Wünderlust
Wün-der-lust: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel aboutLast week, my peeps and I were discussing the idea of travelling and especially travelling by yourself. What is it that drives us to explore beyond our borders? And in some cases, how is it that sometimes, it simply takes over your life? The thrill of adventure, discovering new experiences, creating new memories. Is this what propells us to leap from being an armchair traveller, to really packing your bags and heading off. For those individuals who have the time and the means to travel (hats off to you), would it always constitute travelling with a partner? Does wünderlust make you a more rounded person?One of my all-time favourite trips, was one made on my own.Please dont misinterpret, I wasn't running away, or needing to 'find myself', it was simply a conscious decision that the destination I was intending for, was purely meant just for me. It was two weeks of pure bliss, it was in school term, which meant no kids, the airfare price was great and the timing was to co-incide with an event I just had to attend.One of my BFF's is also a seasoned traveller. Although her motivations are generally centred around her love of festivals, she still endevours to jet off guilt free to fulfill her own needs. And good on her. (Guilt is such a wasted emotion). My sister, she too, will jet off at a very-well-planned-non-moment to satisfy her photographic creativity, sans husband and child, but hey, she gets great photos out of it!When I reminise, I remember the talk free flight, taking up a well-earned exit row, the lingering at the shops, the dining alone, watching people watching me. You see I'm that woman sitting alone at the window with a book or notpad in hand, deciding which gourmet meal to choose from the hatted restaurant. Im the woman squealing with delight taking up the whole bed in the very luxurious city hotel, Im the woman staring out the window of the train with a wide grin from ear to ear. And Im a better gal for it. Better mother, better wife.There are so many of my friends who say "I wish I had the balls to do it." Just do it I say, you'll get to know yourself a whole lot better for it.5 great things about travelling on your own
You'll most probably get the desired upgrade
You can eat where, what and whenever you like
The smaller hotels rooms ususally have the best view
You'll come home stress free
You'll always have a great dinner-story to tell
Note on image. This pic was taken circa 1968-ish. The author of this image took it from the cruise liner she was onboard and it was the people left behind who were the focus of the photo. Looks different from the other perspective, right?#cruise ship #1960s #reflection #solo travel #travelling solo