Hi Reader!

You don't have to be fearless to travel alone.

After travelling to sooo many countries, I'm still not sure I've become fearless about travel.

I've simply become much more confident that I can figure things out.

Take Skopje, North Macedonia (located in Eastern Europe, North of Greece, and was part of the former Yugoslavia).

I'd spent the evening sitting around the main square, people-watching and enjoying the energy of the city.

Eventually I realised it was after 8pm (Yikes! This is what happens when you travel in Summer in Europe, when the sun sets late).

Time to go.

I took the road away from the square confidently headed back from where I came.

It was a lovely evening walk and I strolled for about 30 minutes expecting to see the familiar bus station any moment soon, then realised... I was lost!

Properly lost... and anxious because it was dark and I was now in a quieter, more sparsely populated neighbourhood near a bushy not-well-lit area.

I knew only one thing: my Airbnb was near the main bus station.

So I stopped a young man who was walking on his own, to ask for help. (As a standard I said hello then asked if he spoke English)

He responded warmly and in fluent English confirmed I was quite off from my desired destination.

Turned out that he was headed to the gym and assuring me it was safe he slowly explained the directions I should take to get back on track.

He actually walked with me for a while (a slight detour from his way), while cheerfully sharing titbits about his homeland.

We eventually reached a junction, where he pointed me in the general direction of the station and we parted.

Except I was still a long way from my Airbnb.

So after another short while, just to be sure I was still on the right road, I stopped another couple.

The man hesitantly explained that he spoke a “litto English”, but showed his willingness to help. Between a few English words, many hand signals and a very elaborate description involving junctions, buses and routes, he somehow got his message across.

His wife waited patiently beside him, smiling encouragingly as her husband concentrated on helping this obviously lost foreign woman.

Although I had nodded encouragingly, I wasn't able to grasp in entirety the explanations, but with an appreciate and encouraging smile, thanked him as best as I could and set off in the direction he persistently pointed towards.

Eventually, by God's grace (and my overworked) travelling guardian angel), I arrived safely at my Airbnb at around 9.30pm. Phew and Yay! 😅

Only afterwards as I reflected on the heartwarming experience, especially of the hand gestures of the last guy, did it suddenly click:

Oooohh! THAT'S what he meant by the BIG buses station! 😂

And that's one of the things travel has taught me.

People are often much more approachable than we imagine.

You can be somewhere unfamiliar, not speak the language and have absolutely no idea where you are, and still find someone willing to help!

Of course, solo travel doesn't mean throwing caution out of the window. I pay attention (I remembered to note the bus station). I know that independence doesn't mean being careless.

But I've learned not to confuse unfamiliar with unsafe.

And I've learned something even more valuable:

I don't have to know exactly what to do before something happens.

I just need to trust that, when it does, I can work it out.

That's what travel confidence looks like to me.

Not fearlessness.

Not having all the answers.

Just knowing that you can navigate the unfamiliar and ask for help when you need it.

You build confidence one journey at a time.

And perhaps that's why, these days, when someone asks:

“Do you know anyone there?”

I can smile and say: “No.” And go anyway.

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I'd love to hear from you too.

Have you ever been lost while travelling and had to ask a stranger for help? Even in your own country in an unfamiliar place?

Or had someone unexpectedly step in and help you when you weren't quite sure what to do?

Those moments can be uncomfortable while they're happening, but they can also teach us something important:

We are often far more capable, and the world often far more helpful, than we imagined.

What's your story?

Warmly,

Your Travel Coach,

Maria Kamau (aka Mkay)

Travel Enthusiast | Bodacious Adventurer |Travel Writer

I help women over 40 travel confidently, affordably and on their own terms, without relying on tour agents or on others to realise their dreams.

PS: If you are planning to Travel and could use some support, here are a few ways I can help you:

✅Book a check in chat so we can explore your travel plans and how I could help: https://tinyurl.com/check-in-chat-with-Mkay [FREE]

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✅✅✅Work with me 1-on-1 for 4 or more sessions to equip you with the skills of travelling as a lifestyle and watch your travel dreams come true! https://tinyurl.com/travel-support-options [Affordable and Transformative]

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