The fears and excitement of a solo voyage
By Hamza Khan, Behjat Rehan, Sara Noor and Sajjad Gul
A break from all the exasperation of mundane existence is always a lifesaver. Travelling with your family might take away some major responsibilities off of you but when travelling alone, responsibilities tend to gravitate towards you. Although it may seem fear-provoking in the beginning but taking a break from a routine for a while and just having time for yourself in solitude, can be therapeutic.
Here are 10 things one goes through while travelling alone for the first time.
Your flight gets delayed
It gets really frustrating when you are excited for your trip and then life happens – delayed flights. With barely anything entertaining except your phone, you start observing the surroundings, especially the people. This is where you start questioning your existence. With a cup of coffee or a snack, you sit and wait for an announcement to tell you that it’s time to finally embark on your journey.
Interminable calls from home
You have not even entered the airport and your phone rings. It’s from home. You enter the airport and you get a message. Surprise, surprise, it’s from home again. You find a place to sit and ding! Guess what? Home calling! From reaching the airport to boarding your flight, your family constantly wants to make sure you’re okay. Kudos as you managed not to crush your phone. You will go places. Literally.
Pronouncement
Multiple voices, which to follow? Finally, you manage to catch the relevant announcement but still are confused if the dreamy voice is calling for you or someone else. You search for the flight information, track other passengers, try to keep hold of your things and get the strength to walk towards your boarding gate. But wait! Never mind. That announcement was not for you. It’s okay, your time will come.
Money check
Your wallet is the most important thing right now. Of course after your cellphone. You keep checking if your money is still there or if you have dropped it, whether you even have enough cash on you. No matter how many times you count, paper in your wallet somehow till the very end.
Feeling like something is missing
Do I have my travel bag? Yes, it’s right in front of me. Oh, what about my hand carry? It’s sitting perfectly on my lap. And my cellphone? It’s in my pocket. My wallet? Right! It has been checked multiple times, but let’s be sure one last time. It always feels like there is something missing, something you’ve left at home, or misplaced. Which at least keeps your mind busy so it might even be a good thing. At times you actually have missed something but it’s okay. You still have an amazing journey ahead of you.
Isn’t it dangerous to travel alone?
The only thought which will try to dampen your excitement will be the fear of danger, in a land unknown to you. When strolling around you might get worried about getting lost or robbed, but that is surely normal and okay. Also, you can always ask for help from the usually obliging locals.
You don’t trust strangers
Coming from a Desi family, you’ll be told, not to be too nice to unfamiliar people in Pardes (foreign land) because who knows what they want from you?
Thus, a desi kid avoids people being friendly with you and doesn’t interact. Well thanks mom and dad, I enjoyed the trip alone.
You have no one to take your pictures
One thing that's heartbreaking about travelling solo is you not having a travel bud to take pictures of you. You’re also less likely to be comfortable in showing your desi side to a foreigner by posing under the tree with flowers and posing for a picture. Heartbreaking news that hits you like a wave on a trip is when there is no personal photographer or a handy friend to take pictures of you. Being a desi-solo-traveler you are likely to feel uneasy while asking a person passing by to take a picture of you awkwardly posing under a tree.
Eating Alone
Nothing is wrong in eating alone and people, who stare at you or feel pity for you, should not be of any concern to you. Who knows you might really be enjoying the serene view accompanied by your favourite dish and some good music.
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