To Uncertainty & Beyond!

I traveled solo in Guatemala for about four weeks and had lots of “firsts”. In this series of posts, I’ve taken a look at these experiences. I rode my first Chicken bus, attended my first language school, tasted my first piece of fried chicken from Pollo Campero, and traveled solo for the first time.

First time traveling solo

At first I was extremely nervous about traveling alone. When I boarded the plane in Chicago I definitely had some butterflies in my stomach. Would I hate it? would I be okay by myself?

After my first few days in Quetzalroo hostel, my positive experiences boosted my confidence significantly.

I’m an only child and I enjoy my “alone time”. Maybe that’s why I took to solo travel so naturally.  It was easy to find a quiet corner in the hostel and whip out my Kindle or Laptop for a while. The places I chose to hang out in (Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and Xela) were all great places to wander around alone. The churches, ruins, streets, and architecture of Antigua and Xela and the breezy, warm, island-like atmosphere of the lake were all beautiful.

My favorite church - La Merced in Antigua, Guatemala

Waiting for the boat to cross Lake Atitlan

Yes, it was my first time traveling solo, but after just a few days I knew so many people that I never felt alone. I ran into someone I knew continually as I made my way from town to town. You meet people in hostels, restaurants, coffee shops, buses, and tours and end up seeing them again along the way.

Why did I love traveling solo?

Freedom: I loved waking up when I wanted and casually preparing for the day without worrying about someone else’s schedule. If I wanted to read on the rooftop terrace or beach all morning, I could. If I wanted to spend an entire day taking photos of doors, I could. If I wanted to eat at Pollo Campero twice in one day, I could…maybe that’s not such a good thing.

Reading alone on the beach in Dubrovnik.

Feeling Adventurous: I got a lot more pleasure from my bus trips and hostel searches while I was going it alone. I felt more independent and adventurous throwing my bag up on the roof of a shuttle and waiting all alone at gas stations for the next bus. I became much more self-reliant during my month in Guatemala.

Meeting People: While couples who travel can and do meet people, it is much easier when you are by yourself. You are much more approachable as a single person and if you get a little lonely there is no other choice but to talk to a stranger. Solo travel forces you to be outgoing or you’ll just sit there alone and experience nothing. Travelers also feel an instant connection with each other, probably because of shared interests, similar age, and the college like atmosphere of hostels. Making friends is very easy.

My classmate, Lindley and me and La Parranda.

Shared Experiences: One huge apprehension I had about traveling solo was that I wouldn’t be sharing my experiences with anyone. I imagined wandering around a city by myself and snapping photos with no real memories. This is far from my actual experience. I almost always shared my time with someone that I met along the way. I’ve also kept in touch with a lot of people. There were definitely times that I wandered around alone, but it was by choice and I enjoyed it. I still have those memories even though no one was with me. I can look back at those photos and remember the day, the scene, the weather, the feeling. It doesn’t take being with another person to enjoy a place.

I also have great memories with people like dancing at La Parranda and the Tropicana, hiking up Mt. Pacaya, tasting the best chocolate fondue ever, wandering around a beautiful cemetery, swimming in Lake Atitlan, and witnessing someone take their very first bite of a McDonald’s cheeseburger.

Sami and her first Cheeseburger Happy Meal!

She liked the cheeseburger, by the way.

Of course this doesn’t mean I’m ditching Clark.

There were absolutely times when I missed him a lot and wished he was climbing the volcano, poking fun at the hippies, or jumping on a Chicken bus with me. But, separate experiences are good. And, I’m sure had a great time without me in Chicago. He spent most of it braving the “Snowpocalypse” huddled in Beth’s apartment with no electricity and heat and a five-foot high snow drift outside the front door. (I think I left at the perfect time!)

For those of you who are timid about solo travel, I have some advice: DO IT. Even if you have a husband, wife, significant other, new puppy, three cats, pet rock, whatever. Take a short trip by yourself. It’s liberating and empowering. You won’t regret it.

What do you love about traveling alone? Leave your comments below!