It has been 12 days since I arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal. It has been 13 days since embarking on my first ever solo adventure. I have been living with a family in their home, in a rural neighbourhood. They are hosting me through the Workaway program-cultural exchange as well as helping with daily chores in the house and their little farm, in exchange for room and board. A couple days after my arrival, a girl from Germany and a girl from Mexico arrived. The three of us have really made a connection! We have been sharing a room, so there have been many early morning and late night chats, loads of laughter, and heart-to-heart chats.
One of the chats has really shed somelight on my experience, emotions, and knowledge gained from traveling alone thus far. I have been told numerous times that as you travel you met like-minded people and that there is something everyone shares that you can only get from solo traveling. That everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. I kind of had an idea, but didn’t fully get it until now! There are no words to explain it, it is just a feeling that hits, an incredible feeling that I will forever carry with me, even when my travel days come to an end!
An through the many other chats, I look back at the several days together, it really has been one of the most amazing experiences, especially hanging with two 20 somethings! I shared how proud I was of them, the admiration I have for them for braving the big wide world alone in their early 20s. I thought how interesting it has been to observe and talk to them from this completely different perspective! Looking back on my life: the “normal” life of school, career, marraige, house, children…and at 50 years old, now just begun traveling the world! The experiences and knowledge aquired so far, I use to reflect back on my life, how I can change my old beliefs and now how I can apply it to my new self-discovery/reinventing myself journey. And them, the flip side…they are really just beginning life and already experiencing so much of the world out there. What they will see, experience, and learn will pave the way for their journey and decisions made for their furture adult life. Although we are at the oppposite stages of life, I have recognized, there is no wrong or right way-it’s exciting, beneficial and just the fact that we are doing it that matters!!
“People come into our lives when we need them to. Our paths crossed for a reason. A need was met. Some will stay longer than others, but all should be embraced.”
-Joseph Andus
I really belive that we three were destined to met up, as we three are all new to solo travel. And moreover, to share our stories, with real genuine and authentic hearts-we didn’t hold back; we shared stories, dreams, fears, laughter, and tears! Although our time together is coming to an end, I will forever be grateful for Dani and Dianna, for being a big part of my journey, the beginning part of my solo journey in Nepal <3
*picture captured in Kathmandu, Nepal