Last week, I announced here I would be traveling to South America on my own very soon. Today, I am talking a bit more about this trip and what made me to do it.
It is a post about feelings, fears and desires. So get ready for an introspection ride.
Why did I decide to travel by myself to South America?
People, I did not waked up and decided to travel the world. No no no… Traveling has been one of my biggest passions since I was child. I remember checking world maps almost everyday, knowing the capital cities as none of my friends, dreaming about getting in a plan to visit other countries. I was meant to be a traveler and I knew that. When I did my first trip, someone told me, “This is just the beginning” and she was SO RIGHT. Since then, I have not stopped. So now at 24, I felt I needed more than just living abroad and visiting European capitals. I needed something different: more challenging, more enthusiastic, more dangerous… I needed South America on my own!
Why South America?
Brazil has always been one of my MUST VISIT countries. I grew up watching the amazing Brazilians beaches on television, listening the funny Portuguese accent and wondering the easy lifestyle that characterizes the Brazilians.
Having part of my family living in Brazil has also connected me to the country. BUT the desire to visit the country and the South America region became stronger in 2012 while doing my internship in Paris. At the time, I was a communication assistant in charge of the Brazilian market and dealing with Argentines, Chileans everyday. The good vibes, the happy and positive people – let’s face it… People in Europe are pretty much negative and bored of their life. – made me wanted to know the region.
Back then, I wanted to leave everything and travel around but I have neither the money and nor the courage to do it.
The next 3 years were difficult. I was looking for a stable life in Paris in the Marketing field. When I finally got my stability, I got bored of my parisian life and I really start thinking about leaving. Everything turned real this year when I finally quitted my job and left Paris for Good (HERE a funny post I wrote about Paris). So I become finally free to travel to my dream destination.
Why by myself?
For very long time I did not want to travel alone. I have done it and it can be a lot of fun BUT … I wanted to share my experience with someone else this time. I really wanted!
- I asked some of my close friends if they would be available to do it with me. As I expected none was leaving his/her job to travel the globe. Too bad!! Some of them told me they could join me in some parts of the trip. Well, not everything was lost, I thought.
- I thought I could travel with my lover but I did not have one. ANYWAY, I was pretty sure I would find one before leaving (I usually work pretty hard on something I wanted ahahah)… It turns out love stuff does not really work like that. Well, maybe next time.
- I realized my South America trip was MY DREAM, MY TRIP, MY DESIRE so I had to do it on my own. I could not ask someone else to come and live the dream that was not his/hers. And after that I finally booked my trip to Brazil.
Why for such a long period?
After some time working I felt I needed a break from my routine. I was not very happy with my job and, although I love Paris, I wanted to leave the city. I was lost and I did not know what I wanted. I was not happy as I used to be and I thought it was the right time to do my gap year. A year to spoil myself. A year to find myself. A year to do what I love the most: reading, writing, traveling, exercising, talking, laughing, loving, going out and studying…
So I broke down my stable life and start planning this crazy trip to the South.
Thoughts of a solo traveler girl
And you? What motivated you to travel?
Have you traveled alone? Why not?
Hope this post inspires you to take risks and travel the world.
Beijinho,
Daniela
