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Going places, alone

Time to reflect and recharge oneself. That's what travelling alone is all about

TRAVELLING ALONE It means different things to different people

Rabindranath Tagore's famous song, `Ekla chalo re', `Walk alone... .' comes to mind when one trudges along singly through the ups and downs of life. But far from the philosophic lonely traveller, is the idea of travelling alone appealing? Travelling alone means different things to different people. While for some, the time is utilised for planning the present and future, for others, it's purely enjoying one's own space without intervention from anyone. Creative minds use the travelling alone moments for creative pursuits. Says Praseed, a writer, "Travelling alone helps boost my creativity. Wherever and whenever I travel, I make it a point to carry a notepad and a pen so that I can jot down my ideas, lest I forget them."

The solitude gives one a chance to observe Nature in a better way. Travel also gives an opportunity to make new friends. What do married people say about travelling alone? Niyatha, a housewife, says: "Travelling by train to my native town alone is what I enjoy most since I am on my own. It gives me time to revaluate life besides taking a break. I also look at my married life from varied angles. It helps me improve family relationships."

However, not everybody indulges in such introspection. Much married Suhas Soman, working with a bank, says, "I dislike travelling alone even for short distances as the fear of not reaching my destination safely nags me. It is when you travel alone that you learn to value friendship."

Single women

As for single women, their status does not hinder them from travelling alone.

But mothers of grown-up daughters are not willing to let their girls travel alone as they feel it is risky. Asks Puspham, who has a college-going daughter, "When I am afraid to let my daughter go alone even to college, how can I let her travel long distances?"

Others are more flexible in their views. They feel travelling alone is fine if their daughters are independent and able to take care of themselves.

Charlotte Erickson, a 23-year-old from the United States, currently working as a volunteer in a college in Aluva, says, "I don't always prefer travelling in a group, as there are certain advantages in travelling solo. You have the freedom to make all the decisions about your itinerary, spend time for reflection, take advantage of your independence and learn to enjoy your own company, as well as have the opportunity to meet new people, something that's not likely to happen when you are already with the people you know."

RESHMI JAIMON

(Names have been changed to protect identity)

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