Backpacking solo. Everyday isn't like any other. Often, you anticipate the odds, and even out the rough patches. You will have days that look like roses, days that look like weeds. You make compromises, you sacrifice your comfort, you do things that are usually unexpected of yourself. You feel the thrill whenever you've proven yourself wrong. In between all those experiences, you grow and one day you wake up to the realization how much you have changed. You stand alone, but you stand stronger. People come up questioning why do you, as a girl choose the hard way and you reply, why does it have to be more difficult option, just because you are a girl. You challenge opinions and know when to stand up for the things that you believe in. You learn when to back down and call it a truce. You stop explaining yourself when you realize people only understand from their level of perception. You reveal so much about yourself, the idiosyncrasies, the parts you have struggled all your life to hide and your insecurities. Believe me, it takes a lot of courage to put down your guard. You learn how to recognize people who are on the same journey as you and provide them words of assurance because you know how tough it can get. You earn your street creed, making friends with strangers that you have crossed path during your journey. You learn to wave goodbye, how not to live your life through someone else's eyes. You feel so much for people and places but you stopped being attached to them. Even with the heavy backpack on your shoulders, you feel much lighter as you let the walls crumble down a little at a time. Friends asked me why is it so easy for me to strike up a conversation with the westerners. I guess it takes practice to feel comfortable in the presence of their piercing blue eyes. Taking away all the physical differences, you will come to a realization how similar we actually are and we all have the same insecurities underneath. You learn how to respond to the racism and learn what is it like being a minority. You practice tolerance and show more empathy to other minorities. They stare because you look different, and you smile back in acknowledgement.
When verbal languages doesn't speak, body language says it all. You learn how to make a first impression, express yourself beyond words, slow down on your speech so that people understand what you are trying to say. You adapt to people and situations, while picking up some colloquial terms or gestures to get by a city or a country. Every time you move to a new place, you start from square one, learning the metro system, the culture, the food, the liquors, and the way of life once more. But that's the wonderful thing about foreign travel. You feel like a child again, picking up the pieces and putting them together. You can't read anything, you only have the basic sense of how things work, you can't even reliably cross the street without endangering your life. Your entire existence becomes a series of interesting guesses.
From time to time, you take a breather from all the chaos and marvel at the surroundings, thinking how surreal it is for you to be witnessing such unimaginable beauty. It will get overwhelming but at the same time, it's fascinating to be present. And you breathe out, telling yourself that everything is going to be alright. Sometimes, we just need a break. In a beautiful place. Alone to figure everything out.
Not to mention, technology and social media. Put away those devices on the dining table. Listen, really listen to the flow of conversation, debate and express your opinions. Be organic in your thoughts. What you know from the media is often exaggerated and not the whole truth. You question the facts and balance the viewpoints of others. Trust me, you can get along just fine even without constantly being connected to the wifi, even though it's stands true that home is where the wifi connects. Money woes, you definitely need an inordinate amount of control and discipline to make it work. Not all indulgences is worth it and same goes for pinching pennies. Know what you want to invest in and even the rest out. You minimize your material wealth and maximize your experiences. By compressing your life in a 45 litres backpack, you learn how to maximize space, not only in your backpack but also in your heart. Ultimately, you try to make ideal choices based on the circumstances that you are in.
As you travel solo, you are 100% responsible for yourself, and it's inevitable that you discover how capable are you.