Im afraid.......am I alone?

Vasko

Hi everyone,

This is such a comforting thread. I had the same type of fear/anticipation/what-the-hell-am-I-doing?/doubt cocktail of emotions you have described above before I left on my solitary journey last summer.

During the first few days in Mumbai I was no longer afraid, I was downright depressed. The monsoon rains had just started, I slushed around Colaba thinking, is it going to be like this the whole time?

As soon as I got on the train to Hyderabad, things started getting better.

The worst part of my travels was definitely not the hassles, the unexpected setbacks, delhi belly, or anything like that. It was the temporary loneliness of traveling by myself. To those of you who plan on traveling alone, be prepared for some seriously deep pits of solitude. They get even deeper if you're sick.

The loneliness came as a surprise. I thought I'd be meeting people and other travelers all the time, but it wasn't that easy. You always hear people saying: "don't worry, there will always be other backpackers and travelers that you can hang out with", but for me this was an exception, not a rule. (I did travel during the off-season, though).

But traveling alone brings a sense of freedom that easily makes up for the desperate moments! Right now I'm thinking I definitely want to make my next trip alone, again... even though I fear it!

steven_ber

I agree totally, and can think of a lot more to add about travelling alone, but it's best kept for another thread about travelling alone.

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darthmilmo

Just wanted to add to the list of ppl on the same boat... heading to India on the 20th of June...sure, i'm a bit scared... but as i'm a seasoned traveler (first time to India though) I know this feelings are usual... I'd do have to say that life's difficulties have a way of working out... you may end up lost for a few days, but in that process you may end up with an amazing experience... whether it is that local who went the extra mile to get you on the right bus/train... or perhaps just eating on the best little hole-in-the-wall stand in India... who knows what life's mysteries will bring to you .

Relax and have fun....

Suerte,
Fernando

PS: see you on the road!

lobo

I think it will be easier than last time in many ways (although we met a seasoned traveller out there), I aint so paranoid and know roughly what to expect.
I try to have a "when it happens then react, dont worry about stuff that hasnt happeed yet" outlook but with india I feel that tingling of fear inside.
I aint going till october but sometimes at night I think about it and get that feeling of dread, excitment and fear.

cant wait.

volga_volga

if I feel anxious when travelling it is usually when I set myself unrealistic goals... if i decide that there is no "minimum" that i should accomplish during the trip, that if i don't feel like it i won't leave my bed, everything gets easier.

specifically in india: when i feel the environment makes me anxious, i tell myself it is just exactly like Russia (my home country). it is obviously not, but it works for me!!

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lobo

I do find that the longer you are there the easier it gets. Especially when u get used to a place.

Maz 1979

Lobo,

Don't worry, India might be a scary prospect but you survived it once and no doubt you will again.

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gypsygal

i leave in 10 days to india and i am starting to freak! but that won't stop me! but being a single white 20 year old female maybe it should!!! nah i'll be right .... won't i ???

bud

Gypsygal..if you'd come a month earlier than you'd be able to watch the aussie cricket team thrash the Indians here!..and meet with a hundred other aussies! Anyways, I'm sure there are plenty aussies still around.

You'll be alright, this is a good time to be in India, have a good trip!

Ikuru

Im so Brave.

Ive Never Been afraid!






No seriously...

First time around you dont know whats comming so you walk in to it easy.

Than on the seccond trip You know what India can be, and all the Dark stuff (Like having to switch trains in the midle of nowhere at 4 am somewhere) comes back to you and you start to worry allot. I had to do allot more controlfreak preparations for my seccond trip than for my first, and offcourse nothing big went wrong... And the adrenalin rush of landing in Asia (first stop was Bankok) Never fades of I Hope!

I was sitting with a big Grin on my Balcony talking all the Mayhem and collor Inn.. And then after three months off Thailand I was making the flight to Calcuta and Again I was shit scared, and indeed it was a Tough transition to enter India once again....

Funny thing is after 6 months alltogether I was shit scared of the thought of having to go back to Sweden.

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freenote

I leave for India in 9 days .I have freaked!!!!!!!!!!!! but that won't stop me .But being a married 50+ built like a brick sh*t house with an ouzi 9 mm strapped to my back(dam thrown of a plane again) (forgot the pepper spray) maybe it should.Nah I'll be alright won't i???????

gypsygal

well i spose it is what it is hey!!! and fear is my biggest enemy!!
but thanks any way!!! i will just mold myself to what fits and hope i don't get picked out!!!

Karma Queen

god yeah i was absolutely petrified going out there for the first time. even though i'd seen the pictures, talked to people who'd gone, i still didn't really have a clue as to what to expect. i travelled out on my own, then had a 10 hour wait at bombay domestic airport (a hole) for a connecting flight to bangalore on my own. absolutely terrified! i was being met at bangalore airport, and so i was also scared that she wouldn't be there! wish i'd taken advantage of british airways free alcohol - i think that would have made the trip a lot smoother

gypsygal

thanks karma queen that is not a bad idea !!! only i had better limit it or i will end up being waisted and look like i'm begging to be kidnapped or something!!

Ikuru

Getting of the plain in Delhi Drunk is not the way to go Id say. Save that for another night. You want to have your Shit together wallking out of that airport. and to look smart. "Act Like you Know" Is the Key.