Remember the time...

Showing up isn't the same as putting yourself out there. I feel this. Solo travel gives you opportunities to sit at the bar or join the tour. But if you don't engage once you're there, you may wonder why you're not meeting anyone.

One of the conversations my friend and I have frequently is "remember the time I left you in Rwanda with no way home". Even if you're meeting people while traveling, they're often not around years later to share those memories with. This part often gets missed in the "you'll meet people" advice.

Even if nothing happens, there's likely to be times during solo travel you'll feel unsafe. Having a plan in mind helps give you options when your brain is stressed. It's not necessarily about becoming more cautious, it can make you more confident because you know what you'll do.