Aug-2014
Traveling solo from the heart
What has gotten into me? A young woman with butterflies in her stomach traveling the world on her own. Sounds like something with way too many risks, right? However, I decided to do it, because I wanted to. I was only 22 years old and ready for a challenge.
A little bit more than over a year ago, I decided I was ready to leave. Again. I browsed the web for a cheap ticket to bring me somewhere Latin; Brazil, Mexico, perhaps Argentina? – after a couple of minutes I found my next challenge. I was going to spend 200 days in the entire continent of Latin-America, and I was going to do it all… alone – just me, myself and I. With only a couple of months left to organize myself and tell everyone what my new plans were the challenge had started.
A few months before my departure date I basically had all the necessary things sorted out, but I still had to figure out how I would travel from point A to B, how I would finance myself, where I would stay and how long I could stay somewhere before I’d leave for the next destination.
Then it hits you. You’re leaving – only one month left! I get completely overwhelmed by the excitement of the entire dream that I am going to realize. However, some things still need to be done and arranged and it takes over pretty much all of my spare time. I still need to buy some of those super good, handy and stupidly expensive travel tank tops that will never smell bad, organize that someone will take care of my pets, make sure I’ll have all the necessary electronics to captivate those great travel moments, select which shoes I want to carry with me, agree to disagree with my friends on my planning for the next couple of months – since people are having babies and getting married – and I really still need to arrange a place to stay for my first week abroad.
Besides that, where am I going after the first week? Should I organize some kind of travel planning, so that people can follow me while I am away? Which actually are my potential destinations? I began researching – Should I visit the UNESCO part of Uruguay? How about a trip to the Carnaval in Brazil? After all I would love to see that extreme nature in Patagonia.
Time is flying and it’s time to explain the exciting and adventurous new plans to your people. Luckily I don’t have to convince my friends and family that everything is going to be alright, since they know I will do just fine on my own – they know me as an independent young woman, also abroad in a new and foreign country with different norms and values. However, some never understand the entire leaving part; ‘are you running away missy?’ and I just answer with a smile, knowing they don’t get it. At all. The idea of a young blond European woman in Latin-America just didn’t sit to well with some of my friends and family. Understandable with the news they watch and read though.
Then it’s time to board.
I set foot on the plane, thinking on how crappy I just felt 90 minutes ago because of having to say goodbye to someone I do not want to miss that long at all, while feeling a sense of freedom as I settle in for the long-haul that’s about to come.
As I set foot out that plane into a new country a different feeling teases my heartbeat. I am here. I have arrived – and I am doing this on my own. I walk towards the luggage claim with a confused feeling. I feel happy to have all these new exciting things awaiting me, but how come I feel comfortable while I don’t know this place at all? There must be something wrong with me. It’s definitely the jet-lag – well, maybe it’s not. I just probably really enjoy to set foot on new land and create a new kind of home.
I want to leave the airport with my backpack strapped around my waist but leave looking for my taxi knowing my luggage is still left in London Heathrow. The airline did something wrong and I have to wait another day or two for my things to reach the hostel in Buenos Aires. Not that lucky me, since I only have one pair of long jeans and a shirt which I am wearing and no shorts (while it is over 30 degrees Celsius over here) and basically have just a toothbrush and a laptop in my carry-on luggage. Anyhow, I know I will cope. I force myself into the first bar I see near the hostel for a beer to fight the time difference and to see how the locals respond to my presence.
Everything is wonderful. It is all new, exciting, interesting, friendly and inspirational. There are many new faces and new places and I am totally loving it, even though over here no one knows me. Not yet, that is.
After a while of being on the road alone I realize that all I do when I am willing to reflect on my day is to write an article for my blog, upload a Facebook status, send my boyfriend a text and my dad an e-mail. I can sometimes only fall asleep with a quick response wishing me sweet dreams. Though, tomorrow anyway I will be filled again with new exploration adrenaline.
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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♡ home is where the hart is 🙂 love your story !
Thanks babe! Definitely have my heart near home 😉