Is the freedom worth the family drama, or should I stay home?
I've noticed more solo travelers ignoring pack weight until it hurts them. On my last solo hike in Colorado, I stuffed my bag with extra clothes and food. By day two, my knees were throbbing with every step. I had to sit out a planned summit attempt and rest at a lower camp. This taught me to weigh my bag before any trip now. It's a simple fix that keeps my adventures smooth and my body happy.
Got stranded in a small Thai town. An elderly vendor showed me a hidden waterfall. What's your best random encounter?
I always avoided eating alone at nice places abroad. But when a waiter in Rome confused my order and started chatting to make up for it, I realized how social it can be. The whole restaurant ended up laughing with us.
Now I plan extra time between flights on purpose.