The hardest part is deciding to go
The initial plan was to take a year off. It was supposed to be a one year sabbatical where I could buy a little time to enjoy life and live my dreams.
As I have said to so many people who have dreamt of doing the exact same thing, the hardest thing about extended travel is deciding to go. After that, everything falls into place. Once you get past the fears of ending your lease and quitting your job, everything else is cake.
I traveled alone for the majority of that first year, with the exception of a month or two when friends met me along the way. It’s definitely not for everyone, and you have to have an independent spirit for sure in order to survive the endless hours alone. Whether waiting for a bus with all your possessions, dining solo, struggling with a new language, or exploring a new place by yourself, you have to be able to endure (and almost enjoy) awkward moments of isolation and loneliness.
It’s difficult to explain all the things that you will learn about yourself when you are alone in a foreign country, struggling to communicate and find your way, but it is a true test of your social survival skills. No one cares who you are, or where you came from. You are on your own.
Luckily, I tend to thrive in uncomfortable situations. I actually enjoy the experience of culture shock and appreciate how it humbles me. I think all Americans should travel more. It opens your eyes, changes perspectives and eliminates fear of the unknown.
As citizens of the world, we are much more alike than we think.
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