I have a cliché for you that is all too true: You never know what you have until it’s gone.
Since arriving in Delhi, we’ve had so many incredible experiences as a group. We’ve seen a lot of awe inspiring sites as a group. We’ve been on some really cool adventures as a group. Are you seeing a trend here? Every time we want to go anywhere or do anything outside of the gate of our hotel, we have to go with at least one other person but it’s preferred that we go out with a group. Now, don’t misconstrue this as me not liking the people that I’m travelling with because I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them and spend time with them. However, I love exploring on my own. Having to always travel in our pack makes me feel confined and a bit ridiculous. We’ll ride around in our tall, air-conditioned bus and look down on all of the people down below. I always feel as if I’m not just literally looking down on them but also in a figurative sense as well. I find myself unconsciously seeing them as less than me, when more often than not, they’re much more than I could ever know.
With all of that to say, I finally ventured out on my own yesterday and the independence was glorious. I took the metro to meet with a friend from Delhi University in south Delhi. I went there and back by myself. When I arrived back to our hotel, I felt free. I wanted to tie a sheet around my shoulders and run around yelling, “I did it! I did it!” I love being on my own and not being dependent on those around me. I’m not about to run around Delhi by myself every day until we leave but I feel so much more confident in my abilities to navigate the city and to do things in smaller groups or by myself if necessary.
I never knew the amount of independence and freedom I had until it was swiped right out from under my nose by group activities and fear of getting lost.