Lisbon, Portugal

Traveling by myself is an experience of which I am forever grateful. I have learned independence, learned to lean more into God and not in people, and the beauty of listening only to the noises of my surroundings. However, traveling alone has also been a constant reminder of the people with whom I wish I were experiencing these adventures. Traveling alone gets lonely when you spend all day by yourself to come back to a hostel full of strangers. Traveling alone is draining because I’m constantly over-aware of my surroundings.

Lisbon was a challenging city for me to take on by myself. While there was beauty in this experience, and I got to see so many amazing things, it also put me in uncomfortable situations where I felt unsafe. People on the streets harassed me, and I feared for my safety several times.

Traveling alone in Lisbon brings about sadness, given the nature of my experience. Still, it also accompanied immense gratitude for my homes where I feel safe: my home with the people I love, my family and friends, and my home in Madrid, which brings me comfort and security. My prayer as I leave Lisbon is for all those who live in places where they perpetually fear for their safety and lives. As you read this, join me in a heart of gratitude for your home and prayer for those whose homes are not a place of refuge.