We Are The World
Solo traveling is total freedom. Freedom to interact with who you want, to go where you want, to learn the language you want. If you get isolated, you can make new friends and almost decide where they’re from. You can go to expat meetups or coffee shops, or you can do what I like to do: dive straight into local culture by yourself and ask as many questions as you can, learning as much as possible.
Every day, I get to choose my own adventure. Sometimes my days are boring because it’s only me. Other days, I can decide on a unique adventure I really want to do. I can explore on my own, walk into shops, and never know what reaction I’m going to get. To some, I’m an inconvenience; to others, they are very curious.
On my last day in Siem Reap, I ate frog and rice. A couple came in with their baby, and they asked, “Are you here solo?” I said yes. They looked rather impressed. I can say hello and thank you kindly and politely, and ask, “How much?” — that’s enough while I keep learning more.
I have Laos friends in Vang Vieng, some in Vientiane, some in Pakse, and now even in Cambodia because I can speak both Cambodian and Lao. My Laos-born Cambodian friend I can speak to in both languages, and I find her super cute. In Laos, I met a South African friend, and when I came to Phnom Penh, she invited me over for a swim in her pool and cooked me dinner.
Over time, I’m slowly building a web of connection across Southeast Asia. If I had someone with me this whole time, they would mostly be a hindrance — maybe annoying to the locals or lazy with language. That’s why I go alone: to be present and build bridges around the world. Because, as my Laos friend Kylie would say, “We Are The World.” Yes, we are the world.