“Thirty things you must do before you turn 30”, “Must haves in your bucket list”, “Be a traveller not a tourist” and many more similar articles, blogs and books have talked about this one thing repeatedly, ” Solo Trip”.These two words themselves have some free spirited energy in them. Well, something that has inspired almost entire of our generation across the world, how can it escape me?. So here I am, adding my penny to the treasure of wisdom already shared on this topic. What different should you expect from this blog than what has already not been said, written or shown? Well, let’s just say, I attempt to give a real scoop behind the reel life of this glorious animal “Solo Trip”.
The first and foremost thing you need, is one such article to inspire you. Check. Second and the most important thing; Beg your manager for ten days leave. Start by bringing up “how badly I need a break” in the coffee conversations with your manager. I am sure every one has their own trick rolled up their sleeves. But remember this is the most critical step of embarking on your journey. Now once that is checked, it is time to pick a location. Make a list of all the locations you always fancied going to since childhood or saw in the movies or read on social media. Remove the ones which are off season for your dates of travel, ones which have serious safety concerns and the ones which cannot be covered in the limited duration of your vacation. Now open Trivago or Makemytrip and get the idea of airfare, this will further reduce your list. Now pick one from the small list which is left. You would be surprised how the final destination you select might not sound as fancy to talk about as Croatia, Peru or Jordan sort of a place. But remember this is about experience and not just about place. So now you are all set to make further itinerary. But before you get ahead of yourselves, you still have one more critical task left, “informing about this solo trip plan at home”. Now if you are thinking , “What lame? Who informs at home?” then you are not one of us my friend. Close the browser window and move on. If your folks are super cool then this task is quite easy and can be done on the day of the journey as a "FYI phone cal". If your folks are average chill, then just get that conversation done with. You do not want any last minute mood offs with “You should have told us before” comments. But if your folks are normal Indian parents, then get ready for some amusing conversation. “ Solo? Why do you want to go alone? Is it safe? Why are your other friends not coming with you? That’s why we tell you to get married.At least you will have some companion for travel.Your manager gave so much leave? Then come home. Stay with us. You waste too much money, learn to save. You are not taking care of your health.” So on and so forth. The conversation will end with both the parties agreeing to disagree. ( I really want to talk to those travel enthusiasts or characters from Bollywood movies on how they manage such conversations with their parents). Now finally you are totally set for that glorious, adventurous and total brag material trip of your life.
Let us skip to the day you arrive at your destination. Really there is no different preparation required between planning and actually getting there. It is as simple as “leave the guns, pack the canoe” kind of preparation. So getting back to the day one at the destination. Now on day one, you can experience two very different kind of feelings: 'A torch bearer of the experience seeking generation of gypsies that we are' or 'shit, it was a mistake, look at these happy people travelling with their friends or family'. My advise, get over both the feelings. As only after that the real coveted feeling sets in: Freedom. Absolute freedom to plan your day, eat, sleep, wear whatever you want, just do what you feel like doing. It doesn’t have to be mingling with locals, or going crazy or trekking on the path unexplored ( Read, advised by some one on Trip Advisor). It can be as simple as lazying around at the beach on a hammock with a good novel or sipping Old Monk looking at snow capped mountains. The important thing is keep no pre expectations if you really wish to enjoy. It sounds good on paper to say, “ I don’t want to be a tourist but a traveller.” But in reality, you are just a solo traveller not a lone wolf. If you see other tourists renting a bicycle and roaming around, just do that. Travelling on your own doesn’t mean you do the opposite or simply unheard activities. It just means you do everything your own way. Now everyone talks about all the positives, the shimmering side of the rainbow. Let me also tell you about some disadvantages. Yes, there are a few. You can’t try that interesting looking local dish without wasting it a little because now you don’t have that one friend who finishes the left portions.Your slippers and bag have to be now left under the watch of a kind fellow tourist sunbathing or a coast guard or left to fate when you go in for a swim. There is nobody to take that awesome sunset snap for your social media hashtag post. Again you are at the mercy of a fellow traveller you just made friends with a few hours back. If you are buying that local costume or a souvenir, your fashion advisor friend is missing to decide which colour looks better. You will end up buying whatever the shop keeper says looks good on you and which will be practically every thing in his shop. If you are hoping to talk to a cute girl sitting across the bar table or a smart looking guy sitting next to you at a campfire, you do not have your wingman by the side. You really are going solo here. But then again on the plus side, since no one is there, nobody has to see how that conversation actually went or that scared look on your face when you bungee jumped or how you made fool of yourself because you did not understand the local accent. Now you can pick and choose the stories you want to tell or not to tell when you go back. More than that much talked about journey of finding your inner self, it is more about stories you created for yourself. It is quite a feeling I must say when asked “ Any solo rider?” at the roller coaster ride and you walk ahead cutting the queue with head held high. You do get a little more perspective about your life when a soccer mom at the side seat says while putting her child to sleep , “I miss those days when I just backpacked across Europe. Make the most of this time in your life”. There is a certain joy in meeting a fellow solo traveller or a group of backpackers and listening to their stories. It’s like a lost animal returning to its herd and your heart screams, “ I belong here. These strangers understand me so well.” In nut shell this much hyped “solo trip” is nothing but having that time and space which is not the middle ground of a discussion but is completely and truly yours.
“ Miss, your table is ready”. I close my laptop and get inside the restaurant. “So, table for one?” He asks with a confused smile. “Table for one!” I respond proudly while smiling from my heart.
