I’m pretty proud of myself for having grown some balls in travelling to Scandinavia by myself. And I’m really glad I did and didn’t just go to somewhere I was familiar with. I really love stepping out of my comfort zone because I am able to see how I can defy my own expectations of myself and see how capable I really am. Solo travelling can be a bit lonely but you end up surprising yourself with aspects of your personality that may have laid dormant. I found myself being friendlier with people. I struck up a conversation with the tour guide in Norway who was this English guy and we had some really good chats. It was really nice to just talk to someone who was chill. Then I struck up a convo with the couple from HK from the same tour. I guess the more you speak to people the more you realise how small and interconnected our worlds are. Turns out that couple would play soccer near where I lived in HK and the English guy was hitchhiking down Australia just in March.
I went on a walking tour in Stockholm yesterday. An English girl who was also solo travelling decided to make convo with me. And we just talked and at the end of the tour we decided to hang out and have lunch together. We hung out for 2 hours and spoke on a range of topics. We have similar views too and we were just talking about our lives. Hers in London, mine in Sydney. I guess that’s the magic of connections when travelling. You’re in an unfamiliar place and your body is geared towards connection. And you can find connection anywhere. This solo trip has proven me a few things about myself, which is I am so much more capable than I give credit to myself. I planned my travelling so well and I was always resourceful. I always knew how to get from the airport to where I needed to be, I knew how to plan myself in time. Not once did I feel helpless. And that I’m introverted but that doesn’t mean I don’t like people. I love humans. I love connecting.
this trip has expanded my heart. And actually expanded the love I have for myself. I’m definitely going to come back to Scandinavia. I know it is expensive. But this place has a certain magic and charm to it that it’s worth the long flight over. I love Nordic design and cuisine. I think that’s my favourite. And the way of life is what my nervous system needed. It’s calm, it’s trusting and it’s relaxing. It’s like my brain was able to exhale.
It’s my second last day and I’m flying out tomorrow. I’ll enjoy the last of it but I know I’ll be back holidaying in Scandinavia again someday. This place is magical.