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You are here: Home / How to Travel Alone / A Solo Point of View / Travel with the Wits of an Adult and the Wonder of a Child

Travel with the Wits of an Adult and the Wonder of a Child

December 19, 2018 by Janice Waugh

Children I met skipping away, taking delight in the day.

Children I met skipping away, taking delight in the day.

We need our wits about us as we travel solo.

There are all of the planning details beforehand as well as the navigating and negotiating as you're on the road. It's serious business to take care of oneself in an unfamiliar place.

But travel is much more than that.

It should also be a lot of fun! It should take you out of your daily responsibilities and give you the freedom to explore the world your way.

While I preach the word of safety, I believe that it's important to balance caution with a childlike sense of wonder.

Marc Chagall said, “I am a child who is getting on.”

Whether you are a millennial, a boomer, or any cohort in between, I wish for you the ability to be a child who is getting on. Not a person who is childish but one who has the ability to be childlike at the right time.

child with camera

Travel with all the knowledge of your years but with the wonder of your childhood eyes. Learn how with the Wits & Wonder Travel Course.

Check out the Wits and Wonder Travel Course

Try New Things. Notice the Remarkable. It's Child's Play.

As an adult I'm envious of certain childhood traits.

Children know immediately what they like and what they don't like. It's in them. There's no second-guessing. They relish favorites and second favorites. Their gushing enthusiasm for something simple would be remarkable in an adult world.

Children also have a wonderful ability to be in the moment, and to allow moments to stretch. They try new things. They test their physical limits.

Children never determine the value of something based on price.

This last point reminded me of the video from 2007 of Joshua Bell (see below), one of America's most amazing violinists, playing in the Washington subway. He was ignored by thousands of passers-by. People pay $100+ to attend one of his concerts, yet, whether it's because people were too busy or just didn't expect anyone playing for free in the subway to be that great, few stopped to enjoy his beautiful music.

There is so much to be enjoyed for free as one travels. From street art to short encounters with locals, to vibrant colors of unfamiliar produce in a market, take it all in with the wonder of a child.

photo, image, radishes, paris market, travel

Allow yourself to be fascinated by something as simple as a vibrant display in an outdoor market.

Develop Your Travel Skills and Trust Yourself

With so much information freely available on Solo Traveler and the rest of the internet, you can develop amazing travel skills. Add to that life experience, travel or otherwise, that you already have, and all you need to do is plan and trust yourself.

Use those skills to be safe and get where you want to go. Travel with your wits about you, but also tap into the enthusiasm, presence, and willingness to try something new that you had as a child.

Travel with the wit of an adult and the wonder of a child.

Check out the Wits and Wonder Travel Course

Last updated: 22nd March, 2020

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers. Please see our Privacy Policy here.

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RESULTS MAY VARY (THE DISCLAIMER)

The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

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