There’s something wonderful about traveling solo — one of the things I love about it is the opportunity to meet new people. People whom I may not otherwise meet because I’m too busy talking with the people I’m traveling with. Locals, fellow travelers, people who have seen more of the world than I have. I had the wonderful chance to meet such a person.
On my most recent trip Cozumel, a wonderful — and may I say quite brave — young lady struck up a conversation with me. She was a young high schooler who did not get many opportunities to practice her English with native speakers and wanted to take advantage of it while she had the chance.
I’m impressed with her bravery, her courage to walk up to a total stranger and start a conversation. At her age, that isn’t something I would be confident enough to do. A talented artist and an athlete it was wonderful to be able to pass the time on the ferry from Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel talking with this lovely lady — I even have a one of a kind souvenir, an exquisite hand drawn butterfly, to remember her by. It’s now proudly displayed on my bookshelf. She was very thoughtful, telling me about her life and asking me questions (with a very impressive grasp of the English language) and making sure I knew where to go and helping me with all my luggage.
It was a special way to pass the afternoon — better, in my opinion than sitting with earbuds in and scrolling endlessly on my phone. I hope that someday our paths cross again.