My First Solo Trip to South America

One word. AMAZING!

My first trip abroad was to Cusco, Peru. It was 14 hours away and I DID IT alone.

I am here to tell you that you can do it too. If you want to take a solo trip and you plan accordingly or not so accordingly, the experience you have will be what you make of it. In my case, it was pure awesomeness.

You Know You Need a Vacation! Take a Solo Trip

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Where Did the Idea Come From?

I am so glad you asked. To be honest, I wanted so badly to go on a study abroad trip with my university, but I did not have the funds or the financial aid that would reasonably support this goal. I heart community health and most things science, so I started brainstorming ways that I could create my own abroad adventure. Of course, most good things come from GOOGLE…for me anyways. I searched and found this agency based out of New Zealand, that helps with volunteer placement. You basically just pay them a very minimum fee for the placement and then you are responsible for arranging your own travel.

Are You Convinced You Can Do It? I’ll admit… the thought of travelling anywhere solo is scary. I mean we are taught to never wander off and to take a buddy with us when we are in unfamiliar places. Safety is a priority and there are ways you can take a solo trip and stay safe. The constant “you shouldn’t do this” from family almost kept me from deciding to go. But be let your heart and your instincts guide you, and have the best solo experience ever.

If you are sucker for pleasing your parents and family like me…just go ahead and book the non-refundable flight. They will be more understanding of your reason for why you NEED to go.

Getting There Was Just the Beginning

My stay accommodations were handled by the volunteer agency. The placement fee that I paid covered 3 meals a day and lodging. The lodging was provided by a family who opened their home to me during the stay. This family was also responsible for providing the 3 meals. A week’s stay with meals cost me less than a one-night stay at my local beach. So… do not let money be a deterrent as there are ways that you can curve your costs. Ask me below or private message me and I am happy to share advice and provide more details.

My flight was gorgeous! They really set the bar high. I was offered a blanket, ear plugs, and dinner with wine. My seat reclined and I had my own personal tv. I really was feeling boujee, but it was all good because I was about to get my South American vibes on. LATAM Airlines, you did your thing!

The price of my flight was also fairly reasonable and I think that was majorly in part due to me choosing a metropolitan departure city. With regards to ground transportation, I took the train, bus, or taxi to get back and forth within the city. However, due to my concerns with the flow of traffic…I found myself more comfortable with walking as my primary mode of transportation (travel to Peru and you will understand). Let’s just say that I lost 5 pounds in one week, walking a minimum of 5 miles a day.

The Best Part of the Trip

Volunteering with the local medical clinic and helping underserved and low-income communities was an experience I will never forget. The time would pass by so quickly and every day I woke up at least an hour earlier than what I needed to just because I was that excited. It never occurred to me that the medical procedures, treatment, and care would vary so much compared to the western world.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. Just a nice reminder that there is always more than one way to do things. Anyhow, there will always be a special place in my heart for that clinic and the community it serves. I am just honored to have had the privilege to observe and assist in their time of need.

Volunteer in Peru-Amandela's Experience — Medical Clinic I Volunteered at During My Stay in Peru

The Language Barrier

If you are looking to go abroad, you absolutely want to do this:

Learn. The. Language.

I am not talking about fluency… I am talking about beginner basic comprehension. Learn what the basic greetings are, currency-related terms, and safety words.

Because I was working with patients who spoke little to no English, I enrolled in Spanish school for adults in the community. It helped vastly in my comprehension and speaking skills. I had more confidence when in the community exploring the area. Especially, when asking for help or more information about whatever it was I was interested in. I kept a handy pocket-guide for the area that also had basic translations.

The opportunity to learn the language even a little bit can enhance your experience within the culture. I’m not saying you need to take a semester long course with Rosetta Stone. You just need the basics.

Did you catch that? I enrolled in Spanish school and it cost me roughly $20 USD. To study abroad, I would have been paying at least 150% more in tuition.

Experiencing the Culture

While I arrived to Peru by my lonesome, I was not alone for long. I met people everywhere and I am now connected with people from Canada, Australia, China…you name it. I even became cool with a local Peruvian girl about my age who recently had a baby. Congrats girl!

We hung out and we explored the city together. We enjoyed the cuisines and shopping with each other. I had alpaca meat which comes from a native animal to the area and it was yummy. I also had “Cuy” or guinea pig. It took a lot of courage for me to try this. However, the family that hosted me shared that this was a common meal and me being me wanting to embrace the culture…tried it. And, while I do not think I will try it again…the fact that I did is what counts.

I decided that the weekend before I would depart the country that I would travel and explore some of the national landmarks. Being pressed for time, I did not get to check out the really cool renowned, Macchu Picchu. Some of the friends I described above did and boy do they have some cool pictures. I actually made my way by bus to the ruins of the sacred valley, Ollantaytambo. This place was absolutely beautiful. The people that lived nearby were also pleasant. One girl offered to take my pictures since I was alone. I gave her $1 USD as a tip and then she offered to take more. I truly felt like it was a photo shoot. Nonetheless, it was a great experience and a great way to wrap up my trip.

Cultural Immersion in Peru — They have a street sign that honors my birthday! 🙂

Beautiful, Breathtaking Ruins in the Sacred Valley

Safety Matters

There is no secret that there is crime in Peru. Truth be told, there is crime everywhere. I have not pulled the data, but I would just guess that it is probably more crime in your local municipality than in some of the places that you are looking to travel. With anywhere you go, you should not let your guard down. You can register with the government and the embassy so that you receive updates about safety concerns in the area that you are traveling. That site also has good information about how to stay safe abroad. For example, don’t keep your original passport on you… carry a copy. Conceal valuable items and do not leave them unattended. Take extra precaution when travelling at night or by yourself. My list of safety procedures could really go on and on, because it is that important. Safety matters! Ok, mama bear is will stop lecturing.

You’ve Booked That Flight Right??

Why not? You only live once and the world is waiting on you to discover it. I recently heard someone say, “the world is really a gorgeous place, if we just stop and look at it.” I encourage you to go and explore the world, immerse in a culture you have never experienced, create memories that no amount of money could buy. This is your time.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! I will close with this last thought. It is very different when you travel with a group of people you know versus yourself. The way your day is planned, the sites you decide to visit, the restaurants you are interested in trying is completely up to you…it is not up for debate like with a group. You can truly just go and be yourself. Heck, you might even find your best you!