Not Just Places: The People Who’ve Shaped My Solo Journey

Jul 22

Written By hillary dowdle

One of the most frequent questions I get asked as a full-time solo traveler is:

“Don’t you get lonely?”.

Of course I do… don’t you?

Marriage can be lonely, parenthood can be lonely, entrepreneurship can be lonely…

Loneliness is a part of life.

But luckily, it is very rarely a part of mine and when it is, it is usually short lived.

I may not be able to read a map, or pick up language quickly, or manage to ever be on time, but one thing I AM very good at is meeting people.

And I happen to meet the BEST people.

People who trust me with their time, their stories, at the most vulnerable times… because when we are traveling, we are truly at our most vulnerable.

We are in new places and new spaces, may not speak the language, might be jetlag, might be missing home. Travel truly is the great equalizer: we are all brand new and probably a little bit lost.

Maybe that is what makes it so easy to make these connections: We immediately relate in a way so many others never will.

While I have always been extroverted, I have always been guarded and struggled with trust (textbook hyper-independence and attachment issues) but this lifestyle has taught me that while I am doing it solo, I cannot do it alone.

I have had to lean on unexpected people, open myself up to new people knowing I’d likely never see them again, trust people with my emotional and physical safety over and over again.

Starting this journey in my late thirties and slow traveling has been beneficial and challenging when it comes to meeting new people. While I occasionally stay in hostels, I skipped the quintessential early 20s “hostel life” phase of travel.

So, where do I meet people?

Everywhere.

Facebook Groups, Instagram, on the street, walking tours, sitting at a bar, at the top of Machu Pichu, through other friends.

“Don’t talk to strangers” was clearly a lesson lost on me.

The people that have come into my life on this crazy venture have come from all walks of life. Some have stayed in mine for a few minutes, others a few hours, few days, and some a few years, but they have all left their mark in some way.

Whether it was an encounter that reminded me how truly small this world is, or how small I am in this big world, these crossing of paths will forever stay with me.

These are the stories of the people.

The locals

the wanderers

the moments in time

and the forever friendships.

The unexpected and chance encounters that have filled my cup over and over on this whirlwind adventure.

(If you are one of them, I am grateful for you and I hope I have done our story justice)

I have been continuously solo traveling for the past 3 years.

In that time, I have learned Solo travel isn’t just about places—it’s about people.
This series shares the unforgettable souls who shaped my journey in the most unexpected ways.