"When you head out to face the world, prepare to feel a mixture of
emotions. You will experience fear, freedom, loneliness, adrenaline,
and glee. There will be times when you can’t figure things out. You
will most likely make a few mistakes.
You will probably miss a bus or
train or end up lost, confused, alone and stressed.
The first thing to do is take a deep breath and act rationally. You
are the only one responsible for yourself while backpacking. This is a
huge maturing process, and although it is difficult, it is good.
There were several times I felt extremely depressed while traveling.
I felt lonely, insignificant, and small. I would lie in my hostel bed
and wonder why I chose to travel when I hate it sometimes.
And then I would go outside, and everything would change.
The sun shines, the mountains
scream, and everything is unbelievably beautiful
because it is all so
unfamiliar. Your experience while traveling depends on your attitude
towards it and your ability to be rational when your emotions attempt to take control.
Rest on your new traveling
buddies for support, but depend on yourself to make the most of your
trip.
You have been given an opportunity that most people only dream
about.
One of the most difficult parts of traveling alone is suffering
through a lack of physical comfort. When you make a friend somewhere,
you will learn to hug them hard and appreciate the people drift in and out of your life.
Don’t worry about what people back home might say about your trip:
do what you want! If you want to spend five months sitting on the beach
and staring at the ocean, do it. This is your vacation, your life—and you need to do whatever it is that will make you happy.
And remember, things could always be worse. One day you will look
back on all of your misfortunes and laugh. Trust me. One day soon, it
will be just another good story to tell."
