The past few years have been a rewarding solo journey across Africa and other continents. From one country to another, I had experiences that enriched my mind and spirit leading me to enjoy humanity. I had good encounters, faced challenges, built connections, felt welcomed, and unwelcomed, smiled, laughed, cried, and reflected on life. Here are a few of my tips on why to make the most of world travel. There are many more, but I believe these are the basic companions to ensuring a fulfilling experience of solo traveling.
- Trust the process and relax – traveling is a process that could seem daunting. With the right tools and information, you can relax and enjoy the process.
- Do your pre-departure research – look for areas online, make a list of places you want to visit, foods you want to try, and experiences you want to have. Ask friends and family what they know about the country. They might have tips or guidance to give.
- Walk like you know where you are going – walking confidently through unknown streets is key. If people think you know where you are going or know what you are doing, they are less likely to bother you. Never show fear.
- Skip the big cities if you are looking for authentic experiences – If you want to immerse yourself in culture and meet people who will tell you stories, go to smaller towns, and cities and skip the major tourist traps.
- Find the locals for the best conversations – grabbing a coffee or having dinner with nationals is how you learn about the country. It is space for cultural exchange that makes travel more interesting.
- If it looks good, eat it – one of the best parts of traveling is the possibility of trying new food items. Try it, you might just like it. Street food is usually your best friend when looking to try authentic foods.
- Have at least three plans – when traveling, there is the original plan with accommodation, transportation, and a spending budget. Have two backup plans in case there are unforeseen changes. For example, book a hotel/accommodation while writing down other options for other places in case there is an issue.
- Learn some basic sentences in the language and smile – saying a greeting in the local language while smiling can open doors and create new contacts for you.
- Balance between trust and distrust – your instincts will guide you on who’s information you can trust. While looking for directions, and asking questions, there could be instances of deceit. Trust your instincts.
- Get lost with confidence – getting lost is part of the process. Look for directions with confidence and remain calm. While you are lost in the streets you might discover new places and gems. Focus on finding your route while enjoying the scenery.
- Keep money/cards in different places – if one bag is lost or stolen you will have money/cash backup somewhere else.
- Carry a little black book– we rely on phones and computers these days. But a book with key information such as addresses, phone numbers, names, and directions is key. If you lose your phone, there is backup information.
- Go high and low– depending on your interest (gastronomy, culture, shopping,) balance your budget between expensive and low-cost purchases. For example, cutting costs on food (cheap street food) to afford a paid tour/experience.
- Keep in touch with family and friends- throughout your travels, let friends and family know where you are staying, where you are going, and the people you meet. Checking in can help track you in case of an issue.
- Feel the fear and go anyway- when doing your research under tip number 2, there is the probability that you will find information on why that country may be dangerous or other details of bad experiences from other travelers. But if you don’t go, how will you find out? So take precautions and follow guidelines, but don’t let negative opinions stop you from discovering places.
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