Day 01

What is the value of travelling?

‘’You are so brave’’

This is the comment I hear the most whilst on the road. Perhaps this is because I travel alone. Maybe it is because I am female. Or a mix of the two.

Yet, I know I am not alone. I have met many women travelling alone. It is a popular trend, particularly among Europeans, Australians and Americans.

Recently I was lucky to travel to West Java, Indonesia. Here in the remote town of Cianjur, many locals I met were shocked that I came alone.

You come alone? Wow, you are brave

This reaction may partly be due to the cultural norms. Here it was unheard of for women to travel unaccompanied. Especially if she was married, she needed a permit from her husband before venturing out socially. For me, this was a head spin.

I really struggled with this aspect of the culture. I am used to travelling pretty much wherever I please. To constantly be shepherds to and fro would drive me slowly insane.

Also family is very much the cornerstone of their culture. To travel so far away from my family and friends to them was brave but also perhaps peculiar.

Culturally I am encouraged to explore the world as much as I can and learn from different cultures. While in Cianjur they warmly welcome foreign visitor as it is a way for them to experience culture from far away lands that otherwise they may not ever experience.

My time here encouraged me to reflect on the way in which I travel and view it through a different lens. The way I explore is extremely indulgent and selfish. I am very much focused on enjoying the present. This has been important to establish a better sense of self and figure out the direction I wish to take my life. Not everyone is entitled to such a luxury.

Herein lies the value I find in travel.

I can take an extended period of time to really learn about myself while at the same time being immersed in new cultures. I have been lucky to make new friends from around the world who view the world from a very different perspective.

The conversations I have on the road have forced me to think more deeply about what I see and experience. It has also sparked me to ask better questions.

I am learning life lessons.

I have learned my ability to travel is a privilege.

I am grateful to have such a privilege and can feel the value it has added to my life.

Thank you to all my friends who I have met on the road, and I hope to keep meeting more friends who challenge me and continue to add value to my life.