Solo Tour - Enjoy the Solitude!

Last year, a colleague of mine quit the job for personal reasons. When asked, what he was going to do, he said that he took a year’s break to go out on a world tour. I was pleasantly surprised needless to mention the jealousy factor. I thought he was going with his friends, he said “No. I am going alone.” And again I was like…ohhh what a dream to live :)

But then I tried telling to myself, he is an American, it’s possible for them to travel alone, live for themselves etc... How difficult it would be for us Indians to think of something like this. We always have some or the other responsibility on our shoulders. It's not just that, it's the mentality we are brought up with. We are always taught to save for the rainy day. Not to spend a lot on things those are unnecessary. Things that you can live without need not be bothered about.

Couple of days back, I noticed a friend of mine posting few pictures from her Euro trip. I did not pay much attention until I came across a comment she made stating that this was her Solo Tour and she was all by herself in this Euro Tour. I could not help but smile. It might be a very common thing but for me it was not. I have never come across anyone I knew or even anyone my friends knew who have done something like this. You know world tour isn’t uncommon; but it’s mostly either the couple’s going around or a group of friends or a family. But going on such a tour all alone is definitely new and that too a girl – that is what made me smile.

A Shot from Chicago Brooklyn Bridge

You might think what’s a great deal about it. Well, she is also from my hometown; and I know how people are. It’s not about how difficult it is to travel alone. It definitely is not difficult in today’s world; especially for us IT guys, we are used to travelling continents and getting accustomed to others culture. So as long as you know English and you have money; you are all set. But the major deciding factor is breaking the age old barriers.

It’s about convincing yourself that it is alright to travel alone and you will be fine. And more than that, it is about convincing your family – your mom, dad, brother, sister, friends, spouse etc… that you want to do it this way. Trust me – the only thing they would say is – Why? What would you gain out of such an outrageous trip? It’s unsafe; how will you manage; why do you want to take such risk etc…

As a girl, we are always brought up with additional security measures. We are given a different set of Code of Conduct to follow – Don’t talk to strangers, don’t move around with guys, don’t wear such clothes, don’t go to such places, don’t eat/drink such food, don’t laugh/talk loudly, don’t behave in such a way, don’t be out during such a time etc… And more importantly we are given a feeling that a female always need a male’s support; they cannot handle their life alone. They need a Father, a Brother, a Husband to take care of them throughout different phases of their lives. So when your mind is trained in such an environment, to convince yourself that you can be on your own itself takes a lot of effort; Solo World Tour – definitely takes a lot more.

The experience of a place is different when you are there alone v/s when you are with your family v/s when you are with your friends. You need not go far, go to any beach or hill top alone and spend couple of hours there; the thoughts that will acquire your mind will be different, the peace you will find is different, a blissful solitude that very few of us take time to enjoy. So this article is dedicated to all those brave hearts who are out there venturing this heavenly earth on their own – Enjoy your Solitude!

-Sarita

Dated : 18 Oct 2014

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SahanaOctober 19, 2014 at 8:37 PM
<3good one Akka
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