Why Every Married Woman Should Solo Travel

Hey people! I hope you're all staying safe at home during these Corona Quarantimes. I'm using this period of self-isolation as an opportunity to revisit past travel experiences such as my solo trip to Colombia after marriage. My husband and I both solo-travelled separately and had totally different experiences; I went to Colombia and he went to Peru. He wrote a guest post about why he'd recommend every married man to solo travel here; in today's post, I'm giving you 6 reasons why every married woman should solo travel.

You can read about my trip to Colombia here: Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Guatapé, Cartagena.

Freedom! 

Me in Cartagena

Don't get me wrong, I love being married to Massimo. He makes it so easy. But we've been together for 10 years now and I almost forgot what my life was like before him. Solo travel made me remember that before I became plural, I was singular. I didn't need to tell anyone where I was going, what I was doing or by what time I'd be back. No notes on the chalkboard, just get up and go.

As similar as Massimo and I are, we holiday very differently. I love activities and nightlife, he's either more relaxed (coffee shop and a nice book on the beach) or trekking up mountains. So our couple holidays are very compromised as we have to take both our interests into account. However, when I went to Colombia, it was my chance to be selfish. I did whatever I wanted when I wanted how I wanted. I DIDN'T GIVE A HECK!

"I've still got it!"

I remember when Mass dropped me off at the airport and I was all alone. This is when I began to question my decision about travelling solo. Was I mad? What on earth possessed me to do this? I was so bored and lonely on my way to Colombia that I wondered if I had made a big mistake. But eventually I made it! I survived the flight to Bogotá, managed to direct my swindling taxi driver to my hostel with broken Español and I even scoped out La Candelaria on my jack jones (before my altitude sickness kicked in). Turns out I was a big girl and had nothing to be afraid of. 

I learned quickly that travelling solo never really means solo. The hostels I stayed in were designed to make people integrate - from sharing rooms with multiple people, hanging out on rooftop bars, free salsa classes and adding my name daily activities on the whiteboard, I had company in no time. 

Accidental Girls Trip

In my second city, Cali, I stayed in a hostel that had hardly anyone in it. I was in need of some human interaction so I forced myself to go to the club one night. I ended up meeting a group of girls who seemed to love salsa just as much as I did and decided to move to their hostel the following day. We ended up going out together every night thereafter - we partied for a week straight. Imagine if Mass had been there? I wouldn't have gotten to share a room with the girls for a start and it just wouldn't have been the same. Couples usually stick together whereas singles are more likely mingle. And mingle I did. I ended up having the best time with this group of ladies and still chat to them now.

Maleships

When was the last time, as a married woman, you made a male friend without him being your husband's friend first? I'll wait...

This is one thing I loved about solo travelling. I missed having my own male friends. And I made quite a few out in Colombia. No hidden agendas, no attraction, just platonic relationships with people I really got on with.

Trip Advisor had me venturing to La Puerta Falsa in Bogota to break my tamal virginity. It was here where I randomly met two guys from the UK who had never tasted tamals either, so we bonded over the experience. In Cali, when I forced myself to the salsa club, Shunley was the first guy I danced with at La Topa Tolondra. He ended up joining us that whole week for parte after parte. 

In Medellín, I shared a room with a guy who's name has escaped me. We spent the day together at the Memorial Museum and also learned that we're both Nottingham University alumni. What a small world! And lastly, I met Maarten en-route to Guatapé - we spent the 3 hour journey back engrossed in conversation. I loved spending time with the ladies but the guys provided a nice balance - they were so chill!

A Variety of Holidays

At Guatapé, I remember reaching the top of Peñol Rock; I was closely followed by a woman with a baby strapped to her front and a toddler clinging to her ankles. Here, I realised my solo travelling experience was just the tip of the iceberg; I could holiday differently at each stage of my life. Couple travel has been what has made sense over the past few years but I can still travel when I have children; I can even still solo travel after I have children. Because why not? The possibilities are endless!

Where, when and how I travel will depend on me; travel doesn't have to be cancelled once I reach a certain stage in life, it just has to be adapted.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Obviously, being away from Massimo for so long meant that I missed him terribly (especially at the end of my trip when my money started to run out and I found myself with more time on my hands to call him). As great as the single life is, and as important as it is to have time to yourself, I love the fact that I'm married. I love being married to such an awesome guy. And I appreciate the fact that he is secure enough in himself to trust me in another country by myself - even though I spent the majority of it dancing with random men. It also made me grateful that when we're not solo travelling, I have my very own personal travel buddy who introduces me to experiences that are way out of my comfort zone.

How would you feel about your husband solo travelling without you? Let me know in the comments!

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Stay home and stay safe! Love you guys, Helen x