Cheryl is originally from Canada but has been living in Berlin for the better part of 10 years. While she does have a day job working in Berlin’s startup scene, Cheryl is also a travel and Berlin life blogger at cherylhoward.com. She mostly writes destination and restaurant guides, features unusual places to visit, and tips for living in Berlin. You can follow Cheryl's adventures more closely on her blog and you can also connect with her on GAFFL.
Why I Travel
I’ve been travelling solo since 2007 when I went on a dream trip to the Galapagos Islands and a hike to Machu Picchu in Peru. At the time, I’d been in a pretty down state of mind as my father and grandmother died within a span of the year. The trip was challenging as I’d never travelled outside of North America and tears were shed many times, but I learned a lot about myself and grew as a result. Since then, I’ve travelled around North and South America, a tiny bit of Asia, and of course, my beloved Europe. I even moved to Berlin, Germany alone so I could explore every nook and cranny of the continent. I never would have had the confidence to do this if it hadn’t been for my solo travel adventures.
I keep on with solo travelling as I like the freedom to do what I please. I’m pretty independent, like being alone, and have a lot of fun on my own. I also have very specific tastes when it comes to travel and it’s hard to find like-minded individuals. In fact, I’m still looking for that perfect travel partner!
I’ve been to 43 countries to date! It’s hard to pin down a favorite, so I’ll name a few. Iceland for the pristine and beautiful landscape, Italy for the food and culture, and Montenegro for their Game Of Thrones like cities on the sea.
I've Met Some Great People During My Travels
I’ve met a lot of new people over the years but never established any long-lasting friendships. I’ve met people randomly either at hostels or even at restaurants and we’ve spent fun nights out together, but nothing ever really evolved beyond the moment. As I mentioned, I like being alone when I travel, so I don’t go out of my way to meet people.
I do have a few good memories that really stand out. While in Montreal, I met a few locals at a cool restaurant. After chatting them up, we became fast friends, and they invited me to come to a jazz club with them. We had a blast! Another time backpacking in Havana, I partied with other backpackers and spent an evening under the stars, laughing and sharing travel stories while drinking rum and smoking cohibas sold to us by a gentleman named Alfredo with gold-capped teeth. In Budapest, I went out on different nights with people from my hostel, as well as people I met on a caving tour (including an Italian cop from Venice with whom I had a brief romance). There were ruin pubs, night clubs, and a lot of alcohol involved.
