Why I Love Traveling Solo

Exploring the harbor of Kleinbaai with my fellow White Shark Projects volunteers 

Springbokkies in Phalaborwa!!! 

            It’s happening again. For the third year in a row, when I tell people about my next adventure, one common response I get is, “You’re going to meet the love of your life while you’re out there, and you won’t have to travel alone anymore!” There was once a time when this prediction was kind of cute, but now it’s honestly just annoying. So, without further ado, let me make something very clear: traveling solo isn’t a last resort for me. It’s not because my friends and family all have other things to do. Traveling solo is a choice that I first made about two years ago when I went to work up in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. That was one of the best decisions of my life, hands down. I absolutely love traveling solo, and it’s an experience that I’d recommend to anyone. So, to make that point loud and clear, here’s a list of a few things I love about solo travel.

1. Traveling solo forces you out of your comfort zone.

            As one of my favorite quotes says, life begins where your comfort zone ends. Whether it was when I was finding my way around the huge, unfamiliar Johannesburg airport, spending my first night in Africa sleeping in a room with seven strangers at my hostel, or one of the many other experiences I’ve had, solo travel shoves you far out of your comfort zone so quickly it’ll make you head spin- and that’s one of my favorite parts of it. As a side note of this, I’ve definitely met more people on my solo travel adventures than I would’ve if I’d been traveling with people I already knew. At my hostel in Cape Town during the free day I had in between my projects, I sat in one of the common rooms typing out a blog post and watched two guys with British accents begin to play a round of pool on one of the tables. When I was done writing, I closed my laptop, stood up, and said, “I call playing the winner.” They smiled at me and accepted that challenge. By the end of the day we’d become great friends.

2. Solo travel builds self-confidence.

            I remember the feeling, at the Johannesburg airport, after zipping my way between gates, checking my bag, and finally sitting down to wait for my flight to Cape Town, all after not having slept in about thirty hours. I sat there at the gate, let out a sigh of relief, and thought to myself, that really wasn’t so hard. Or on one of my first full days living in the dorm rooms up in the park in Wyoming, I remember walking around outside and seeing a group of guys playing basketball on one of the courts, with some other guys sitting beside it watching. My first thought was, ‘I don’t know any of them’. My second thought was, ‘let’s change that’. Then, with a level of confidence I didn’t know I had, I walked over, sat down beside those guys, and struck up a conversation. How’d they react? By making room for me, offering me a beer, and before long I’d learned all their names, departments they were working in, where they were from, and more. Nearly two years later, I’m still in touch with most of them, and we love keeping up to date on each other’s crazy adventures. When traveling solo, I don’t have friends or family to help guide me around- it’s all up to me. Because of that, I’ve learned that I’m capable of a lot more than I originally knew, and it’s taught me to be a more confident person.

3. Solo travel teaches you to be your own best friend.

            It seems like so many people I talk to shy away from solo travel because they’re afraid of being lonely, or aren’t comfortable with just their own company. First of all, just for the record, alone and lonely aren’t at all the same thing. The past two summers I’ve gotten better at just loving my own company. My adventures have taught me not to be afraid of being alone, and that life can be very fulfilling with or without a travel companion.

4. When traveling solo, I’m the boss.

            Between my time at White Shark Projects and CARE Baboon Sanctuary, I had a day off in my hostel in Cape Town. After a month of getting up well before sunrise to prepare the boat for another day at sea, I decided that if I wanted to let myself catch up on some sleep during that day off, I could do just that without having to ask anyone else what they wanted to do. During my days off in Wyoming, I was completely in charge of what to do with that time. If I wanted to go on a raft trip down the Snake River, I could. If I wanted to take a bus tour up to Yellowstone, I could. If I wanted to go kayaking on Jackson Lake, or take my camera up to Lunch Tree Hill and enjoy the view, or go into the beautiful town of Jackson and explore it, I could. It also gave me the opportunity to be more spontaneous- and some of the best times were those planned at the last minute. For example, I’ll never forget taking that bus tour of Cape Town that took off right from my hostel and ended in a delicious braai (South African word for barbecue) right there in the middle of that beautiful city. I signed up for the tour just a couple of hours before it left, and it was one of my favorite days of the summer.

5. Indulgences won’t be judged, and secrets will be kept.

            When I got up in the bar in Jackson two summers ago and sang karaoke in public for the first (and only) time in my life, I didn’t have a friend filming it to immortalize on the internet. If I wanted another serving of that delicious sausage at that braai in Cape Town, I didn’t have a family member raise an eyebrow; hey, it was 400 rand for the tour, plus unlimited food and beer at the end- of course I was going to take advantage of that! Traveling solo the past two summers, I haven’t needed to ask myself if my travel companion is trustworthy to keep my craziest moments secret, or not judge for the times I indulge a little more than I would at home. If I don’t want people at home to know about the time I had one too many springbokkies (damn I miss that drink) at the bar in Gansbaai and let that stranger pull me out onto the dance floor, and get to know me very well in those few minutes (didn’t get to third base, but he certainly rounded second- no pun intended), I could keep that memory tucked away.

            I could go on and on about why I love traveling solo, but I think this blog post is more than long enough. So, one more time, for those that predict I’ll meet the love of my life on my adventures and “no longer have to travel alone”, my goal for my travels isn’t to find a lifelong travel companion- it’s to continue reassuring myself that I don’t need one. Traveling solo is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, and it’s an experience I’d recommend to absolutely anyone. 

Goodbye 2015

            When a year nears its end I, like a lot of people, find myself thinking back over it- was it a good year? What did I accomplish? What were my favorite and least favorite moments? I remember at this time last year, I considered 2014 the best year of my life. While I still consider 2014 to be a great year in my life, I can honestly say that 2015 has stolen the title of the best year of my life so far. Some of the reasons for that include: I made my lifelong dream of working with wildlife in Africa a reality. I traveled internationally for the first time, and made friends from all over the world. I went cage diving for the first time, and came face to face with huge great white sharks. I explored many different areas of South Africa, from Gansbaai to Cape Agulhas (the southernmost tip of Africa) to the gorgeous Cape Town to Phalaborwa. I caught a brown shyshark with my bare hands while snorkeling off the cliffs in Hermanus. I worked in a sanctuary for orphaned baby baboons, and played a role in taking care of them daily. I saw my first wild elephant, lion, black rhino, giraffe, monkeys, hyena, and many more. These are just a few of the amazing experiences that have made 2015 such a special year for me, but there are plenty of others.

            Africa had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. The idea of going there was almost magic to me as a kid. I seemed to think, from very early on, that going there would change me, and I was right. Coming home when my African adventure was over had felt strange because I didn’t feel like the same person that I’d been when I left. Traveling, I’ve learned, changes you in a lot of brilliant ways, especially traveling solo like I did. By traveling around South Africa and working with people from England, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Belgium, Australia, and more, I gained new insight and perspective about life. I came home feeling much more experienced and cultured than ever before. Summer 2015 made me realize what a few people had already told me- once you get the travel bug, you’ll never want to stop.

            South Africa, you’ll forever own a piece of my heart. You played a big part in 2015 being the best year of my life, and I miss you dearly. I’m not sure when, but eventually I will return to your gorgeous coastline to experience everything you have to offer again. As for 2016, I can’t wait to see what crazy adventures you have to throw at me! 

Summer 2016 Plans!

            Let me start off this blog post by saying that about two years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would live the next decade for me. Meaning- I wouldn’t worry about finding the love of my life, really settling down, or starting a family on my own. Instead, I would focus on doing the things I love, especially the ones that I might not be able to do later in life. One thing I included in that promise to myself was a travel goal. I said that by the time I’m thirty, I want to have been to this many continents, countries, and states (I won’t say exactly what that goal is, but it’s rather ambitious).

            Now, all of that being said, when I left South Africa in July, I knew I would return. At first I said that I would return in summer of 2016, but in the time I’ve been back home I’ve been thinking about that promise I made myself two years ago. Would going back to South Africa further me towards that goal? The honest answer was no, it wouldn’t. Part of me really misses South Africa and wants to return, and I definitely will return to that beautiful country, eventually. But, after a lot of thinking and battling with myself, I’ve decided that next summer I want to try something different. So, without further ado, it’s time to officially announce that I’ll be spending summer of 2016 working and living in a wildlife sanctuary in Bolivia! I’ve already booked my stay with this sanctuary for June first through August sixth, and am already practically counting down the days! This sanctuary is home to a variety of South American wildlife, including several species of wild cats, monkeys, birds, spectacled bears and more, most of which have been rescued from illegal animal trafficking. I imagine my experience with the baboons at CARE this past summer will help out when it comes to working with the spider monkeys and capuchins at this sanctuary- there will probably be some similarities. However, I know each species of primate is unique, so working with these new species will be a great learning experience! I’m also really excited to work with the wild cats and spectacled bears that live at this sanctuary, as those are animals that I’ve always loved but don’t really have any direct experience with. I’ll definitely miss the sharks and baboons that I worked with this past summer, but I’m super excited to get more wildlife experience in the gorgeous country of Bolivia! Oh, and getting more travel experience in general under my belt is going to be an extra plus.

            This post’s food for thought: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”- Eleanor Roosevelt 

Chuma the Okapi: In Memory

            One year ago today, I received a text from one of my good friends, a keeper at the zoo, revealing the bad news. As I read that text, I remembered the first time I met you. Walking up to you, at first feeling a bit intimidated by your large size, but quickly falling in love with that gentle beauty that you had. I remembered the feeling of awe as I ran my hand over your fine, oily hair, as your rough tongue began to lick me, as I looked into those big, gorgeous eyes for the first time. A year ago today, I remembered that wonderful moment, and I cried. I cried because I would never again walk past your exhibit and see you, never again get licked by your long, rough tongue, never again look into your amazing eyes.

            I’m not sure you really understood how important you were to me, but trust me, Chuma, you were. Getting to know you was one of the greatest privileges of my life, and certainly one I’ll never forget. You were so loved by so many people at the San Antonio Zoo, and I hope we gave you the best life possible (I think we did). At 29 years old, you were believed to be the oldest okapi in the world. When thinking about you (which I do every day), I always try to be happy that I was lucky enough to get to know you, instead of being sad that you’re now gone. You touched the lives of everyone that met you, were very beloved by the zoo guests that saw you, and you were truly a great ambassador for your species. I will never forget you, Chuma. I love you. Run free, you wonderful, beautiful animal…

            This post’s food for thought: “An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." ― Martin Buber

Eight Years At The Zoo

            On September 29, 2007, eight years ago today, I had my very first shift as a member of “zoo team”, the teen volunteer program of the San Antonio Zoo. If someone had come to my fourteen-year-old self on that day and told me all the experiences I would have through that zoo in the years to come, I never would’ve believed them. Now, though, in hindsight, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve met my best friends through that zoo, had countless up close experiences with all kinds of wildlife, and learned things that I never could’ve learned in a classroom or from a textbook. I’ve had so many unforgettable experiences that never would’ve been possible if I hadn’t gotten involved with the zoo. I’ll certainly never forget the first time I watched the emergence of twenty million bats from Bracken Bat Cave when I went there with the zoo to help out. Nor will I forget my first up close encounter with our Komodo dragon, okapi, hippo, rhino, and so many more. The feeling I got when I was invited to go through the docent training when I was only 16 was amazing, as was visiting Sea Turtle Inc. in South Padre Island with other zoo volunteers. I’ll always cherish the memory of feeding my first animal at the zoo, a tawny frogmouth in the Hixon bird house, and the day I got to see the newly hatched Komodo dragon babies was one of the best of my life.

            Listing just a few of my favorite zoo memories, you can probably tell why I’ve stuck around for as long as I have. The past eight years at the zoo have been incredibly special, and I wouldn’t change anything at all about them. If I’d never submitted my zoo team application eight years ago, I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today. I probably wouldn’t have gone on my Africa trip this past summer, wouldn’t know half as much about wildlife as I do, and wouldn’t have met some of the most important people in my life. San Antonio Zoo, you’re my happy place, and no matter where my future endeavors take me, I’ll always call you home. Thanks for eight years of crazy adventures- I can’t wait to see what the next eight years bring! This post’s food for thought: “Whatever you want to do in this world, it is achievable. The most important thing that I’ve found, that perhaps you could use, is be passionate and enthusiastic in the direction that you choose in life, and you’ll be a winner.”- Steve Irwin 

Hold On, We're Going Home

            My blog has been pretty dormant since I returned to the states, so today, since I have some free time, I figured I’d make a new post. As of today, September 22, I’ve been home from South Africa for exactly two months. Hardly an hour goes by that I don’t think about my nine weeks in that beautiful country; not a day has gone by that I don’t pine to return to the little, loving baboons of CARE, or the strong waters of the Atlantic Ocean around Gansbaai. Everyday I miss waking up before sunrise to pack up the boat for a day out at sea with the great white sharks. Everyday I miss the wild troop of baboons playing on the tin roof of the Mountain Lodge that served as my alarm clock. Not a day goes by that I don’t yearn to be back in South Africa. I already know that I’ll be back there next summer, and it can’t come fast enough. South Africa is the most beautiful, diverse, colorful, wonderful place I’ve ever been, and it’s a place I’d recommend to just about anyone. From my first time in the cage with the sharks to hanging out in the gorgeous city of Cape Town to meeting little Yolo and Darcy down by the river at CARE, I had so many unforgettable experiences in the nine weeks that I was lucky enough to have there.

            Coming back home to Texas, I definitely didn’t feel like that same person that I’d been before I left. Travelling internationally, especially alone like I was, is definitely an incredible learning experience. This summer I got to see how the people of South Africa live, and while there are some similarities, there’s quite a bit that’s different. From the food to the language to just the way people interact, spending time in South Africa helped me learn that not everyone does things the way we do here at home. Travelling to other countries can teach some life lessons that just can’t be learned any other way.

            Though I’ve fallen back into the “normal” mode of being home, I feel like something about me is different than before I left. For one, I’ve definitely become more independent and feel more comfortable being on my own. I mean, if I successfully maneuvered my way through a country I’d never been to, 9,000 miles from home, completely on my own, without having any trouble, I feel pretty good doing stuff around here solo. Maybe the experience of being my own boss made me mature more over the summer- I definitely feel a lot more comfortable getting around airports now! People warned me about going alone, but, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. Being on my own was part of what made it so much fun.

            I know for sure that I’m going back next summer, hopefully for a little bit longer- eleven weeks is the longest that I can be in the country with just my passport (I’d need to get a visa to stay longer), so I think that’s going to be my goal. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to go back to both of the same projects, or just focus on one. One thing I do know is I’m definitely returning to White Shark Projects- that may have been the best month of my life, and I can’t wait to be out on the boat with those beautiful sharks again! See you next summer, South Africa. This post’s food for thought: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”- Terry Pratchett

Release Site News

            Tomorrow is my last full day here at CARE baboon sanctuary in South Africa. This morning, watching Yolo, Darcy, Mika, and Yana playing together down by the river, I thought about how much this place has come to feel like a second home to me, and how much I’ve come to know and love these little guys. Yesterday in the nursery, when little Mika curled up under my shirt and went to sleep, I thought about how protective I’ve come to feel of these adorable little baboons. I first realized that feeling about two weeks ago, at the end of the Fourth of July weekend, when we got some news here at CARE. I haven’t written anything about this in my blog yet, since it hadn’t been made public. Now, though, two weeks later and with my time here almost up, I think it’s safe to tell this story.

            As I’ve mentioned a little on previous blog posts, CARE has an overall goal of releasing troops of baboons into the wild. They’ve found good release sites and done it with two troops so far, and also have semi-wild troops here at the sanctuary that hopefully will also be released back into the wild where they really belong. Early on the morning of July fifth Stephen, the director of CARE, got a call from Phil, the employee that’s currently staying at and monitoring the release site for the first troop, which was released back in September. Phil told Stephen that he’d heard the sound of gunshots and baboons screaming, and now could only find three of the troop’s members, of which there were about twenty total. Stephen immediately headed out to the release site to see what was going on. I remember the anxious feeling that loomed over CARE all day as we waited for him to return, hoping he’d bring good news. Stephen finally got back that evening and, long story short, the news wasn’t good. Five of the baboons in the troop had been shot and killed, their bodies just left out to rot. Baboons have had a bad reputation in South Africa for decades, being seen as vermin. Apparently some very sick poachers found their way to the release site and used them for target practice. Needless to say, it was an emotional night at CARE. Stephen and some of the other staff members that knew that first troop were saying the names of the ones that died, remembering them, trying to be happy that they at least had a few months of freedom, and thinking about how crazy it was that the poachers didn’t even take the bodies with them. There was no point to it other than pure cruelty. In the weeks that I’ve been here, I’ve come to really love the baboons here at the sanctuary, and that news made me absolutely sick. Never in my life will I forget the way I felt, laying in my bed at the mountain lodge on the night of July fifth. That night served as a reminder that working with wildlife could be downright heartbreaking. That was one of my first times to really experience that lesson firsthand; I’d heard stories like this before, sure, but that night it was different. I wasn’t watching a documentary or hearing a story from someone. I was right there, at the sanctuary, in the thick of it. These were animals that I was working with, cuddling in the nursery in the morning, carrying down to the river to play, making buckets of food and bottles of warm milk for, animals I was loving. That made it so much more real and powerful than any stories I’d heard or documentaries I’d watched before.

            The night Stephen returned from the release site with the bad news was a night I’ll never forget, and it was another way that this summer in Africa has been life-changing. It was by far the worst day I’ve had here in South Africa, but the last thing I remember thinking before going to sleep that night was this: tomorrow is another day, and there are still nearly 500 baboons living here at CARE that depend on the staff and volunteers to stay clean, fed, and safe.

            The next morning in the nursery I remember cuddling Yolo and the others just a little bit closer, and realized for the first time how protective I’ve come to feel of these little guys. The idea of releasing troops back into the wild has a trade-off: on one side, the wild is where these guys truly belong, and Yolo, Darcy, Mika, Yana, Princess, and the many other baboons here really deserve to have that freedom. At, the same time, though, once they’re released they can’t be protected 24/7 the way they are here, and I’d hate to think about one of the baboons I love here meeting the same fate that those five from the first released troop did.

            This news is about two weeks late here on the blog, but I thought it was important to write this while I’m still here at CARE, listening to the baboons calling outside my window. I’m going to miss this place very much when I have to leave on Tuesday; it’s given me five of the most amazing weeks of my life. This post’s food for thought: “Must we wait until a species is on the brink of extinction before we wake up?”- Rita Miljo, Founder of CARE Baboon Sanctuary.