TIPS FOR TRAVELING SOLO: BY RIKENNA LINES


I'm sure it was blatantly obvious, but my trip through Arizona was a life changer for me. I've always loved traveling alone, but I had forgotten to what extent over the last few years. There is something so incredibly powerful about... just being. Which is so much easier for me to do on my own. SO, with that in mind, I asked Rikenna (who is a good friend and Chicago based photographer) to share her tips. RiKenna travels A LOT and recently took an epic adventure across the US. I Facebook stalked her while she did so, and admired her tenacity and fearless exploration. She's an expert on these kind of things and her tips for traveling alone are as follows:
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1. Not only bring a camera but remember a TRIPOD! So many times I was without a tripod for perfect moments I had with myself... and no where to set up the camera.
2. It's good to have plans but it's even better to just wander and let the day take you. My most memorable days while traveling were the days I didn't have any plans and had no idea where I was going. It's the best way to explore a new city.
3. Bring a journal. I'm not the best journal keeper, but something I enjoyed doing was wandering out by myself and all I would put in the journal was what I smelled that day. Or what I saw. Or sounds I heard. For example:

Oct. 13, 2012

(Brooklyn, NY)
flowers
gasoline
pizza
perfume
coffee
donuts
garlic
subway
Oddly enough, I can look back on these and reflect on personal memories that bring me back to that day.
4. Pack light- THINGS will just hold you down and make traveling a burden.
5. Wherever you go, send a post card to someone. It feels good to have your family and friends apart of your journey. Plus, everyone loves getting snail mail.
6. Eat/drink something new.



7. Talk to a stranger and be open about who you are if they should ask.
8. Be silent. It's easy when traveling alone to think you have to be listening to music, taking pictures, reading a book or calling a friend at all times. But take a day and be with yourself.
9. Don't beat yourself up if your trip didn't go play-by-play the way you wanted it to. The fun part of traveling alone is rolling with the punches. Let your trip take you where it likes. Of course see the sights you want to see and try the restaurant you heard all about- however if it all doesn't get checked off your list-don't sweat it.
10. Make a photo album of your trip. Like a printed out one. I don't care if you went to Globe to go thrifting. I think it's easy for our generation to put up an album on Facebook and call it good. There is something to be said about a tangible photo album you can touch and flip through. Find a great album. Or design it yourself. Later on in life I think you will greatly appreciate you did that for yourself. This website has great custom photo books you can make and the print quality is amazing. For the right trip it would be worth the money.

You only live once. 

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RiKenna, I love you. 
What are your tips for traveling alone? I wanna know.

6 comments

  1. These are great tips. I don't think I would- somewhat because of work- go to any long trips but I have been itching to just GO and no one has been on board. This makes me think I should just GO.

    zuleyb.blogspot.com

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  2. I really need to invest in a tripod.

    Awesome tips!!!

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  3. Yes, I totally agree with these! I'm from NY and drove to and from CO alone a few years ago. It was amazing. I still miss it and sometimes wish I was a long-haul truck driver.

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  4. Great traveling trips. Choose the best season level to start your trip.

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