Square one

I’m back where I landed approximately a hundred days ago, and where this entire trip started. I didn’t know I’d be closing some kind of loop at this point in time but here we are. That makes it a very appropriate time and place to reflect a little on the journey so far.

Where

The famous quote about “the journey, not the destination” sounds more and more true as I keep moving around. I’m grateful I got to visit and stay in five countries in three months, but at the same time, I also understand that I should be careful and pace myself.

I noticed that pre-made itineraries almost always come with a recommended duration, that is “the optimal amount of time one should dedicate to any destination”. This duration is usually between one and four days, and while I understand why such recommendations are written, I don’t really like that experts make it sound like you probably shouldn’t stay in any destination for longer than that.

Two days only requires you to plan one or two things to do, and maybe one or two places for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You definitely want to make the most out of the 24 or 36 hours spent here. You’re literally here one day and out the next day, and just like that, this place is now checked off your list. The thing is that many places have more to offer than just a few main sights. “Make space to genuinely chill” is a headline and a behavior I wish I could see more often.

When

If I exclude everything I booked before my departure, I have been booking accomodations 6.2 days in advance, on average. For transportation (flights, boats, buses…), my average time between booking and travel has been 5.6 days (if there’s interest I could share more insights from this spreadsheet) (the funny part about the second metric is that I happen to know it’s been 66 days on average, for all the flights I’ve ever taken before this trip).

As someone who enjoys (or used to enjoy?) the research and planning phase that comes before any travel, this is all very new and unusual, but I’m getting used to it. I was maybe trying to apply my old ways of travelling to this new adventure, and quickly realized that it wouldn’t work. I appreciate going slow and not planning too much in advance a little more every day.

What

What you do on such a trip is really up to you. I haven’t noticed any specific pattern in what I choose to do in the places I go. I’ll go visit the main point of interest of a city if I feel like it, and I won’t feel any sense of missing out if I don’t.

Have I spent hours just wandering around instead of checking every single “must see” landmark in the area I’ve stayed in? Most definitely. Do I feel any sense of guilt about it? Absolutely not.

I’m probably repeating myself, but I really hope you get the point.

Who

Going solo isn’t for everybody, but it works for me.

Probably not a surprise if you know the introvert that I am, but I have to admit that I had a few doubts before embarking on this journey. Will I miss people? Will I be looking for travel companions? Will I feel lonely? Will I have to change into somebody else?

I’m not sure where it comes from, but I feel like solo travellers are expected to “be social”. Meeting and mingling with strangers, partying, going on crazy adventures, finding love or making friends along the way. You know, that stereotype.

I’ve been spending most of my time by myself, while also trying to open myself a bit more than I would usually do, and I like this balance. I never really sought any of the conversations I’ve had on many boats, bars, hotel lobbies, roadside restaurants or guided tours, but I enjoyed them whenever they happened. Some people would actively be looking for more connections than that, but I’ve found a balance that’s just right for me.

Why

All I wanted was a reset. You can do that in many different ways, but travelling on my own for an extended period of time was the best idea I could come up with.

I think it’s working?

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