Mia was nursing a broken heart when she decided to go solo traveling in Europe. Three-months later, she went home with a wider perspective on life, and a stronger heart and character that is ready to take on whatever possibilities that come her way.
Meanwhile, blogger Gale hopped on a bus six years ago to visit a friend’s family just to have a break on her routinely work. With a degree in Anthropology, this lady is not new to visiting remote places and immersing herself to the culture and their people. Adjusting in a new place, and having that constant curiosity on things around her come naturally in her character. She also left her job as an analayizer of a site for gadget reviews R-Tech24 which she said really pays the bill. But she is not happy.
Years later, Mia and Gale are two of the most known female travelers in the country—exploring places, meeting people, and pursuing passion one travel destination as a time. Some may say that traveling solo and slow may be lonely. Terrifying even.
While many thinks they do not want to look like losers for not having any travel buddies, as what TV writer and author Kristin Newman told Time, solo female travelers wanted to get the life they want without having to adjust to anyone’s time and preferences.
“It’s the same how people don’t want to eat dinner alone. I think people are afraid of being lonely, of being scared, of looking like they didn’t have anybody,” she notes.
Moreover, the scary thought of getting lost, being robbed, and meeting scammers as you go on the streets of a new place may pull you down and make you shun your dream of travelling.
But for Mia, a freelance writer and editor and the author behind travel blog solo traveling made her discover herself more—this is amidst the risks.
“I have learned that I am strong and confident when I’m traveling alone. I know how to take care of myself,” she says in an interview, adding that one should know the line between chasing dream and risking safety and security.
Gale was also a freelance writer, can attest to this. She said, “I’ve learned to navigate in strange places and overcome obstacles all by myself. I also get to test my patience and courage and I have more time to reflect.”
Aside from meeting new people and learning about the places and their cultures, the two says that going places alone is a way to discover yourself more, away from your comfort zone. Author Candy Spelling wrote in Huffington Post that without anyone to please but yourself alone, you enjoy a sense of independence, while having the opportunity to have a restorative mind.
She says, “I think that if you can take a trip on your own, you might find that the peace and tranquility are worth it. It’s just you and the universe—no one to answer to! You may see, as I did, that such a scenario could be very restful and transformative.”
She said, “I have to either use the timer, or ask someone else to take it which usually ends up not a good one.” Also, witnessing a spectacular view for the first time gives a kick of melancholy as you also remember people that you want to share the stunning sight with. But more than the view and the blurred shots, solo and slow travelling is rewarding as meeting people along the way is something you can treasure for a lifetime—it may be that photographer you met while in Thailand’s Krabi Island, or the kid who was selling postcards in Vietman.
While keeping yourself on guard at all times, Gale says that we should not lose hope in humanity and just give in to the notion that strangers should not be trusted. Sometimes, strangers find long and lasting friendships to fellow strangers too. “I have also learned that people are kinder than we give them credit for. Sure, there are places where the people seem rude and unfriendly, but someone’s bound to come and help you out without expecting anything in return,” Gale notes. Since last year, been hopping countries from Bolivia, Brazil, and even went hiking up to Peru’s Maccu Pichu and the United States. For them, they are living the dream.