Honest Truths About Traveling Alone

People usually gasped anytime I said that I was out there (wherever I was at the time) backpacking by myself… And even more gasps and fake faints upon the realization that I was traveling by myself – as a woman.

I get it, but at the same time, I don’t.

What are we all really afraid of? Is it because, as women, we are prone to more danger than men? Is it because we are really perceived as the weaker sex – that we need people around us to protect us all the time? Or is it because of just the mere fact of being by one’s self that we fear? The loneliness… The being alone part?

Well, do you want to know the truth? 

In my experience… When you’re traveling by yourself, you’re hardly ever alone. Not really. Unless you want to be.

I was gone for over 18 months. The trip was mine.

And most of the time, I was only really ever truly alone while I was traveling from one place to the next. On the plane, the bus, the train, or the car. Yes, there were moments when I chose to wander off somewhere by myself, but I think a little isolation is part of the experience.

If I weren’t visiting my family or my friends, I was either Couchsurfing, Voluntouring, or staying at hostels.

ACCOMMODATIONS = LOTS OF PEOPLE

Couchsurfing

When I Couchsurfed, I was very lucky about the hosts that I stayed with. They were very accommodating, generous with their time, and I ended up either hanging out with them, or with the other couchsurfers staying there, same time as me.

This is my Couchsurfing host, Karen, and fellow surfer, Dulce :)

Work Exchange/Volunteering

When I was “voluntouring” via Helpx and Workaway, I was working with other volunteers, and I usually found voluntary employment in hostels or B&B’s. I was constantly surrounded by people, and constantly meeting new travelers!

This is how we did lunch while I was working for a hostel in Italy

These were my fellow volunteers working for a luxurious B&B in Umbria, Italy

This is us, folding sheets, while volunteering at a hostel in Tel Aviv, Israel!

When I stayed at hostels… well, this is when I had to get a little smart and creative.

First of all – I chose to stay at hostels that had a really nice common area. I had a tendency to choose the smaller ones with a more homely vibe. I was very diligent in doing my research, and I read a LOT of reviews. It’s just that the smaller ones with a good common area sort of draw people in, and the space invites the guests to hang out… therefore making it SO much easier to meet people.

HBB Hostel in Sao Paulo during the World Cup!

I have NEVER been in a situation where I didn’t make at least 1 friend while staying at a hostel. As a matter of fact, the acquaintances usually start right at the moment when I check in. If someone there sees you with a backpack, it’s automatically – “Hey! Where u from? What’s your story?” And BOOM. Instant best friends.

Instant besties at our hostel in Lisbon, Portugal

Second – when you are by yourself, and people see that, they usually are the ones to approach you anyway. I’ve always believed that people, in general, are kind. And if they see that you’re alone, they’ll reach out and include you. 

Instant Friends from our hostel in Rome!

So if your excuse is that you’re shy --- then tough luck. You can’t wiggle your way out of this one because people come to you regardless. They introduce themselves to you, they invite you to tag along with them… Trust me. There’s usually always at least ONE person in the whole hostel who will act like the host/ess, or the glue that will turn the whole joint into an organized (sticky) group tour. And most of the time, if you’re lucky, that person is me.

Obviously it helps if you have a more outgoing personality, and making friends with strangers is second nature to you. But even if I think of myself as one, I do have moments when I get a little shy or embarrassed to start up a conversation. I learned though, that sometimes even just a little smile goes a long way. Or a stupid question like – “Do you know where the toilets are?” or “Hey, what kind of currency do we use in this country?”

Once when I tagged along with these Danish girls to go and get all muddled up in the Dead Sea! This mud is magic, BTW

One time, I bumped someone on purpose and said, “Omg I’m sorry! HEY! Nice shirt! Where are you from? I’m Eartha.”

Lame. I know. But we ended up being friends and traveling together for 3 days!

Just remember that most of the time, they are just as scared as you are when it comes to these things… you know, like meeting strangers. But keep in mind that strangers are friends you just haven’t met yet!

TOURS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER

Another thing that I did quite frequently was go on Free Walking Tours, or random city tours and excursions. These usually lasted for about 1 to 3 hours long, and about 80% of the time, the whole group ends up having lunch, dinner or drinks together afterwards. Instant buddies in a strange land!

Friends I've made on a walking tour in Athens

I went on a Greek Hiking Tour once and I was in Santorini by myself. On the boat on the way over, I met a few groups of girls, and we all just sort of ended up in a little pack. We exchanged emails and we basically hung out with each other the whole time I was there. I even ended up traveling to Mykonos with one of them randomly, and her and I became really good friends.

My ladies in Greece! We are still friends :)

DANGERS ARE EVERYWHERE ANYWAY

OK. When I look back on all the places I visited, I think I was on my guard the most while I was in Argentina, and Rio. I was heavily warned by both travelers and locals, mostly about pickpockets and such. And I did see and feel danger while I was there… that everyone was just wary of one another.

My bag got stolen when I was in Buenos Aires. It was a rookie mistake. I was in a very posh area of the city, having lunch with a friend. I usually do not let my purse leave my body, but on this occasion, I put it on the ground next to the wall and I was stepping on the strap. Sadly, it was still swiped from under me without me even noticing it. I regret being stupid. But then again, I was having lunch with this gorgeous Uruguayan model and I think anyone else would have been just as distracted.

He is a real person. His name is Fernando. Dangerous.

In Rio, during the 2014 Carnival, it felt like the dangers were a lot worse. So I didn’t even bring anything out with me. My money and my lipstick were stuffed in my bra, and I had nothing in my hands. I hardly even brought my camera out. I relied on others to just send me the photos they took.

Trying to protect my dignity in Rio!

But in all of these instances, I always had my wits about me. I was smart. I never walked alone in the dark by myself, and I never allowed myself to put myself in dangerous situations. I always had a keen sense of awareness, and I always carried my pocket pepper spray!

In hindsight, I was very lucky that in all the traveling I did – getting my bag stolen from under my nose was the worst thing that happened. And I’d like to think it’s because I put my adult hat on and took care of myself pretty well.

THOUGHTS ON BEING ALONE

During the moments I was actually on my own (pretending he's beside meee...), it wasn't so bad. The thing is, when you are in some form of isolation, you really end up learning a lot about yourself.

For instance, I learned that when I'm by myself, there is a LOT of internal monologue going on. I talk to myself constantly, and I narrate as if I were telling myself the story of what is currently happening to me. 

For example... "Oh... I can see that there is hail. Right. I am right in the middle of a hailstorm and I am freaking out. It sounds like someone is shooting a machine gun at my car. Oh my God. What shall I do? I will stay calm and keep driving. Just keep driving... Just keep driving driving driving.... Oh look, a rainbow!"

Is that weird?

Yeah this was my drive during the internal monologue you just read above.

One of the most significant alone times of my journey was when I was driving through the North Island of New Zealand. It was during the first leg of my trip, and I was driving through the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen in my life, on a right hand drive car, up and down a mountain. I was completely out of my comfort zone in a completely strange land, populated by mostly sheep.

Meh-eh-eh-eh-eh!

I felt completely isolated - and with that, came a little fear, but that's okay... Because along with the fear came a little courage, and a very strong sense of self awareness. I realized that as I was talking to myself... comforting myself through this whole process - I made myself laugh. It wasn't so bad learning that I actually liked my own company -- and THIS is very important self-love stuff.

One of very many "scared" selfies I took, driving in NZ on my own

Your location plays a lot into the experience too, because it's hard to achieve a good sense of solitude when you are surrounded by the noise of the city and society.

But when you are in a place as beautiful as this....

Gasp.

...things become really clear. Outward silence bring inner silence, and it is usually then that you learn your life's greatest lessons. 

I remember feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be at that exact moment. I remember feeling grateful that I made the decision to take a leap of faith. And I remember thinking to myself, that I must always remember that when I am alone, I am not necessarily lonely. 

All I know for sure is that I felt more alone when I was living in LA than I did when I was traveling the world solo. And while I was out there, I learned a great deal about myself that I never would have known had I stayed in the comfort of my old life... trapped in the four walls of society.

These experiences of solitude tested and challenged me to understand who I really am and what I really wanted out of my life. And because of this, I am a better and happier person. 

AND SO

Now that I have experienced both traveling by myself and with a partner, I can definitely say that there are perks to doing both. It's great to travel with someone, yeah... But it's equally satisfying going on a trip by yourself.

I just think that if you've been wanting to go on a trip of a lifetime but you're putting it off because you're still waiting to meet that one person to go and travel with... Well, you may as well toss that suitcase out because I think you may end up waiting a very veeerry long time.

Don't postpone these kinds of adventures because of the fear of being alone. You're never gonna get to do anything if you keep giving into those reasons why you shouldn't do it.

Believe me, if you go, you'll end up having a great time, make a ton of friends - real ones, and I bet --- you're probably even going to meet someone special while you're on the road. It's happened to me a few times... and trust me... A little romance never hurt anybody ;)

I heard someone say that the "You only live once" quote is false. "You only DIE once," is more accurate. And I completely agree. You do only die once - but you live EVERY DAY. 

So let's make it count. 

At Home In Lisbon

After spending the longest holidays in the UK, it was time for me to get a move on! The next big adventure on the list is South America, and the cheapest way for me to get there was to fly from Madrid (I  did my research).

Awesome! I’ve only really ever been to Barcelona… so I figured it would be nice to explore Spain for a couple weeks.

Although, my good friend, Lea, just came back from Lisbon on a holiday, and she loved it! She raved about the city and the food and the people… I’ve heard really good things from other people as well… so I consulted the map and figured out a route.

Flying to Portugal from the UK would only cost me about 30 GPB… and from there, I could make my way through the South of Spain – the Andalucia region, before heading up to catch my flight to Buenos Aires from Madrid. Commuting via car or bus or train would be easy… and I get to see more of the beauty of Spain that way too… So… YAY! Portugal – Booked! Andalucia – Booked! Madrid to Buenos Aires – BOOKED BOOKED BOOKED! And off I went!!!

LISBON

A few minutes after I arrived – I liked Lisbon already! It just had a very welcoming atmosphere... Everything seemed easy and accessible, especially for tourists. A lot of it also has got to do with the hostel I was staying in, which I mentioned in the previous post --- Home Lisbon Hostel. Seriously, I cannot rave about this hostel enough. It’s centrally located, beautiful, super affordable, and just the best hostel I’ve ever had the pleasure of encountering in all my travels. 

LOOK AND FEEL

The city itself is very charming, mainly because of the tiles. They’re called azulejos and they are found on both the exterior and interior of most houses and buildings. These things just make everything so colorful, that it’s such a pleasure walking around or getting lost. It also has a lot of uphill climbs, which make for spectacular views when you get to the top.

TASTY TREATS

It was probably not the best idea to be in Lisbon during my “No Carb January” diet, because there are pastries and pastry shops on every freaking corner! Lisbon --- Belem, in particular, is quite famous for these little treats called pastel de nata. It’s basically an egg tart pastry that sort of tastes like crème brulee to me… Crème brulee on a pastry cup! The original pasteis de nata, and the yummiest, can be found in Pasteis De Belem, a little restaurant in a town called Belem. Yes, I broke my diet just ONCE, to try ONE piece.

Tooootally worth it!

Belem, besides the treats, is actually a pretty good area to explore too. Check out the cathedral, the Belem Tower, and a few other monuments worth a snapshot!

NIGHT LIFE

So there’s this little area called, Bairro Alto. It’s Lisbon’s bohemian district and main hub for shopping and night life. It’s cute and really convenient because all the bars and restaurants are sort of clustered together. My new hostel friends and I had a really good time checking out the local scene… There are a lot of options, but we ended up in a teeny tiny little hole in the wall bar with live music, and we pretty much dominated the entire night with our inebriated states! Best night ever!

SINTRA

Visiting Sintra was my favorite bit of Lisbon… It’s a town about 45 minutes away from Lisbon’s center via the metro.  It’s a major tourist attraction because of all the palaces, castles, estates and beautiful buildings dotted around it! It’s so easy too… After the train, all you need to do is jump on a bus – The 434 or 435 bus takes you to all the major spots. It’s a hop-on hop-off deal too, so you either just pay 2.50 or 5 euro and you can use the bus as a shuttle that takes you from one attraction to the next!
It’s soooo beautiful….

HOME LISBON HOSTEL

I just can’t emphasize this enough. Home Lisbon Hostel was what made the trip for me. It seriously is the most amazing hostel I’ve ever visited. Great rooms, great price, amazing facilities and superb staff. Mama (the owners’ mother) cooks dinner for the guests every night (for an extra 10 euros). When she heard that I was on a “No Carb January” diet, she made me a special no-carb option meal! HOW amazing is this woman? I love her, and I love them. I don’t think this hostel could ever be beaten. So if you guys are ever headed to Lisbon anytime soon --- stay here. They are not paying me for this plug, by the way! This is honestly my opinion of the place, and I would go back there in a heartbeat. :)

NUTSHELL

Lisbon is a beautiful city. It’s so easy to be there. Everything is so accessible… It’s one of those places where you would welcome getting lost because every corner has something to offer. The food is great, transportation is efficient, and the attractions are spectacular. It’s the complete package, really! I would go back to Portugal to hang out at Home Lisbon Hostel, and maybe to also visit some of the other great cities over there, like Porto.

Next stop - Andalucia, Spain! :)

A Backpacker's Backpack Review: Osprey Farpoint 55

I’ve been asked a few times about how my backpack has held up, and how my packing faired on my travels so far. Before I do a review on my backpack, let me tell you about the results of my RTW PACKING thus far…

MY RTW TRIP PACKING RESULTS

I have to say, I did pretty well! Everything I packed came in pretty handy at some point… (You can check out my Packing List on my post HERE) And all the clothes I brought have been used, and some even worn out! I’ve thrown a couple pieces and bought a couple in return (mostly tank tops and underwear)… There may have been one or two items of clothing that I could have done without – which proves that no matter how insufficient you think you’re packing, you are always taking more than what you think you need! :)

I did have one regret though - and that is, I should have brought my ukulele with me. I never realized that I'd meet so many musicians on my travels through hostels and B&B's... so I ended up buying a cheap one... Just so I won't feel too guilty about wrecking it in the journey. It does the job though! And I have had such a great time making friends and jamming with people along the way! I've even managed to teach a couple people how to play, and inspired them to buy a uke of their own! :)

Music brings people together <3

I also happen to be lucky that my family sent me a “Winter Care Package” that contains clothes and shoes I’d need to survive for the winter in the UK. They sent it to my friend, Abby’s, house, where I’ve been staying for more than a month. When I leave, I won’t be taking any of them though… I’ll be taking only the stuff I came with, plus a couple other items I received for Christmas :)
Would I have survived without the Winter Care Package? Short answer - yes. But... I LOVE Winter Fashion. I couldn't help it... An opportunity presented itself... so... Why Not? :)

OK… on to the Backpack. How has it held up, I’ve been asked...

My answer?

Excellent.
Excellent, excellent!!!

I absolutely LOVE my Osprey Fairpoint 55! In my opinion, it is the best choice for female round the world backpackers!  Here’s why…

LIGHTWEIGHT

It’s true what they say… Pack light. It’s easier said than done, I know… but after traveling for more than 9 months, I’m soooo glad I didn’t purchase anything bigger than a 55L (they come in bigger sizes). The Fairpoint’s main pack is actually a lot lighter/smaller than a 55L, because the measurements include the 15L daypack. I know a 40L main pack may seem small, but trust me. Your body and your back will thank you for not going any bigger. See, the trick is, the smaller the pack, the less stuff you’re likely to bring because of the lack of space.

Happy Camper! With my backpacks in Mykonos. I use a binder clip to secure my Ukulele on
one of the straps of the day pack.

STURDY AS A MOUNTAIN GOAT

For realz. It’s a miracle this pack is still in one piece after all the times I’ve tried to cram the most ungodly items in there! There were moments when I thought, for sure, the zipper is going to give…. I’ve stuffed too much stuff in there at some point and I’ve popped a vein in my attempts to close it…
And still, she lives.  She’s relentless, this one. Just like her mother… (Me. In case it wasn’t obvious.)

EASE OF USE

One of the reasons why I went with the Farpoint over the Ariel (which is the other backpack I reviewed) is because of the front loading feature.

It just makes packing so much easier if you can see what you’re doing, as opposed to a top loading duffel bag type, which is what the Ariel was.
Another favorite feature is – how you can zip away the back panel, to make it easily manageable when you check them in on your flights! So nice and neat!

A BONUS CLIP

I kid you not… I’ve had this backpack for almost a year, and I never knew it had this particular feature. You can actually clip the day pack on the straps of the main pack (like in photo below), so you can carry the day pack in your front, “hands free”!

AMAZING! All this time, I’ve been strapping the day pack on my front – and it’s uncomfortable because it usually falls off, as I don’t have enough shoulder space. Now, I’m relieved of this issue!!! Yippee!!!

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Absolutely. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with this pack. The size, the features and the overall look and comfort is an epic WIN for us female backpackers. It is one of my best purchases… and I’m sure I’ll be using this baby for years and years to come…

If you have any questions about it, please feel free to leave them at the comments section below.

Happy travels, everyone!

The Ultimate RTW Packing List for Women

This is it! I am leaving for my Round The World trip tomorrow, and my first destination is - Australia! Packing for a trip like this is no easy feat. I had to do tremendous amounts of research, interview several other travel bloggers, and pick out a winning backpack. Believe it or not - I actually thought I could have done this thing with a big luggage in tow. Thank goodness for friendly travelers who knocked some sense into me.

OK. Everyone says - Pack Light. Take ONE WEEK'S WORTH of clothing, and just keep washing 'em every week. I don't know if I necessarily followed that rule because I got a little creative with reversible and multi-wear apparel, but I think I managed to pack only what is necessary. The REAL challenge here is packing for 4 different seasons. They say LAYERING is the key. I've never been a true layering master, but I'm up for the challenge!

Alright, here it is. My Ultimate Packing List! Let's start with...

OUTER WEAR

Eddie Bauer's Orange Weather Edge Shell Jacket - It's the outermost layer, can be used as a windbreaker, and the pockets have a "handwarming technology" - which sounds pretty cool. I'd like to believe it works.
REI Blue Thermal Fleece Jacket - For colder temperatures, to be worn inside the Shell Jacket if needed.
Icebreaker Merino Black Quantim Long Sleeve Zip Hood - My favorite! It's light but it keeps you warm in cold temperatures, and keeps the cool in in warmer temperatures! I have a feeling I'm going to wear this thing out.

LONG SLEEVES

Obviously I'm not very good at "staging"...

American Eagle Outfitters Plaid Top - To harness the hipster in me
Icebreaker Merino Black Lightweight Base Layer - It's Icebreaker's version of a thermal layer... cuter and lighter
Icebreaker Merino Blue Body Fit Long Sleeve - Which could also be a layer, but could be worn by itself. It will keep me warm just as it is if I wanted to go snowboarding or something. Pretty awesome
Random Blue Top from Random Store  - Just something extra to wear as a variation. I like stripes!

TANKS and TOPS

Four Tank Tops - Black, white, red and stripes
Two Shirts - One black, one white
Cardie - Thin and black

BOTTOMS

Champion Capri Reversible Leggings  - Pink and Black
Champion Long Reversible Flare Pants - Gray and Black
New York and Company Jeans 
Champion Skort - Both for sporty and sleeping purposes
Tennis Warehouse Reversible Skirt - Stripes and Navy Blue (reversed)
Cargo Skirt
Coral Skirt

DRESSES

Magic Skirt - The one you can wear 100 different ways. I am also bringing the paper guide it came with.

Sun Dress
Strappy Dres

FOOTWEAR

About the boots - let me explain. (I have a feeling other pro-travelers took one look at it and started screaming - "NNNoooooo!!!")
It doesn't seem very practical to bring these TALL boots but hear me out. First of all - see how small they fold? They fold down to the size of a normal shoe. They're very soft and easy to pack. They are also ADJUSTABLE... I can change the length of these boots depending on the weather. ALSO - they are very old and very cheap... when the time comes for me to ditch them for a more practical pair, I won't have a problem tossing 'em out. :)

K Swiss Vertical Tubes Recovery Shoes - will function as my everyday running/walking/comfy shoes
Foldable Flats from Payless
Dual Purpose Flip Flop Sandals  - I can take out the back straps to use them as normal flops...

ALL CLOTHES

This is pretty much all the clothes I'm taking with me, plus a scarf I didn't have photo of. THATS IT! That's what I'm going to wear for this whole trip!

PACKING THEM UP

To make them all fit into my backpack, I resorted to the pure genius of packing cubes and compression sacks.

Basically, all the clothes from the previous photo are all condensed into these two. The Sea to Summit Large Compression Sack is an amazing little gadget that practically squished everything into that little ball. BTW I'm not bringing that red shoe. That's only there so you can see the sizes. :)

OK so that compression bag on the right contains my orange Shell, the Fleece and my jeans. It's from Eagle Creek, and you can push all the air out of it to compress the whole bag to make it flat! No need for a vacuum cleaner! :)

All the shoes including the boots fit inside one large Eagle Creek Packing Cube (except for the ones I'm wearing to the airport)

OTHER STUFF

In a Medium Eagle Creek Packing Cube (shown above), I packed the following:

8 pieces of underwear
2 Bra's
1 Sportsbra
1 Beanie
1 Bikini
1 pair of tights
3 pairs of socks (2 normal sized, one pair of foot socks)

In the White Eagle Creek soft packing cube, you will find:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Vitamins
Facial Wipes
Small Absorbent Towel
Cotton Buds
Toothpaste (prescription)
Sunblock
Hooded Rain Poncho
Rubber Doorstop (follow this link to find out why)
Sewing Kit (travel size with tons of safety pins)
Small Insect Repellent

This is what it looks like inside my Osprey Farpoint 55 Backpack

They fit!! Phew!

Moving on...

These are the things I'm going to pack into my Daypack

Inside the Blue Medium sized Eagle Creek Packing Cube
Zoom Lens
Portable External Hard Drive
Extra TSA Locks
Passport Photos
Chargers
Kirkland International Travel Adapter
Safety Whistle (which is also a compass and a thermometer)
Tiny flashlight
Tiny Travel Umbrella
4 extra SD Memory Cards
Duct Tape

The small white Eagle Creek Packing Cube on top is my little first aid kit. I won't go into detail as to which meds I'm going to bring because I am such an anomaly - I need to bring a lot of random ones.

The clear envelope is where I'm going to keep all my travel documents, itineraries, etc.

The small Eagle Creek Packing Cube on the right is my toiletry kit (toothbrush, floss, Diva Cup, etc)

I'm also bringing a small travel journal and a tiny 2013 planner.

Others not shown in the photo:
My trusty Olympus PEN EPL1 Camera
My Asus 11.6 Ultrabook
My Ipad Mini
My Ipod Touch
My Samsung Galaxy SII
Small Make-up kit

This is all of them packed up and ready...

Yippee!

The big back pack, I will have to check in. The detachable day pack (which can be zipped into the big pack) is what I will be carrying.
That thing on the bottom is my Runnur Pack - The cargo strap I had my friend, Graphic Designer Hannah Javelosa, design. Here's the close up, and what it looks like when put on!

This is going to function as my purse! The strap has a compartment for everything! From money, to your phone, to a water bottle! And Hannah did a WONDERFUL job on the design!!! (click on image to enlarge)

And there we have it! My ultimate RTW packing list! I don't know if I did it the way I'm supposed to, or if I missed out on travel essentials... but I did my research well... no two lists are exactly the same. You pack what you need for the kind of trip you're taking... and for what I'm about to do - I think this is as good a list as it gets. :)

OK. This is it! I'm coming for you, World!

Australia - I'll see you tomorrow!

******
Hi There! Have we met before? You look familiar! Those shoes look great on you, by the way! I’m Eartha and I recently decided to quit my job to travel the worrrrld! Join me in my adventures by checking back on my blog, and leaving me a comment or two!

• Subscribe to my blog and get updated every time I post here!
• Add me to your feed reader here!
• Wanna be Facebook friends? Like my page here!
• Are you as epigramatic as I am? Tweet me @earth2eartha
• Do you have cool photos on Instagram? Check mine out too @earth2eartha
• Or if you want to leave me a message or a limerick, email me here!

Come and visit me again soon! :)

*****