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March 29, 2010
Sometimes it’s not where we go … but the connections we make
When you’re in a faraway place, an ordinary moment is often the source of the most extraordinary memories. And one of my best memories is from a trip a friend and I took to Thailand.
While we were there, we came across some farmers harvesting rice. I was curious, so—with hand gestures—I asked if I could give it a try. The expressions on the faces of the men as they handed us their special sickle-shaped knives were priceless! We grabbed the stalks of rice with one hand, and then hooked the sickle around the stalks, pulling it toward ourselves as we cut. But I couldn’t quite make it work. I started to laugh, then my friend started to laugh, and the harder we tried to harvest the rice (it’s more difficult than you think), the more the farmers laughed, too. It’s a moment I treasure because I felt as though I really made a connection with the local people.
I felt I made a stronger connection with my friend, too, because it’s the kind of bonding experience that the two of you can draw on for years. That’s why I so encourage people who are hesitant to travel without their spouses to just give it a try—whether they’re going solo, or with friends or other family members.
Fortunately, at OAT, our records show that more and more of our travelers are doing just that. And that got me wondering: Just what is it about OAT adventures that especially appeals to those who enjoy setting off on their own? Maybe it’s our small groups, which create a spirit of camaraderie … or local Trip Leaders, who make sure you enjoy a truly authentic experience … or our unique itineraries … or the fact that our regional offices are right there on the spot, to ensure your peace of mind. In our Travel Talk section, you’ll read about experiences from three of our solo travelers who traveled on some of our most popular solo adventures.
And if you’d like to hear from more of our solo travelers, or learn about our other popular solo OAT trips, visit our Top 10 most popular solo adventures page.
Do you have your own stories about traveling solo? I’d love to hear about it. Share your stories with me at harriet@oattravel.com.
And in the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring Turkey, Patagonia, and Southeast Asia. If you’ve explored these destinations with OAT, I’d love to hear your stories—and see your pictures! Email them to me at
harriet@oattravel.com.
Harriet Lewis