My trip to Cartagena and why you really need to take an international trip alone

It's no secret that I’ve become one of the newest fans of solo travel; solo anything now-a-days as I've finally embraced my introversion and have started to understand what things and people I need in my life to live my best life (but maybe that's another post).

You can read about my trip late last year to Italy alone here. 

A newly discovered reason that I am all about trying your hand at traveling alone is that it might happen to you unexpectedly and you should be prepared. That’s a pretty lame reason, but honestly I think it’s smart. 

Last month I took a trip to Cartagena, Colombia. (Yes it was incredible and everyone should go right now).

I went with my great friend Christina for most of the time. We planned the trip so that we'd arrive minutes apart in the airport then she'd leave Monday afternoon and I'd stay for one more day -- alone (bliss!)

I felt pretty good about the plans. And even though as loved ones reminded me South America is different from Europe and I am not fluent in Spanish, I had done this before so I felt confident.

And then our plans changed. 

Christina, my ambitious little continent jumper, was in Africa for about a week before heading to Colombia. She planned to spend 3 days back in NYC, where she lives, in between her vacations but some bad weather in Madagascar prevented her from flying out on time. 

This meant that I was alone for a little more than 24 hours upon first arriving in Colombia. 

Not that big of a deal considering I was going to be by myself for a day on the back-end of the trip. But arriving in the foreign country and being alone for the beginning of a trip feels different from being alone at the end of a trip. At the beginning you're getting the lay of the land, getting lost, seeing what's around and generally feeling out the vibe. At the end of a trip you have a sense of the city you're visiting; you have your bearings and at least know enough about the city and have associated the blocks and shops around your hotel as your "home" for your stay. 

Plus it’s very different to walk off a plane and know you’ll be with a friend within an hour versus a day and a half. That’s one thing I’ve learned by traveling alone internationally-- excitement feels different alone.

I found out about this glitch in our plans just a few days before I was flying out of the country. A shift that was sizable enough that I can tell you would have shaken me a bit if I had never traveled outside the country on my own before. But since I had done this before -- this being arriving in a city I didn't know where they spoke a language I couldn't speak and did fine -- I knew I could handle the change of plans.

And you know what? It was fine. More than fine, it was nice to explore and get to know the city on my own then introduce my friend to it. 

Christina joined me seamlessly enough and we had a ball. We explored the city, ate fresh, fresh fruit from street vendors, became addicted to chai frias (delicious/addictive iced chai drink that’s like ingesting heaven; I had two a day), had beyond delicious ceviche, tapas, seafood, and pasta, and listened to street performers day and night. 

And then the winter storm Juno hit the northeast of the United States. Which had, well, zero impact on me since I live in Georgia. But Christina living in New York was definitely impacted. As in her Monday flight was cancelled and she couldn't get on another until Thursday. Her vacation was extended by 3 days, 2 of which I'd be back in Atlanta. 

Now she's a pretty experienced traveler so she was fine. But I realized on my flight back to the states that this is just one more reason why I think it's really important for young people who are interested in travel to do some on their own: you never know how plans might change or get shaken up and you should be able to roll with any unforeseen and uncontrollable changes in your plan rather than let him roll over your trip. 

Maybe not *the* reason to try your hand at it, but if you’re the practically minded type maybe it helps make the case.

Now, since I need to get better about sharing photos… Some of the pictures from Cartagena!

MANGO (!!!)

Sunset from Cafe del Mar… A tourist trap but still came (and I agree is) highly recommended

The colors!

Look into one of the city streets. Fun fact: the building on the left --brighter yellow-- is the BEST restaurant in town, La Virtola. If you heed my advice and go to Cartagena (as you should) you must eat here. 

Me and the newest resident of Cartagena, at least for the last week of January

Picturesque beach day 🙌

And of course, come ceviche and divine plantain chips.