During the episode, I quickly realized why I started a blog instead of a podcast. Putting my thoughts and experiences into words is clearly my strength. Speaking them out loud? Well, let’s just say that might take some more practice (you shouldn’t count how many times I said „offen(open)“ or „Offenheit(openness)“ during the episode). In any case, I would still recommend all German speakers to listen to the interesting conversation between Anja and me or one of her many other podcast episodes.
In any case, the experience inspired me to reflect on the question „What does traveling mean to you?“ once again. And my birthday felt like the perfect day to write a post about what truly motivates me to travel.
Traveling as an Escape? Not Really – More Like a Search
In 2023, the most common reason Austrians travelled was for relaxation, followed by visiting friends and relatives.
But „relaxation“ isn’t exactly how I would describe my travels. And back when I first went to Latin America, I didn’t have any friends or family there yet.
„So, is traveling an escape for you?“ That’s a question I’ve been asked multiple times. But honestly, my life in Austria is going just fine – there’s no real need to escape it.
If it’s not about relaxing, not about visiting loved ones, and not about escaping – then what is it?
„We travel not to escape life. But for life not to escape us.”
Discovering the World Means Questioning Stereotypes
A more obvious reason to travel: I want to discover the world. But not so I can say, „I’ve visited every country“ or „I’ve seen the Seven World Wonders.“ What truly drives me is real experiences: Learning to dance salsa in Chile. Having a Colombian explain the history of his country to me in just an hour.
To discover the world is to unlearn our assumptions. South America is always hot, Latinos are always full of joie de vivre, Colombia is dangerous, and don’t you dare travel to Mexico alone. Whether we learn it in school, read it in the news, see it on social media or hear it from others. My personal advice? Don’t draw any conclusions about a place until you’ve been there yourself.
Some of the stereotypes I had about Central and South America turned out to be true. Others were flipped on their heads. In Colombia, I met the warmest, most open-hearted people ever. In Chile, people eat dinner around six, not ten. And no, it’s not always hot and sunny across South America. But joie de vivre? That is definitely part of the Latino way of life!
Learning What No Textbook Could Ever Teach
Traveling teaches you – just not in the way textbooks do. When a local tells you about the history of the Inca while you’re exploring Machu Picchu, you’ll remember far more than you would from a history class. Real life will always be the best teacher.
You learn life lessons on the road. Not just facts and figures, traditions, and customs. Traveling is a massive learning process in itself. Especially when you’re traveling solo, you’re constantly faced with new challenges. It starts with planning, when you have to take care of documents, insurance, visas etc. And unexpected situations will arise again and again when travelling abroad, requiring you to find a solution quickly. Like when you arrive at an airport with no money, no internet, no ATMs, and no WiFi. Every day pushes you out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s your first time eating alone at a restaurant or climbing a volcano that tests your physical limits.
But don’t worry: I’m not trying to scare you off solo travel. I just want to show you what a huge adventure awaits. One thing’s for sure: You won’t get bored.
And another thing I learned from traveling? You don’t need a lot to be happy.
Who Am I, Really?
What else do I love about traveling, especially solo travel? That I get to leave everything behind. In a completely new environment, I’m free from the expectations of others and free to make my very own decisions.
In familiar surroundings, we often play certain roles: the good daughter, the helpful neighbour, the diligent student. It’s not that I don’t like the Austrian version of myself. But I often feel like I have to meet certain expectations. In the same environment, it can be hard to break old habits or embrace change.
Now picture this: You’re in a totally new place, a different country or even a different continent. No one knows you. No one knows who you are or what you’re like. So, you get to ask yourself: Who do I want to be? Today I might be loud and funny. Tomorrow I might be quiet and calm. On the road, you could reinvent yourself in every place you go.
Traveling through Latin America gave me the chance to get to know myself all over again. To discover sides of me I didn’t even know existed. To ask myself: Who am I, really?
And yes, that can be scary. Before I returned home, I wasn’t sure if I was still the „old Romi“ – or how others would react if I wasn’t. But those who love you will welcome you back, no matter how you’ve changed.
Above all, I have also gained a lot of self-confidence. In the past, I used to place a lot of importance on what others might think of me. I found it difficult to accept my own mistakes and laugh at myself. It was only through my travels that I found the courage to post my reels on Instagram and start my own blog.
So, What Does Traveling Mean to Me?
Honestly, I could probably write a whole book about it. Because it means so much. But in short:
Traveling means freedom. The freedom to see the world with my own eyes. The freedom to rediscover myself. The freedom to break old patterns and follow new paths.
Now it’s your turn: What does traveling mean to you? What draws you out into the world?
Also, feel free to listen to my podcast episode with Anja if you want to hear more about my journey through Latin America (German only).
In addition, her podcast Onewards features many interesting conversations about (solo) travel 😊
Links to the Podcast:
- Südamerika ruft – Chile, Bolivien, Peru, uvm. – ONEWARDS
- #97 – Südamerika ruft – und Romi hört hin! (Chile, Peru uvm.) – ONEWARDS – der Solotravel Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
- #97 – Südamerika ruft – und Romi hört hin! (Chile, Peru uvm.) – YouTube
Bussi Baba!
Bussi Baba 
Hinterlasse einen Kommentar