I've travelled a few times without Andrew now. My first post from this
India trip shows you how far I've come in being able to manage the perils and
joys of travels as a solo female, and in the meantime, I've made a few
observations about my own habits while I am sans fiancee. Some are curious,
some are obvious, all are mine.
1. I take fewer photos, but I take better photos
When Andrew is
around, I seem to feel more comfortable being a 'tourist' as opposed to
appearing a 'traveller'. However, when alone, I want to appear a little less of
a tourist. Maybe not one of those long term travel types or a local, but maybe
I could pass as an expat. Thus, my camera often stays tucked in my satchel in
my efforts to blend in, and my lack of having someone watch my back whilst I am
deep in photographic concentration. This forces me to limit my shots to things
that really deserve my attention. No, I don't have incredible shots of
people lining the streets, but I've got kick-ass shots of architecture in the
wee hours, without the hordes distracting the photos, and I have the
opportunity to spend more time working on my composition, without boring the
brains out of my waiting travel partner.
2. I eat less; a LOT less
Don't get me wrong,
I love food. But when I travel alone, I'm on my own clock, and get lost in my
own wandering world rather than worrying about 'snacks'. I'd happily go 8-10
hours with nothing more than water and coffee (or juice or lassi if blistering
hot) in between a decent breakfast and a light dinner to ponder my writing
over. Every now and then I'll cave in to a truffle, nougat or something else
decadent if my cafe is entrancing enough, but outside of that, I think I'm one
of the few people that regularly comes back from holidays having lost weight,
rather than gained.
3. I walk more
On this last trip to
Mumbai, I took two taxis: one from the airport, and one back to it. I refused
to try and negotiate the mess that is taxis and fares on my own and resolved to
only visit places within walking distance. It's another reason why my attempt
at getting to Marine Drive failed. In London, I did the same thing, wandering
the bridges, laneways and footpaths for hours on end, only using the tube when
absolutely necessary. Yes, it often leads to a painful end to the day, but it's
a rewarding pain, and nothing a light jog or stretches can't work out of tight
calves.
4. I'm back in accommodation an hour after nightfall
I'm not going to say
I'm so dedicated that I'm back on residence before the sun sets. There's too
much liveliness, action and photographic opportunities for that. However, I do
make sure I'm heading back soon after the street lights come on. After that, I
start to get nervous about the people around me and am too paranoid for my own
good. It may be a quiet and relatively long night, but the netbook is always
loaded up with movies, tv episodes and has the capacity for much writing about
my days. When Andrew is about however, we wander the streets well into the
night, taking in the glittering lights, the frivolities of locals and tourists
alike, and often partake in a beverage or two. I do miss the evenings out, but
I'm ok with the nights in.
5. I dawdle
I tinker with my
phone, smile at strangers, scroll through my photos of the trip repeatedly,
stand in front of single paintings for twenty minutes at a time, loaf around in
internet cafes and take the better part of an hour to have a coffee or pot of
tea. I can spend ninety minutes rifling through pashmina shops and bargaining
over bangles and will walk forty minutes just to find a nice place to eat. I
get lost in staring at the sky, swinging my legs off railings and I repack my
bag each night. I am an avid people-watcher, buy local artworks just because I
can and almost always pick up local literature. I read and I absorb my
surroundings. I am in no hurry; I even allow myself a sleep in. I am almost a
completely different person to teacher-Kristy.
6. I read
I had a conversation
with my colleagues on one of my last days of school this year. They looked at
me in horror when I told them I didn't read, not really. It's a little
shocking, I suppose, being an English teacher and all. It's not that I don't
read full stop; I read a lot of blogs, especially those of the travel variety,
and read set texts for classes. Aside from that I rarely tackle a book, finding
it just another thing I have to fit in to the end of a work day, among marking,
cooking, running and catching up on my social networking fix. But, when I
travel, especially alone, I usually have a book on me and have actually made my
way through two novels so far this year. I am not afraid of being antisocial
and losing myself in another world when I'm sitting in the sunshine and
enjoying a breeze.
7. I buy more stuff
I'm a girl; I can't
help myself. I like to buy pretty things and when there is not a discerning
male by my side to discourage me spending my hard-saved travel cash on
pretties, I tend to be a little more gun-ho. Heck, it's my bloody holiday, why
not make the most of the city I'm in? Andrew is better at buying things for me
when he goes away, and I'm a bit slack in return. That said, I'm easy to buy
for. Boys are hard to cater to when you're faced with pashminas, jewelry and
handbags.
8. I write more
This one's pretty obvious really. Without the opportunity to experience these
adventures with my loved one, I want to share it with him all the same.
You'll find the often personal narrative nature of my writing is because I'm
essentially talking to him and the friends and family back home who may not
have the same opportunity to travel as I do. This is a record of my journeys to
reflect on when I am old, and to keep in touch with those I have left behind at
the bottom corner of the globe. I am not out to earn money from my blog, I am
just here to share my adventures and those long hours of the evening and solo
trips to cafes give me the opportunity to do so. In contrast, when one is sitting,
perched on a hillside after six hours of trekking, waiting in anticipation of
noodles, broth and Tibetan bread on a cold Nepali Winter's day, watching a
young girl play knuckles and a toddler running around declaring his name is
Basut, one does not write so much, but rather spends the time enjoying the
moment with that person who is sharing the experience.
So, there you have it. A range of different habits I take up when I'm on my
own in a new city. When I am with Andrew, I eat a lot, take transport, take a
bazillion photos and regret it when I have to edit them all later, and I don't
write about my experiences quite as much. I get lost in the moment with him and
focus less on how I'm going to describe it later. I'm not going to say I like
one better than the other; there are pros and cons to travelling alone and
together, but they are both very different creatures, like comparing apples and
oranges I suppose.
Also, in reference to number four, regarding local literature, I have just
begun reading "Breathless in Bombay" by Murzban F. Shroff and it is
ASTOUNDING. Here is a man who looks at the life and the degradation of Mumbai
in the same way I do, although he is a resident. He sees the inherent beauty,
but he also sees that it is not being cared for in the way it could be. It is a
compilation of personal stories, each a different perspective on life in
Bombay, and so far is a fascinating read. I don't recommend books often,
because ultimately, I don't read them enough, but THIS is a real gem. Go read
it.
