Singles or Doubles

When deciding to go on an around the world trip one must decide if they will do it alone or with a partner in crime. Travelling alone and travelling with a group, even as small as two, changes the ball game completely. During my travels I have been blessed with a little bit of both worlds and there is definitely pluses and minuses to both. When travelling in a group, of two or three or more, one has the comfort of having constant companions, people to look after them, those to share memories with and ones to help with the travel decisions. On the flip side your stuck with these people for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the good times and the bad. Which of course teaches us about ourselves, how we work with people, what we like, what we don't and how much we can take (on every level). The people we travel certain countries with make the experiences grand or not. Whenever someone tells me they hated a country, or its not worth going to, my first question always is, "Who did you go there with?". Usually the answer gives you some immediate insight on how there experience was shaped by those who they shared shoes with (or beds for that matter). People always make or break our experiences in life especially if one lets them steal their peace. The travel groups I have had, I have loved. Team party floor, my American girls, the Austrian and Doro, and my dear friend Jaimee. All of em have been amazing travel partners and I loved every moment with them. But....here's the kicker.....I also absolutely love travelling alone, sometimes even more so than in a group. When you travel alone you meet so many more people its outrageous. Because a travel team has the comfort of those around them, they reach out less often and put themselves out there less. While travelling alone one must solely depend on themselves and create their own happiness, therefore I find myself talking to everyone, making conversation with everyone, and finding a friend in everyone. I have met people who made travel plans with good friends and it turned out to be a complete disaster. I have met couples who argued all the time and others who radiated love for each other. Some people start their trips and realize they cant do it alone and out of fear change their plans and latch on to someone going a similar direction but if that's what you need to make it through there is no judgement here. All I can say is that I have never spent one day alone while travelling. I have found friends on planes, trains and automobiles. There is friends everywhere if you want to find them....one of the best ways to judge a persons character is by how many different types of people they can get along with. I believe that friends, just like music, all types, all variations, all forms, have something to offer if you have the ear to listen. In the end, if you are making travel plans and deciding on whether to do it alone or with a group the decision boils down to you and the type of person you truly are at your core. How brave are you? How outgoing are you? How resourceful are you? How easily do you make friends? Are you willing to put yourself out there? Do you have common sense? Are you easy going? And do you have room in your heart to let people in? It takes courage to let people in and it takes courage to be honest with you who are.  Nevertheless, making the decision to travel is the most difficult decision, after that everything else simply falls into place. So, if you are meant to travel alone it will happen or if you are meant to travel in a group they will find you.