The idea of being a solo traveler both thrilled and challenged me. However, in doing certain things that normally people would do in groups, such as watching a movie in cinema, eating out in restaurant, sipping coffee in cafe, and travelling, I prefer doing those on my own rather on groups. Well, sure with safety and convenience considered as top priorities, altogether with the budget, no need to tell ;)
Until today, I've only made a total five times of solo travelling. Not all fully solo, though, and not so much of numbers, of course, but sure more than enough to be grateful of. Here they are :
The first one was back in February 2007 with destination Singapore. The trip was initially meant for having interviews with two architecture companies of which I applied before. Both were failed, just for you to know *doh -___-" But I didn't regret the trip. It ended up with me strolling around the city for the rest of the days, contemplating much on "do I really really really want it or do I, actually, only think I wanted it?" Until the plane landed me back home, I just couldn't answer that.
The second one was in January 2008 with destination Malang, East Java. This one was originally done to attend my friend's wedding. At first I thought I would meet other friends either on my way or meet them there in Malang, but eventually all of them did not come. Well, the good things were my friend's family came to pick me at the train station and brought me to my friend's house, and I didn't need to think about the accommodation. The hotel was already booked and it was close to my friend's house. She also gave me some notes for some routes of public transportation, so I could do some wandering around for the free time, which was not too much. Practically I did not get a chance to explore the city by myself, but attending the wedding was enough. It was always good to spare your time attending friends' weddings, something I must admit lacking of in doing nowadays. Well, the only part I did not like about the trip was the fifteen hours sitting in the train, back and forth, that's it.
The third one was in August 2008 with destination Semarang, Central Java. This was another not-so-solo-trip since I did it as part of visiting my grandma and aunt. However, most of the strolling around the city for photo hunting were done in solo mode. Except for one or two walks which my aunt came accompanying me. The trip was definitely a good good break for me who lately was fed up being a part of some international conference committee. And then I realized vacation is indeed a need.
The fourth one was in March 2009. That was DEFINITELY my first REAL SOLO TRAVELING ever, with destination my favorite city : Yogyakarta. There's so much to tell about this trip, yet I might be three years too late for it. But I made a promise with myself to tell stories I haven't told. Well, I always found writing poems regarding the feeling I had toward almost all of things happened in my life as good and enough. But I did sometimes feel that telling the story as it was is just as good. So here, I am now making the list of stories I always wanted to tell yet I haven't done so. And the list does not contain only stories about my solo travelling. It also lists my other kind of travelling, the books I read, the music I listened to, the movie I watched, the shows I attended,... let's just say that was some kind of way for me to appreciate things those have made me feel so alive these past years, despite all the disappointments and broken hearts. Once in a while, it's actually good to be a stranger to yourself and eventually realized that despite all, life is good :)
The fifth trip was done recently, literally going to Solo for the sake of watching Matah Ati performance. Well, that one was not a real solo travelling though, since I've spent some of the trip with a friend and also some other new friends. It was fun, though ;) And I realized that some cities will remain as my favorite cities, after all.
Well, let's the stories queuing. This time hopefully not for too long ;)
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