This past year has been full of exciting firsts, both good
and challenging. One positive first was taking a mini-vacation solo. I recently
ventured down the eastern coast to the charming city of Charleston, SC.
Traveling has an incredible ability to broaden your mind, open you to new
cultures, and transform you completely. I spent three days immersing myself in
the rich—albeit difficult at times—history of Charleston. From the battle-worn
brick walls of Fort Sumter to the slave trade market and cobblestone streets of
the city, my soul was moved, my heart broken for the right reasons, and my
desire to travel more intensely amplified. I came away fortified with a deeper
knowledge of our nation’s history and a renewed respect and admiration for our
forebears.
Walking through the entrance arch of Fort Sumter, it’s
impossible not to feel a pang in your heart. The average age of the men
stationed at Fort Sumter was just 25, with some as young as 18. They were sons,
brothers, fathers, and husbands, enlisted as soldiers, armed with artillery and
patriotic zeal, embarking on a war that would be brutally won by the North.
Standing at the fort’s center, knowing this was the birthplace of the Civil War
and that Abraham Lincoln once walked these very grounds, was profoundly
humbling.
I also took what is known as the Gullah Tour. Gullah is the
language spoken by the slaves and is still used among several Charleston
communities. Our tour guide, Alphonso, was a lively character who shared his
incredible knowledge of Charleston and its role in the slave trade. As he
spoke, the city’s history came alive. There was deep emotion felt by all when
we came upon what were known as the “slave markets” and the “whipping house.”
There were tears from some and a collective quiet respect and reverence as we
attempted to understand the atrocities that took place on those grounds. It
made us uncomfortable in a way we needed to be, and you would be void of a soul
if you didn’t leave changed for the better.
I returned from Charleston enriched by its history and with
a newfound love for the Charleston people, both past and present. I also felt a
twinge of pride in having embarked on this journey alone. There were many
moments I would have liked to share with a friend or special someone; however,
the solitude gave me the freedom to prove that I could successfully travel
solo. It allowed me to reflect deeply, unencumbered by the distractions of
companionship. In the quiet moments of walking through historic sites, I found
myself connecting with the stories and lives that had shaped those places.
Despite traveling solo, I was never truly alone; I felt the presence of the
many souls whose footsteps I followed, whose lives had been intertwined with
the history and culture of Charleston.
Traveling solo opened me up to new ventures and ideas,
pushing me beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone. It’s in these moments of
exposure to the unfamiliar—whether it’s a new landscape, a different culture,
or an untold story—that we often discover parts of ourselves we didn’t know
existed. I realized that every new experience, every piece of history I
touched, and every cultural nuance I encountered added layers to my
understanding of the world and my place in it. I found that through these
journeys, we are not just exploring the world; we are also exploring ourselves,
learning what moves us, what challenges us, and what inspires us. The solitude
of solo travel gave me the clarity to recognize these discoveries, and it
amplified my desire to continue exploring—not just new destinations, but also
the depths of my own aspirations and dreams.
This journey was not just about seeing new sights, but about
experiencing the world in a way that allowed me to grow. It afforded me
much-needed time for reflection and the chance to discover more about myself,
my undiscovered interests, and aspirations—one of which is certainly to travel
more.
Now, where to next?
