I walk alone, I walk alone!

People often ask me why I travel alone and I answer with a silent smile or simply saying that I enjoy it, never bothering to explain...

Today, while sitting at home, I decided to write, to tell the world what travelling alone means to me.. I travel alone coz it gives me a sense of freedom, a sense of being alive.. And Robert Frost's 'The Road not taken' inspired me!

I started travelling alone out of frustration of cancelled plans.. People have their priorities and I understood that.. But I couldn't accept the fact that my plans were cancelled for others' priorities. And one day, I picked up my back pack, packed my stuff and set of just like that.. The first time that I ever travelled alone.. It wasn't too far but when I returned, I had changed.. I was addicted to the travel drug already.. And the journey proved to be an adventure in itself..

 For me, to travel alone is to learn.. Every journey has a new lesson to teach.. Yes, there is always a lingering fear of being vulnerable, but it is this fear that keeps me alert to my surroundings, while walking through the busy streets or through the narrow, abandoned, shady lanes.. It has improved my sense of direction as well, by taking a lot of wrong turns and hitting a lot of dead ends..

Then, there is a feeling of being in a foreign place when I am not a part of a group.. I don't speak my local language, I am not with familiar people and I don't have anyone leading or following me.. There is no fear of getting lost coz the journey means as much as the destination does.. It means that I can explore a lot more, right from the busy market place to the lonely, remote places.. I can travel at my own pace and not be too slow or fast for anyone, resting when I need to and travelling when I am ready.. No one waits for me and I have to wait for no one..
Another reason is the food.. I make my own choices to eat either at a local street food joint or at a luxury restaurant and talk about the food and culture with the people who serve.. Also, I found out that a cup of tea can be a useful conversation starter anywhere..

A solo traveller is a lot more approachable and hence, it is easier to get into a conversation with locals and other tourists alike.. I can have a conversation with people even when we can't speak a common language.. That is the power of communication.. language is just another medium.. I can always switch to sign language.. And a conversation can start anywhere..
When I am travelling alone, I tend to switch off the cell phone, and thus, any contact with the outside world, as it is more of a disturbance than assistance.. There are moments when its very late and I am unable to find my way back to my hotel and there is no one around to ask directions, in which case, I use the GPS.. But whenever possible, I ask for directions from the locals.. I prefer refraining myself from using any of the social networking tools on a vacation as they only hamper the journey..

But most importantly, I travel alone coz I can be what I want to be.. Staying at a place where no one knows me, and it is one of the best feelings ever!

P.S. It's not that I don't like travelling with friends which is a completely different experience.. But since I started travelling alone, I have seen more of the world and less cancelled plans.. 

P.P.S. Title credits - Green Day :D