Travel really helped me step out of my comfort zone. I never imagined I'd meet so many travelers spontaneously along the way.
Looking back, some of them made me realize things and question different aspects of my life.
So I'd like to share my best travel anecdotes, focusing on the most memorable people I met while traveling solo.
Gerard: A Memorable Encounter on My First Solo Trip
I'd like to tell you the story that defined my first year of solo travel, centered around meeting someone I deeply admire: Gerard.
To give you some context, I was 19 at the time. I was in my second year of higher education, going through an existential crisis about my life and what I truly wanted to do later on.
I didn't really enjoy my studies, but I had no choice but to continue because my mother was paying for them.
In a Vietnamese family, a good education is very important for a successful career and eventually leading a stable life.
My life choices were dictated by my mother's expectations, and I didn't really have a say.
At that time, I was a shy person without much personality, and I tried to act interesting to get attention from my peers.
In my spare time, I played video games, watched a lot of videos online, and didn't go out much to socialize.
To be honest, I wasn't feeling great about myself, as I was still searching for who I was, without truly finding my own path.
All I knew was that I loved to travel, to discover the world. That's it. Not very original, you might say.
My mother, who sensed I was on the verge of quitting everything to reorient myself towards something I'd enjoy more, decided to let me travel, on the condition that I continued my studies.
I said yes, even if it meant pushing myself in the following years to get my degree.
For my summer vacation, I decided to travel differently. Without family, without friends. All by myself. And I wanted to go to Japan for this first trip.
The problem, however, was money. Aside from the CROUS scholarship, which allowed me to save a total of €1000, I couldn't afford to go very far.
I was lucky enough to still live and be fed at my mother's house. So, in that regard, I didn't need to spend much.
To help me make my trip a reality, my mother helped me finance the plane ticket. The rest, I had to manage myself. I could only be grateful for everything she did for me.
Because without her, everything that has happened to me so far wouldn't have been possible. So I'm very grateful to my mother for that 😊
In July 2017, I headed to Kyoto, Japan, to volunteer at a guesthouse for 1 month. I found my placement thanks to the Workaway platform.
Once there, I met Tomo, my manager, who explained the various tasks I needed to perform. He was a very friendly and welcoming Japanese man.
He then introduced me to one of the volunteers who was standing nearby. His name is Gerard.
Originally from Taiwan but having lived his whole life in California, he was a calm and very kind person with whom I had my very first conversation.
Initially, it wasn't easy, because my English level was poor. I struggled to form sentences, but at the same time, it was a real challenge for me.
Conversations with Gerard were fluid and pleasant. He gave me time to speak, to introduce myself and talk about myself. And he spoke with an understandable accent, which greatly helped me understand English afterwards.
Gerard was also the person who accompanied me on my first day of work.
My first interactions, though sometimes awkward, still allowed me to gradually build a connection with him.
Our first outing in the city was a bit special. Gerard had brought his DSLR camera to take some photos.
Since I didn't know much about it, Gerard explained the basic principles of taking good photos.
With practice, I started to get interested in photography.
Many times, we found ourselves in the common area to enjoy moments with other travelers, simply chat, and participate in the activities offered by the guesthouse.
Some evenings, we and the other volunteers suggested going out to eat at a local restaurant, explore the city, or meet up at a bar.
In the end, the person I connected with the most was Gerard. Because it was with him that I ended up spending the most time. But not only that.
It's also thanks to him that my stay in Japan opened my eyes to several aspects of my life.
I developed a taste for meeting new people, getting interested in new fields, including photography, and realized that despite all the sightseeing I had done, my best memories were of spending quality time with him and the other travelers.
It was from that point on that all the self-doubt I had before my trip dissipated, making way for more clarity in what I wanted to pursue.
Since that trip, I haven't stopped traveling alone, seeking inspiring new connections, and enjoying every moment with the travelers I appreciate, even if it means abandoning my plans from the day before.
Steve: one of my most cherished encounters and a source of inspiration in Taiwan
I'm specifically thinking of a French friend I met in Taiwan during my volunteer work at a hostel in 2019: his name is Steve.
The first time we met was the day he started his volunteer work.
I remember that day I approached him because he had a French accent when he spoke English.
We started chatting for a few minutes, then hit it off. From there, we suggested exploring Taipei together since we had arrived in the country around the same time.
Once his work hours were done, we went out that evening with his camera. For various reasons, we loved the city's atmosphere and all its lights so much that we took photos of each other, just to get a little introduction to photography.
We talked about various topics, what we were doing, and what we aspired to in life.
Steve had gone to Taiwan on a Working Holiday Visa (WHV) to stay for a year, find odd jobs as a volunteer, and explore the island.
He told me about his life so I could get to know him better.
He was someone who hadn't passed his Baccalaureate, didn't like corporate work, and preferred to enjoy life, even if he didn't have much money. He strung together temporary assignments to save up, using the money for activities that contributed more to his personal fulfillment.
He himself felt lost after high school and couldn't imagine living a salaried life. Because, according to him, life should be lived to the fullest by exploring the world around us, not by being stuck in a chair manipulating numbers.
He was 8 years older than me and constantly exuded positivity.
We went out to explore Taipei several times, and I felt he was a simple person. I saw him living frugally, not spending much, and saving that money to do what mattered most to him.
When it came to food, I often saw him eat very little, or just a bag of salad and nothing else, because it was cheap. That just goes to show how far he would go to survive longer in Taiwan!
There were times I felt sorry for him and wanted to help him financially. But this situation was completely normal for Steve, as he was already used to living that way.
I found a lot of courage in him. Because not everyone could do what he did.
I saw in him someone who went against the current of what society advocates, namely: get an education, find a stable job, and keep at it until retirement.
No. He was quite the opposite. He had almost no trouble living on very little. And he always managed to get by while enjoying his life abroad.
Unlike me, he was intensely rooted in the present moment and thought of nothing else but enjoying every moment with the travelers.
He didn't overthink things, and when he wanted to do something, he just did it.
That's where I found a lot of inspiration in him. Because even though we're on two different paths, I managed to draw on his boundless energy and his ability to overcome difficulties to see things differently in my own life.
Jihwan: an unexpected encounter in New York, now one of my best friends
I also have another great encounter I'd like to tell you about.
When borders reopened post-COVID, I went to New York with a friend in 2021.
We were staying in a hostel right in the middle of Manhattan (which cost us quite a bit!) to be close to the tourist areas, but also to try and meet new people.
In our dorm, we happened to meet a Korean guy who was also visiting the city: his name is Jihwan.
Originally, he was studying law in Indianapolis as part of a university exchange program. He was also a student without much money, living off his savings from his military service in South Korea.
After chatting with him for a bit, we ended up exploring New York together. A few days later, we said goodbye because my friend and I had to leave for Miami, and he had to return for his studies.
Three months later, I received a message from him, announcing that he was going to visit Europe for 2 weeks. He had decided not to continue his exchange in the United States and preferred to travel instead. So he asked if my friend and I were available to meet up in Paris.
So Jihwan was coming for a week to visit Paris. We decided to show him the best spots as locals to help him get acquainted with the area. In the end, he told us he loved his stay thanks to us. I was very happy for him.
Then three more months later, I decided to go to South Korea for 3 weeks. The main reason was to see my friend Jihwan again.
It was largely thanks to him that I was able to discover his country like a local, as he invited me to stay at his place, introduced me to his university friends, showed me around his city in Pohang (a non-touristy city), and gave me the best recommendations for things to do.
In total, we've seen each other 3 times since we first met in New York.
And a few months ago, he invited me to his wedding, which I unfortunately couldn't attend due to lack of time.
Today, I can say that he is now one of my best friends.
The lesson I learned from this is that very often, when some of my encounters with travelers lead to great friendships, I always end up seeing them again someday in their own country, and with the chance to travel like a local thanks to them.
Shion : my favorite encounter, and someone I consider my big sister
While I was traveling to see my friend Jihwan in South Korea for 3 weeks, it's worth noting that at that time, Japan's borders were still closed to foreigners.
On October 11, 2022, the Land of the Rising Sun announced its reopening to tourists. The day I found out, I immediately asked my manager if I could take an extra week of leave. She agreed.
Then I immediately changed my return flight ticket, which I had booked with Asiana Airline. The incredible thing about it all was that I didn't pay any fees to change my return date, nor did I pay the fare difference.
And that was thanks to my friend Jihwan, who helped me contact customer service to do it.
So I found myself heading to Japan from South Korea. On the day the borders reopened. My favorite country. It was just incredible, really.
Next stop: Fukuoka, where I had a Japanese friend waiting to show me around her city.
I had met this friend, along with my friend Steve, in Taiwan. The three of us were volunteering at the same youth hostel.
She had once invited me to visit her in her city, and that's what I did.
My first impression when I entered Japanese territory was simply unimaginable.
There were no tourists. Only the local population.
It was a truly special feeling, as I could see the real Japan without crowds around me.
I made my way to the guesthouse where I would be staying for a few days: Fukuoka Guesthouse Ship.
My first encounter was with a staff member who seemed kind and friendly. Her name is Shion.
Once the rules of the stay were explained, I dropped my bags in the room, then I went back to her to ask for advice on things to see and do nearby.
As the conversation progressed, we started discussing Japan, daily life, and Japanese society.
She also introduced me to the other staff members, whom I also got to know.
Shion was, in a way, the bridge that allowed me to immerse myself in Japanese culture by participating in discussions with other Japanese people. She translated what they said to me, as I don't really understand the language, and conversely, she translated what I wanted to say to others.
I was so happy at the prospect of meeting so many people that I ended up putting aside the city tours I had planned. But it was truly worth it because I made a precious friend along the way (I'll tell you more about my story with him right after this!).
Shion is a straightforward and very generous person. She herself broke away from the classic Japanese stereotype we tend to associate: people who only think about working themselves to death.
On the contrary. She was more someone who let her emotions guide her to live a life that truly reflected her and was more aligned with her values.
She wasn't afraid to talk about sensitive topics in Japanese society, where criticism is very poorly received.
She works periodically, just to live on what she needs, and to build her photography project. Her goal isn't to get rich, but rather to convey emotions through her photos and make inspiring connections. In short, anything related to humanity and art.
Shion inspires me greatly with her lifestyle, even though it's sometimes quite precarious and difficult given the society she lives in.
But she always manages to see the positive side of her life and is always willing to help others.
Today, I consider her like an older sister. Because even if we're not family, she remains someone who took care of me during my stay and sparked my interest in meeting new people.
Since that meeting, we've had the chance to meet again twice. Once in the same place, and once in Paris.
And for me, it's always a pleasure to see her again!
Tatsuki: an incredible encounter with a big-hearted person
While I was meeting Shion, I also had the opportunity to meet another person in the guesthouse.
A boy named Tatsuki, originally from Hiroshima city, but living on Okinawa island. He's the same age as me and is passionate about photography.
He was in the living area, located right in front of the reception where Shion was.
At that moment, he was working on his computer, editing his photos.
At first, I was hesitant to talk to him because he couldn't speak English. Then gradually, the three of us started talking together, with Shion acting as translator.
It all started when Shion told me she was holding a temporary photo exhibition in a cafe not far from the guesthouse.
Tatsuki was curious to see her photos. So I thought to myself: 'Why not go too?'
On the way, conversations were quite complicated due to the language barrier.
With my limited Japanese, which I had learned in an engineering school course, I could more or less formulate simple sentences.
The conversation topics were simply "What do you do for a living? Where do you live? Do you have any siblings?". Basic, but enough to break the ice.
This first meeting with him was just the beginning of a friendship, as I actually started to really bond with Tatsuki during another trip to Japan.
I was planning to go back there the following year, in 2023. But before that, I asked Tatsuki if he was available so I could see him again. He was free.
His availability determined my itinerary in Japan. So I booked my plane tickets, heading to Okinawa for 1 week.
Tatsuki was waiting for me in his small town of Nago, located in the north of the island. To get there, I took the bus, which got me there in an hour.
His welcome was truly warm, and I felt he wanted to show me Okinawa his way, like a true local.
This time, I had prepared myself to be more comfortable speaking Japanese with him, even though we occasionally used a translator.
Over two days, he took me around in his car to show me the area.
He recommended I stay at a guesthouse on Sesoko Island, whose owner he knows well. He even went out of his way to come and stay with me for a night, so I could get to know the owner, his wife, and their daughter during an evening.
For me, it was the best guesthouse I had ever experienced in my life.
We all shared dinner together around a table, in an idyllic setting.
I learned a lot from them, and I felt they were a very relaxed family who truly enjoyed their time with their guests.
Thanks to Tatsuki, I had the opportunity to meet people who lead radically different lives and love what they do.
He and I then sat on the guesthouse roof to admire the stars. From there, we started having deep conversations.
The more I got to know him, the more I saw him as a person with a big heart.
He is a simple and positive person who deeply loves helping children and hopes one day to have his own orphanage. He works at a school near his home with the goal of inspiring future generations to follow their own path. From time to time, he participates in photo shoots for couple or family photos.
This kind of trip made me realize how much encounters can truly transform a travel experience into an unforgettable memory.
Max en Solo: A Wanderer Who Shares My Values
Still on Okinawa Island, after seeing Tatsuki again, I set off solo to explore the other parts of the island I hadn't yet visited.
I headed all the way north to explore Yanbaru National Park.
However, once I arrived, my plans immediately changed.
To get my bearings, I decided to spend a night at Yanbaru Hostel, the only affordable option. I had spent €35, which was quite expensive compared to the usual price of hostels in Okinawa.
Upon arriving, I realized there was almost no one there, apart from the manager who seemed busy with his own affairs.
I asked to drop off my suitcase so I could explore the town, as I couldn't check in yet.
It only took me a few minutes to realize that I was in a rather quiet town, with no activities and far from all hiking trails. What's more, there was hardly any bus service during the day if I wanted to explore the surroundings.
No matter. I decided to turn back and return to Naha to find more vibrancy. But in the process, I lost my €35 for a night I didn't stay. Oh well, that's part of the journey!
On the way back, I decided to stay at Santiago Guesthouse Naha, a very nice little place that I really liked for its living space. The staff was really friendly, and among them were volunteers who worked in exchange for free accommodation.
That's where I first met Maxime, a.k.a. Max en Solo, a Frenchman originally from Carpentras, a town not far from Avignon.
With his ES Baccalaureate in hand, he then pursued a STAPS degree. A year later, he ended up changing direction because the courses were too theoretical and not focused enough on sports.
His biggest dream: he wanted to travel, accumulate life values, gain experience in various fields, discover himself, and push his limits.
To achieve this, he tried to join the French Army, a career that was the best compromise for what he wanted to do, in addition to envisioning himself as a future soldier.
But fate had other plans. His eye condition prevented him from pursuing this path. It was a great disappointment for him.
He was determined to achieve his goal of being able to travel. By stringing together a few jobs to save money, he eventually embarked on his adventure.
At that time, Maxime was on a 1-year Working Holiday Visa to explore Japan. Before we met, he had already done several volunteer stints in various guesthouses all over the archipelago, from North to South.
He had a budget of about €10,000 to get by during that time, and his goal was to make the most of his time with other travelers, practice his Japanese, and hoped one day to live in Japan permanently.
During our conversations, I realized he was a true adventurer who wasn't afraid to travel off the beaten path.
He told me that on a whim, he had decided to walk across the entire Kyushu prefecture. Just to give you an idea, it takes over 3 days to walk from one end to the other. But he did it.
After traversing steep mountain roads, following country paths, and sleeping in forests and train stations at night, he eventually reached his destination.
The next day, we decided to explore Naha city to discover new spots, and at the same time discuss our situations, what brought us to travel to Okinawa, and what we thought about life in general.
Those were truly interesting discussions that I won't forget, because I saw in him a person with good values and who was ambitious to achieve everything he set out to do.
We settled into a bakery to simply continue our discussions, and that's when I realized we shared a lot in common: we truly love travel that fosters spontaneous encounters and deeply forge close bonds with fellow travelers.
After that trip to Japan, I also had the chance to see him again. It wasn't in France, but in Porto, Portugal. That was in the summer of 2024.
He told me he was going to leave everything behind to move to Japan starting in the new year 2025. And that's exactly what he did.
For 1 year and 3 months, he would study Japanese, and concurrently, find a job that would pay enough for accommodation and living expenses there.
Today, he now lives in Japan. Extremely pleased with his journey, and has no regrets about his decision.
Laura: an improbable encounter who I now share my life with
To conclude my article on the most beautiful encounters I made during my solo trip, I'd like to share my story that has since radically changed my life: the one where I met my current girlfriend during my trip to Portugal.
It was in 2024, in the middle of summer. At that time, it was the period of the Olympic Games in Paris.
Unlike other travelers who came to see the event, I preferred to get away from Paris for 2 weeks.
I had to choose a destination. Because booking tickets during peak season was really expensive.
On Instagram, I happened to stumble upon the Stories of my friend Max Solo (the one I met in Okinawa, remember?), who had returned to France after his Working Holiday Visa in Japan.
It turned out he was in Northern Portugal with his family for 2 weeks.
My gut told me to go see him there again. So I immediately looked up flights to Porto. And guess what, the price wasn't too bad!
I contacted my friend to ask if he was available to meet up in Porto. He said yes.
So I booked my tickets and packed my 30L hiking backpack.
A week later, I was off to Portugal.
Once I was there, I thought it would be a good opportunity to travel from city to city and discover what this beautiful country had to offer me.
For the first few days, I stayed 4 days in Porto to really soak in the city's atmosphere, and of course, see my friend Max again.
After that, I toured the North, visiting Braga, then passing through Coimbra, and finally enjoying the beach in Nazaré.
Throughout this journey, I hadn't met any travelers I particularly connected with. Most of them were more into partying, going out to local bars, without much depth in conversations.
Especially in Portugal, it was quite difficult to find good guesthouses/hostels that offered a more relaxed atmosphere, and where the country's culture took precedence over drinking games.
Except for one in Nazaré, whose atmosphere was calm, laid-back, and where the travelers I met were more in relaxation mode. That place was Paz y Amor Guesthouse.
It's a place located in the upper part of the city, and you get a beautiful view of the city's surroundings from the communal kitchen. The price is also very affordable for the quality of service.
As for me, I chose to stay in a mixed dorm with bunk beds for 3 days.
Upon entering the room, I found two people: a Colombian named Laura and a Chinese woman named Nan. They were chatting with each other.
As for me, I took the opportunity to put my things next to my bed.
It took me a few minutes to join the conversation, to introduce myself, get to know them a bit better, and share our travel experiences.
To my surprise, it turned out that Laura could speak French, as she had been living in France for a few years.
Time passed, and we all decided to go eat at a local restaurant to share a good time and continue our conversation in a friendly setting.
As our discussions progressed, I started having longer conversations with Laura because we got along very well.
Since my trip was flexible, I decided to stay 2 more days in Nazaré. I wanted to stay longer to talk with her.
For 5 days in total, we talked to get to know each other better, shared meals, and enjoyed being in a quiet town to walk around and explore.
What I truly liked about her was her calm and gentle nature when I spoke to her. It was through deep conversations that I got to know her and felt a sincerity in her words.
Ultimately, we shared the same vision of life and a desire to support each other in our endeavors.
Travel, discovering new cultures, sharing moments with others, living a simple life – these were the things we had in common.
We had mutual respect, as we only wanted the best for each other.
We gave each other space so that each of us could have time for ourselves.
We got along well, and the more days passed, the more I started to develop feelings for her.
After about a week, I decided I wanted to date her.
It only took a week for me to realize: “I think she’s the one.”
It's important to know that at that point, I wasn't looking for anyone at all.
I simply wanted to discover this beautiful country by traveling through it like an adventurer.
She herself told me that she had no intention of looking for anyone during her trip to Portugal.
Her goal was to rest for 5 full days to disconnect from the music projects she had been working on non-stop in recent months.
My travel flexibility really paid off this time. Because if I hadn't chosen to stay 2 more days in Nazaré, things could have been different.
I wouldn't have had the time to develop feelings or a true bond with her, and I might not be here to tell you this story.
It just goes to show, fate had other plans for us to now be sharing our lives together for almost 2 years.
Conclusion
I'm really happy that after all these years of solo backpacking experiences, I finally found the true reason to travel.
All these wonderful encounters have given me more self-confidence, teaching me to let go of my initial plans to build deeper connections with the people I meet, to take the initiative to start a conversation with a fellow traveler, and to trust my instincts.
I truly believe that by combining human connection with travel, every experience becomes unique, and you realize how fortunate you are to meet travelers or locals who have such valuable insights to share.
Every encounter is a source of inspiration that has allowed me to learn more about myself, what's good for me, and how I envision my future.
Personally, these 7 encounters have been the most impactful in my life, as they played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. Without them, things would have been very different.
