Solo Travel Beyond the Mask
This segment is a personal and professional 30-day challenge encouraged by HBCUvc to put one’s thoughts into writing based on preferred interests.
Four months after the formal reopening of Quintana Roo, Mexico, I decided to visit. While there, I met a young woman in the middle of the vegetated jungle park between Cancun and Tulum. She was crouched down, peering through the dense leaves and fallen branches post-hurricane Delta. We were both wearing masks, so I thought it was safe to check out what caught her eye (in case it was a snake) and, six feet away, asked, “What do you see?”
“A lizard!” the woman said enthusiastically.
I never got her name — the woman told me she was from Jamaica and known for having good eyesight. She also shared how she drank a special tea in the mornings to keep up with her overall health. So, we joked to keep her close on this jungle tour in case she saw a snake before I did! After a half-day together, there was still a sense of anonymity and serendipity about the woman behind the mask.
I couldn’t help but wonder what the new normal for a solo traveler will gradually become. A couple of things that stood out to me were:
Capacity cannot compromise human interactions.
My travel experiences are dependent on the connections I make and strangers who become friends. Now more than ever, every ounce of valuable conversation holds a lot more weight. The halt of travel has significantly impacted respective industries during the lockdown. Our innate inclination to socialize (with safety measures in place) brought me closer to service workers such as restaurant waiters, hotel personnel, and those alike. Profit is essential, but so are people. Since these places were not overbooked, they could optimize the customer experience with a genuine warmth bound to increase customer retention.
Becoming one with nature is nothing new; it’s normal.
I have always enjoyed outdoor activities, but it reignited my appreciation for nature once it became the only option. These activities promoted social distancing and a healthier lifestyle. Walking tours over bar crawls, and party buses made me more present. I embraced my surroundings and made the most out of the empty streets that would otherwise have heavy foot traffic.
Solo travel will never be the same again; but, I believe a redefined normal in the travel industry will enable more ethical and sustainable practices. It’s time to ditch tourist attractions for more off-the-radar locations that are equally beautiful. I am more inclined to support local businesses and travel to places of interest over trends. And by being more present, I can also enjoy a sensory experience that embraces the local culture, people, and history.
