Travel's better the first time around and solo travel brings you a lot of firsts

Last year around this time I wrote about holiday markets around the world. The post was prompted by a visit to Washington, D.C.'s holiday market.

The other day, I went back to the D.C. market. I have to admit, the second time was not as exciting.

That's the thing about travel for me. I always want to see something new. I want to go to a city or country I haven't been to rather than one I've already visited. Even if there's plenty left to see in places I've been.

Which is probably why I'm often a solo traveler. I only have so many travel days and so much money to spend. And, to get right down to it, only so many healthy years for traveling. (I don't know that number but I know it's not forever.)

So I want each experience to have great potential for discovery and not be too much of a repeat.

If I had to find a travel companion for every trip, I'd need to find someone who wants to go where I want to go and travel the way I want to travel. Good luck with that.

This winter, I have an opportunity to go on an inexpensive trip to Thailand with my travel writers' group. But I've been to Thailand.

I loved it and I highly recommend it. But it's a long way to go to see many of the things I've already seen. Don't get me wrong. I think I would thoroughly enjoy myself.

But such a trip also would alter wonderful memories I already have and it would take time and money from a more special trip to someplace new.

So I'm going to pass and dream on about China, or Japan, or some other country I haven't been. This is a choice I can make only because I'm willing to travel solo to live my travel dreams.

On the other hand, I have relatives who are going to Hawaii to join friends who planned the trip. They've already been to Hawaii. They'd have preferred the destination were somewhere else. But it's their choice to join their friends and that works for them.

But if you're deterred from taking a dream trip because you don't have friends going where you want to go, don't pass up the dream simply because you won't go solo.

For instance, say you want to photograph wildebeest in Africa. What are the chances of finding someone who also wants to do that? At the same time you do? Who has enough money to join you?

Now, say friends are heading to Omaha and inviting you to join them. Would that satisfy the urge you have to commune with these crazy beasts and snap away?

Rhetorical question. But I think you know the answer.

Sure Omaha with friends could be a blast. But if it means never taking your safari...I give it a thumbs down.

Photos: Ellen Perlman. Booths at Washington, D.C.'s holiday market

 

Comments

[Nomadic Matt]

Everyone should travel solo. I never let the fact people don't want to come with me hold me up. I'd rather experience it alone than not experience it at all.

[Ellen]

Exactly!