Reflections of a Solo Female Traveler: There is no such thing as random encounters

Submitted by Grace on Thu, 05/13/2010 - 23:01

It has been some time since I have traveled solo. Now tha I am back from an 18 day adventure in Peru and Bolivia, I have not only gained new experiences but I have also met new acquaintances. I have forgotten that one of the best things about traveling is meeting fellow travelers. It is funny how linear our lives can seem to be. We spend most of our time in our own path focusing on where we want to go. However, if we take the time to raise our heads from out of our personal burrows we will discover that the path we are in isn't really a straight one. It is more like an intricate web. And the best parts are when we intersect.
 
I mean, don't you ever get amazed by the fact that at that particular moment we happen to be at the same place and at the same time? Out of all the other places we could be at that specific time we choose to be in the same spot! What are the possibilities, huh? What makes it even more special is when we actually connect. Most of us find it easy to pass this off as a random coincidence or a chance encounter. But as Einstein once said God doesn't throw dice.
 
We never know what sort of connection or relationship we might have to the person next to us is at any given moment. We can never be sure what the reason is for crossing paths, but we can be sure there is a reason.  And every reason is an opportunity to make the most of these connections. Whether if be a fleeting or lasting one we must seize this opportunity. To be present in the moment so we can be fully who we are with that person. Life really is too short to have regrets or to fear sharing yourself with others. 
 
So a word of advise: be open to everyone you meet. Keep your smile warmed up. And get the word “random” out of your head.
 
 
 

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Comments

I am glad you guys enjoyed

Submitted by Grace on Wed, 05/19/2010 - 00:10.

I am glad you guys enjoyed this piece. Natalie, that is so awesome how you met your husband! Jstrand...I do wish that more Americans are open to the idea of traveling. I see so many young Europeans most of the time. It seem traveling is not a priority and I think staying in a "hostel" gets a lot of bad rap for people in the States. I also want to see more Asians- aside from Japanese folks- travel!

Meeting other people was

Submitted by JStrand on Fri, 05/14/2010 - 18:11.

Meeting other people was always my favorite part of traveling as well! I so wish we had a hostel culture in the States - both for going to stay at them and also just having them in more cities. The sense of connection and family you find in them, no matter who it is you're sharing a room with or eating next always makes me realize how similar people are in their goals and passions and general goodness. They remind me that every stranger is a person with a story, not a pair of eyes to avoid on the subway.

Beatuiful piece!  Sometimes

Submitted by Natalie on Fri, 05/14/2010 - 15:14.

Beatuiful piece!  Sometimes I sit back and think about me, being in this place at this moment and what it all means, but I think we forget about the encounters we have with others and the significance they hold!  I think this is true in every aspect of our lives, even outside of traveling.  For example, my first day of band camp in college, one of the older members sort of reached out to me and got to know me.  Later on, he introduced me to one of the first-year guys in his section because he knew we had a similar interest.  I ended up dating that guy he introduced me to, and now, four years later, we're married!  If someone else had befriended me that first day, I might never have been introduced to my future husband!
 
Also, I love when you meet someone through work or a mutual friend or relative, ends up becoming a major part of your life, or someone that you get to work with in the future.
 
I haven't done a lot of traveling, but if I do I'll take your advice about being open to meeting new people!