1) Protection: I had been so excited about travelling that I didn’t really think about my safety as a solo traveller until I realised how safe I feel now that G is by my side. I’ve been away on my own lots of times but always staying in hotels and meeting up with friends at some point there. I’ve never set off anywhere just me and my backpack so I think I was a little nieve to not even consider it and even laugh off my family’s concern!
2) 2 minds are better than 1: Me and G have expertise in very different areas. He’s the survival type, my very own Bear Grylls. He’s been Bear Gryllsing it for years which is knowledge I don’t have. Could he have planned this trip though? I’d say not as he still doesn’t know where we are or where we are heading to next! So I’m the organiser but a bit of a wimp. Together I think we make a full shilling.
3) Share experiences: I love the idea that he’s beside me for all the sun rises and sunsets, for all the wildlife spotting and incredible sightseeing. It’s nice to show pictures and videos to friends and family back home but I like the idea that he knows exactly how beautiful those moments were.
4) Fight loneliness: I don’t really get home sick and I’ve dined alone abroad many a time. I always meet new people and end up spending large parts of solo holidays with someone. But I would still get lonely and find myself looking at the time back home wondering if anyone I know will be up.
5) Encouragement: As I have said before I’m a bit of a wimp and have been known to scream at my own shadow. G won’t allow this. If he knows it’s safe he will give me a supportive shove in the direction im most afraid of for which I have been mostly thankful of. With the exception of watersides. He now escorts me straight to the lazy pool or jacuzzi and collects me at the end. He realised very quickly some battles are just not worth it.
6) Conversation: I’m a jabber box. You can probably tell from the way I write my blog! If G wasn’t there I would still talk and sing so him being there keeps the men in white coats at bay just a little longer. Plus G is funny. Really funny and it’s good to laugh.
7) Affection: After years of being a bit of a tough cookie and it getting me no where I’ve finally become girlie and love nothing more than a weekend lie-in cuddling and kissing and chatting rubbish to G. Meeting new people on your adventures as a solo traveller is great but you can’t beat a bit of smooching with someone you know.
expeditioningloveandstuff 