Travel is hard. It can be frustrating. It can be arduous. It can be lonely.
But you know what the hardest part of solo travel is? The fact that you’re stuck taking selfies the entire time. Or you learn a hell of a lot about your self-timer on your iPhone. You also get really damn good at schlepping bags around. Packing light? You’re a pro. Going to the restroom in the airport with two bags? Been there, done that. Successfully. Can you carry three bags plus groceries across town? I can. I hate it, but I can. So, here are the downsides of solo travel….
*a humourous look into the downsides of solo travel. The featured photo was taken with my iPhone’s self-timer. Bet you thought I was joking, right?
No one to take a cute picture of you standing on a cliff edge staring into the sunset/mountaintop/seaside with the surf surrounding you in your cute dress.
We’ve all seen these pictures. But do you know how bloody hard it is to get that perfect shot when you have to figure out where to set your camera for the right angle for a great shot? To ensure that it’s not going to topple over in the wind, get hit with surf spray, fall into a puddle, whatever? You have to check the viewfinder several times to make sure its all in focus, and then hit the shutter button… and then you have to run up to where you want to stand and pose quickly, all in ten seconds time. If the picture doesn’t turn out, you do it all over again. I did this at Mt. Cook and you want to know what I overheard? This woman suggested to her husband/bf that he take my photo, and he actually said, “nah, it’ll be entertaining to watch her try this.” So, for all those solo female travellers, F* off. I did it, and you can too. Of course, it’s better if you have a partner.
No one to take you by the hand and lead you down a cobblestone street at dusk, the fairy lights twinkling above you, all so you can take a photo of their hand as they turn back to smile winningly at you.
{image from Murad Osmann/Instagram}
I kind of hate these photos, but you have to admit they are cute. They’re charming, all lovey-dovey and happy. They don’t show you the other side of it though (although the video from the couple that started it all does a very good job) and I bet it’s bloody hard to find the perfect backdrop for a photo like this. My take on it just doesn’t look the same…
No one to drag your sleepy ass out of bed for a 5am sunrise hike.
I would love a person to drag me out of bed at 5am for a sunrise hike. I don’t think I’ve ever even been on a sunrise hike, so this would top my list of “perfect date places” (hint hint) especially if said date brought along a breakfast snack. *nomnomnom*
No shoulder to sleep on during a long bus trip.
I don’t sleep much on public transport, especially buses or trains, but if you do want to nod off, you can’t really do it on the stranger next to you (people do though, weirdos). This is helpful if you have a long day of travel on a sketchy bus. Partners rock for this sort of thing.
No one to watch your seven pieces of luggage at the train station while you go and pee. No, this will take you a half an hour and your sanity.
See above statement. I despise nothing more than being in an airport alone with two carry on bags that weigh more than my body weight combined & are full of expensive camera and computer gear. They bang around on the bathroom doors and then I have to set them on the dirty ground?! Gross. It’s much easier to travel with someone who will watch your shtuff.
Alright solo travellers… weigh in. What’s your worst solo travel moment? Travellers with partners… do you prefer this? Give us your best travel memories in the comments below!
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