It’s just Argentina and me
This is just like the momma bird kicking the baby bird out of the nest and hoping it can fly. For the very first time on my trip, I’m actually alone. Not on my way to meet up with a friend, not traveling with one travel buddy or another, not heading to volunteer somewhere. Just me, on my own (cue Les Miserables soundtrack here). What I’ve discovered in Northern Argentina is that, like everything else in life, traveling by yourself has its ups and downs.
Before I left to travel, and even during my travels, people have repeatedly said similar things when they find out I’m traveling by myself. These statements and questions usually involve sentiments regarding bravery, loneliness, jealousy, excitement, and a declaration that they themselves don’t think they would be able to travel alone. Good thing I’m here to address these issues for the record, and quell any worries for those thinking of traveling solo.
Let me begin with the idea of bravery. Maybe it’s just me, and maybe I don’t think things through fully, but I don’t feel like I’m any braver than the next person. That’s not to say that I am completely fearless, or unaware of my surroundings, merely that I don’t let apprehension paralyze me. There are definitely places I won’t feel comfortable going alone, and places people have warned me to avoid as a solo traveler, but I have yet to come upon those places. Especially in Northern Argentina. Of all the countries I have been to so far in South America, Argentina is by far the easiest to figure out and deal with. Maybe this is because it feels highly westernized, has paved roads, toilet seats and toilet paper in the washrooms, or has a transportation system that actually does what it says it will, without my needing to be concerned that the bus will fall apart or we will head to a different destination without being informed. Whatever the case, Argentina has not made me feel like being alone requires bravery. In fact, it feels so much like home that I’m getting a little too comfortable, and I’m almost missing the crazy adventures that come from things not going so smoothly. (I know I just jinxed myself. Whatever.)
The next major qualm that people seem to have with traveling solo is the loneliness. This one is a little more complicated to address. I guess a lot of it has to do with your personality. I happen to be someone who enjoys being with other people, but also really enjoys being by myself. As can be seen by the fact that I’m about four months in to my travel, and am alone for the very first time, that you aren’t as alone as you think you will be. Sure, sometimes I end up alone for a few days, in hostels with no one to hang out or speak to, and it gets a little lonely after a while (it also feels weird to forget what your voice sounds like when speaking English), but then something changes and I can’t get a moment to myself, even if I want it. This dichotomy can be illustrated by the difference in experience between Buenos Aires and Mendoza. I spent only a day in Buenos Aires, yet said nothing but a few words in Spanish when I bought my bus ticket out of the city. By then end of the day (which I did in fact thoroughly enjoy) I had only spoken a few sentences to various people, and they were all in Spanish. This was definitely a day that some might call lonely, though I found relaxing. Then I got to Mendoza, where I stayed in a great hostel (Punto Urbano for those of you heading that way) with lots of great people. I had planned on spending my time in Mendoza relaxing in parks, reading books and playing ukelele. Instead I did almost no reading, played next to no ukelele, and spent every moment hanging out with a variety of people. Definitely not what I call lonely. So clearly loneliness comes and goes when you travel by yourself, but there are so many other travellers out there, it is hard to be lonely for long.
One of the biggest things I have found about traveling solo that people don’t seem to think of is the freedom. Sure, it’s convenient to have someone with you so they can watch your bag while you go to the washroom, or play cards with you while you wait for a bus, but you sacrifice a certain amount of freedom that way. When I travel by myself, I make the decisions that are best for me, without feeling like I’m affecting someone else’s plans. I do what works best for me, without second guessing my decisions. I can even change my mind as I’m on my way to a destination, and go somewhere else instead. Just look at my travels through Northern Argentina. Everyone I know has loved Buenos Aires and spent ages there. I, on the other hand, have very little interest in the things that Buenos Aires has to offer, and decided to spend only a day there doing what was of interest to me. I had a wonderful time, and then I left, and that was perfect for me. Had I been with anyone else, I may have felt obliged to stay for a few days. Instead, I headed to Mendoza. I got there and liked Mendoza so much, that I stayed for a week doing almost nothing, because that’s exactly what I wanted to do. I didn’t feel bad that I didn’t do any of the organized tours, and enjoyed the wine tour a few of us did more because I wanted to do it, but didn’t feel obliged to do it.
I guess what I’m getting at is that I’ve enjoyed traveling by myself. I’ve enjoyed that it has allowed me to join up with people I meet along the way, and I like that it has allowed me to have time by myself. In any case, new travel buddy or keeping at it alone, I’m excited for whatever my travels bring to me.
