of primary, secondary and university education. A college friend, whose roots are from Palawan, invited me to visit her hometown in Puerto Princesa. The thing is, she was already there and I need to go there alone - via Super Ferry. And so I did. I went there alone and succumbed the 22-hour boat ride - alone. A nineteen year-old chick was alone for the first time. I dunno how I made my parents approved of it but they allowed me and even financially sustained the whole 2-week trip. 

That was it. The longest time I was alone with myself. 

Yes I did it. I just did solo traveling! For the very first time I did a solo travel (read: solo/alone/me, myself and moi).  From planning to executing , I did everything - ALONE.

Others may see it as a very casual thing. Nothing serious. And did it more than a hundred times in their lives. But lemme tell you this - you were once a solo travel-virgin right?

One big problem I have with solo traveling is having to deal with myself for the duration of the trip. I dunno if it's weird but I have this battle with myself. And I am afraid that if something bad happened during the trip, I would be mad at me. If you know what I mean.

One more thing is that I love to talk. If you pretty much know me (personally), I am the most talkative person and the loudest. I have an inborn hearing-defect. I can't hear very well and as a result, I speak louder than "normal" people would do. I can't even whisper because other people would definitely hear it. And as I grow up, I was usually a "talker" and not a "listener" (because honestly I can't hear you if you have the softest voice on earth). To make my point, I am an extrovert not an introvert. I love to talk and talk and talk some more (that people oftenly mistaken it for being pabida - I am the most misjudged person - paawa effect). Who would listen to me if I am alone?

And lastly, I find it more expensive to travel alone than in a group where you can divide the costs making it cheaper.

Yes I did it. I just did solo traveling! For the very first time I did a solo travel (read: solo/alone/me, myself and moi).  From planning to executing , I did everything - ALONE.

It was not my intention nor did I make a conscious effort to travel solo. It just happened and I am glad I just did.

It was the 4-day long weekend/vacation and the perfect time to go out on a holiday (also the most perfect weather). A week before that, I started to research about some possible places to go to. I can only do a land trip so I trimmed my list down to three possible destinations that I've never been to; somewhere in the C.A.R. (Cordillera Autonomous Region), MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and the Bicol/Albay Region. So I texted some of my friends about the plan and they were either sick or busy. And so I texted other friends (I really don't have that much). And lastly, the boyfriend. But none of them replied the way I wanted them to. They were just so busy. And then it just hit me that hey, I can do this on my own. And then I realized that it's easier said than done.

So a day before the trip, I researched and planned for some info about the place I was eyeing. It was really difficult - emotionally. One minute I was too excited and the next I was worried if this would turn out well. 

Friday. The "planned" day for me to leave. I leave work everyday at 12 noon. When I went home, I opened my closet and just stood there figuring out if I should carry on with the plan. Should I do this? And then a heavy sigh. Bahala na si Batman at si Buddha.

So there I was, at the bus terminal. It was 6:00 p.m. and all I could think of was going home and quit instead. But my inner self was shouting and cursing me at the same time. It was like a battle and a debate in one's self. It's not an easy thing. Trying to convince myself that it will be fine was harder than actually experiencing "it".

Yes I did it. I just did solo traveling! For the very first time I did a solo travel (read: solo/alone/me, myself and moi).  From planning to executing , I did everything - ALONE.

I came out alive and perfectly fine. I can still feel the excitement from what I've experienced. It was a sweet 4-day retreat. I survived being alone (not necessarily lonely), spent time with the locals, almost finished a book, stayed at three different resorts/inns, and experienced everything in a new perspective. It was really fun. I didn't expect this thing to have a big impact in me. 

Bottom line: Fear of the unknown. I never knew what to expect. I've never been in that situation so I wouldn't know how to deal with it. No one to talk to. No one to bully. Nobody to look after my stuff when I need to do number 1 or 2. Just me. 

But then again, we learn from our experiences. Bad or good, we still choose what to learn, unlearn and re-learn. And that's how we pick out what is relevant and what we should leave behind. 

I just did a solo travel. And this would definitely not be the last one.