I’m sitting in a subleased flat in Berlin, fewer than 24 hours away from boarding a plane to head back home for the second time since I took off with that one way ticket to Bangkok nearly two years ago. It was a leap of faith, and I had really hoped my dreams of traveling long-term would work out for me.
Just as it was the last time I went home after 10 months of consecutive solo traveling, tonight after an additional 11 months is a deeply reflective time. Though it hasn’t always been perfect, and this year brought more questioning and uncertainty for the future than the last had, I also can’t help but feel profoundly moved by the memories of the people I’ve encountered.
I feel gratitude for the kids who hung out of the window as I rode the train from Ella to Kandy in Sri Lanka – one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve had the privilege of witnessing. They gleefully waved to me, asked my name, and made me feel warmly welcomed.
The ticket had cost less than $2 and the open door was perfect to hang out of, over sheer cliffs and terraced rice fields. Two years ago I would have thought a girl doing that was crazy, but the new me loves the feeling of the wind on her face and trusts her hands to hold on tight enough.
I feel grateful for the gaggle of kids in Camiguin in Mindanao, Philippines who flocked around me as I read a book the day after Christmas. Their cute questions about my family and friends back home, not to mention their excellent photography skills, still sits fresh in my mind eight months later.
I had been warned to stay out of Mindanao due to the terrorist activity in the south. I’m glad I didn’t listen. (But really, I never listen.)
It’s no surprise to me that children make up so many of the amazing memories in my mind. Their open wonderment and ability to love without fear is something I strive to get back to every day now that I’m an adult.
I’m thankful for the experience I got to have as the impromptu guest at a local BBQ in Vietnam. I will probably never forget how that grilled lemongrass fish tasted. Oh the lemongrass fish!
I’m humbled by the 13 different drivers who picked me up when I hitchhiked in China. Not only did they give me free rides covering over 1,000 miles through Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, usually in very remote parts of the country where I was told I’d never get a ride, but also often gifts on top of that.
Once, the driver couldn’t take me all the way, so he bought me lunch and a bus ticket, refusing to let me pay him back. The final time I hitchhiked, the drivers bought me a famous Ya-an fish lunch, which turned into a very odd piece of jewelry when the sword-shaped bone in the fish’s head was fashioned into a bracelet for me.
I appreciate the man in Nepal at the necklace shop who ushered me in and offered me chai tea, inviting me to come back any time, simply because I’d wandered off the tourist street and down an alley that many people never walked. He didn’t care if I didn’t buy anything (though I later did, for about 1/3 the asking price on the tourist street).
I’m also glad I continued to venture down that alleyway to the place where locals played guitar and made water buffalo momos (dumplings) for 60 cents. They offered me an additional plate of choila (“mix”), which in a very roundabout way, led me to a coconut brawl a week later. This helped me to get over the unpleasant experience I had during my first days in Nepal, and to form a new opinion.
Finally, I’m touched by the generosity of the Thai woman who saw a friend and me, on the outskirts of Bangkok, eyeing some snake fruit. I had asked my friend if she’d ever tried it, which she hadn’t. Before we had a chance to pick some out, this Thai woman had quietly paid the fruit stand owner for two fruits for us. She didn’t want thanks, she simply wanted us to try the fruit, and it was a beautiful gesture.
As I sit here and think about all the kindness shown to me, I’m frankly overwhelmed, and a lump forms in my throat. I learned more about myself and others in the past 23 months than I could ever have learned reading a book, taking a class, or working in a cubicle.
I don’t know how I’ll ever pay it forward, but I do know I’m not done wandering yet.
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Rachel of Hippie in Heels says
Enjoy this moment! 🙂
Brenden says
Wow, great post! 2 years of solo travel is awesome. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!
Kristin says
Thanks and me too!
Jimmy Dau says
Here’s to the next two!
Kristin says
Yes, Indeed!
Kristin says
Same, reminds me that bad days and bad people really are few and far between.
Charlie says
Sounds like a couple of amazing years! Reading this makes me so eager to start travelling again. Enjoy your visit home!
Kristin says
They sure were! Writing it reminded me of that, despite the down times.
Matthew Karsten says
So happy you had a great time hitchhiking through China. Travel really does overwhelm you with incredible memories that will last a lifetime.
Kristin says
I am too. I definitely want to try it again.
Alana - Paper Planes says
This was a beautiful read – thank you for sharing…and have a safe trip!
Kristin says
Thank you 🙂
Becki says
Yay to wandering off the tourist path in Nepal. One of my most treasured memories comes from doing the same! here’s to your next 10-11 block of exploring! 🙂
Kristin says
I can’t wait!
Brian Dennis says
Wow! That was deep. I have so many memories like that. It’s the simple things that always stand out to me when traveling. I remember on my first trip to Thailand, in Koh Lanta, during the rainy off season, I was riding my motorbike when a whole group of young kids on motorbikes passed me waving and smiling, then they slowed down to ride with me at my pace. These kids were no older than 10 or 11. It was sooo cute! To be honest, those feelings, I don’t know how to put them in words. I am glad I found this post…and you of course…I linked through Matthew K’s site. I am still new to blogging but am beginning to realize what I am getting from it is more time to reflect and now finding connections with other travelers who have similar experiences. Thanks!
Kristin says
Blogging’s great for connecting with others who are in a similar place in their lives and doing similar things. I love it for that. Great memory you have there. I just love kids when I’m traveling.
Heather says
So many beautiful memories, thank you for sharing! Those adorable kids remind me of the little Cambodian girl I met inside Ankor Wat whose smile lit up the entire temple. The world is such a special place.
Kristin says
Cambodian kids are amazing too.
Anna says
I feel the same way – I am constantly surprised and humbled again and again by the kindess of strangers and saddened at the amount of goodbyes I have to say and I’m always so thankful at the amazing experiences I have had through traveling. Enjoy the next stage of your journey
Kristin says
I hate saying goodbye too, but I guess it only means I’ve met so many amazing people, I have to say goodbye often.
natalie frizza says
Amazing post! I have so much gratitude for the people in my life who have shown me such kind acts, from both people I know and strangers! Your blog is amazing and inspiring!
Kristin says
Thank you so much 🙂
Oksana from Drink Tea & Travel says
Wow hitchhiking through China would’ve been an incredible experience! What an amazing journey you’ve had!
Kristin says
It was! Definitely a story for the generations to come
Travellingforfun says
Jeez, hitchhiking through China. That is mad. I didn’t think too many people did that these days because of the dangers. Sounds like you had a super experience though.
Kristin says
A lot of people thought I was crazy, but a lot also understood and cheered me on because they also had experience hitchhiking. There’s something intoxicating about it.
Brooke says
I loved your take on solo travel. So many bloggers will tell you why and how to travel solo, but your post was a nice transition of the appreciation you have for those who help solo travelers. Wonderful post!
Kristin says
Thanks! It really comes down to other people for me as it pertains to my solo travels. It’s an oxymoron because it’s about interacting with other people, not being alone, that makes it wonderful. As for a how-to, there’s no method, just do 🙂