Solo Travelling? Why Not!

_{Joining the Pride Parade @ Helsinki, Finland}

The idea didn’t pop up just like that. I have heard how my ex-classmate in the University did it. He even hitch-hiked, which I have never imagined doing. But, it is another thing. One can travel alone in a lot of ways, and hitch-hiking is just one of many methods for it. So, why travel solo? Why not. I agree that as a woman, solo travelling is arguably riskier in comparison to when you are a man. But, let’s not go there. As a woman myself, I don’t like the idea of being limited to what I can do, for example don’t travel alone when you are a woman. Why limit yourself. Accidents could happen when you travel regardless if you are a man or a woman, if you are in the group or alone. My point is you have to be aware, always, when you are travelling.

But, the main reason that I travelled solo was something simpler. It was because I had some free days from my work that needed to be taken. Living in Germany, it is in the rule that you have to take your vacation. But, nobody was free at that moment. Dave had to work, my friends had to work, it was only me. Travelling is something that I have always loved. Therefore, I decided to just go, wander alone for nine days to visit Tam and Akseli, my friends from my internship in Seville. After doing some planning for Helsinki, where I will meet them both, I looked at the maps and decided to go visit the Baltic countries as well, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

How did it feel and did I hesitate? Planning played a really important role before the solo travelling officially started. I need to be sure that every important detail is checked, e.g. my tickets, hostel booking documents, passport and ID, money (liquid or cash), powerbank and charger, downloaded maps, as well as clothes. Everything must be on point because when you are travelling alone, you are dependent on yourself. After planning is done, then you can move on to something more relaxing like what you want to explore on your travelling days.

I landed in Helsinki, but before I had to do a flight transfer at Riga. It was quite a hassle since I didn’t know that Riga is one hour faster than Germany. I thought that I had an hour and 10 minutes for the flight transfer, but I actually only had 10 minutes. Luckily, I heard the announcement and decided to ask an old lady that I saw on my flight before for reassurance. She explained this situation and I hurried to the boarding room. I didn’t miss the flight. Hurrah! I landed at Helsinki, safe and sound, and took the metro to the central station, which I would be picked up by Akseli since Tam had to work ‘til evening. During the ride, I was sitting alone ‘tl at some point, a man came and sat across me. Seeing my suitcase, he asked me, generally at first but too personal in the end that I wasn’t feeling comfortable. Use your instinct and never share personal infos like address and your situation, especially when you are travelling alone to a stranger.

Akseli was there! He looked different, with a beard, chain necklace and everything, I was surprised. But it was a really good feeling to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar land. We hugged and went to Tam’s. Tam worked at a Vietnamese Restaurant. I got my veggie Bahn Mi just as I arrived. We went back to his place and had a sleepover convos how time flies and where it took us. The days at Helsinki passed, and I had to say goodbye and continued my trip to Tallinn, Estonia. I was glad to be able to participate in the biggest pride parade in the world as well as seeing the folklore dance and ceremony of the 100th Independence Day of Estonia in Helsinki. I took the early bus and went to the harbour. You read right, I took a ferry from Helsinki to Estonia. It was a relaxing ride, and my solo journey had officially begun. It wasn’t as awkward as I expected it to be. When you have your books, time passes by just like that.

_{with Tam & Akseli @ Sibelius Monument}

I arrived at Tallinn and went to my hostel which was located a bit hiding in the corner. Since I chose an only female room, I saw only female stuff when I opened the door. In the evening, we talked to each other and it was cool to see how all of them are the fellow solo female travellers as well. We talked about our journey and I met Becky. Becky is awesome, she travelled alone from Australia to Europe in those past three months. Little that we knew that we would be roomies again. When I was alone at Tallinn, I strolled around and joined the local town. Old town always amazes me and I just loved it. People were nice, I heard German a lot. I even shared a table with an old couple from Germany in a cafe for mid snack since the place was full. They didn’t expect me to speak German and they were quite worried in the beginning because they thought I was quite young to travel alone :’)

After my Tallinn days, I took the bus to Riga. I met Becky again at night. She was my roomie. We decided to stroll together on our second day and enjoyed the local food together in a local restaurant. However, not everything was smooth. The lady that slept next to me, near by the window, didn’t want to close the window when it was time to sleep. It was summer and stuff, but it was loud out there. It disturbed me, so I asked her nicely whether she speaks English, because I didn’t want to assume. She replied me cynical in an offensive tone, ‘’Of course, I’m travelling so I speak English.’’ Chill lady. So I asked her for a favour and she just declined. Didn’t want to waste my energy, I just let it slip. I need to focus to rest before my trip to Vilnius tomorrow.

_{Enjoying Local Gastronomie at Local Eatery with Becky @ Riga, Latvia}

I said goodbye to Becky. She continued her trip to Ukraine and me to Lithuania. I took the bus and in just a few hours I arrived! Lithuania reminded me of Poland. I went around to the famous museum of USSR ex-prisons. It was remarkable to see how the world is shaped from history. I strolled around, this time, literally alone. It was amazing how the perspective of holiday can change when you are alone, how you spend your time and how you enjoy it. I do have today that I loved the feeling of being together when I eat. I kinda missed it when I ate alone. But, it was a total freedom on how you explore when you are alone.

Market Square, Old Town @ Tallinn, Estonia

_{Old Town @ Riga, Latvia}

It is indeed a luxury when you wander around with your own phase and term. Want to check out the market square that sells a lot of interesting stuff a bit longer? No problem! Interested in taking the cooking class for beginners at the local restaurant in the corner of the old town? Why not! Feeling social and wanting to join the travelling gals group at your hostel that you met at breakfast? Sure, talk to them! You can decide what and how you want to seize your days in your travels without having to ask and consider other’s preferences. So, are you now interested in travelling solo as well?