Solo Travel

I’ve never traveled alone before. It was always with friends or family in places that were different yet familiar. Whether that be a different city in North America, a Western country, or visitng my roots in the Philippines.

I’ve had friends, colleagues, and heroes of mine talk highly about solo travel. It seems to be one of those things that no one regrets doing. And the idea of solo travel always seemed compelling. I like the idea of being independent, open, and present in the moment. Above all, it’s the chance to be surpised and grow.

I told many people that I had plans to travel after graduation. A natural follow up question is where do I want to travel? I’d say, “I want to go somewhere that’s culturally different from North America. I want to go somewhere I don’t know the langauge. I want to go somewhere where I’ll be suprised.”

My world is very small, I lived in North America for most of my life. By going somewhere different I’ll discover how big the world is, and how little of it I know, and how much more there is to learn.

If you’re twenty-two, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel — as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them — wherever you go. - Anthony Bourdain