The Year I Stopped Waiting to Travel
🌍 I Finally Stopped Waiting for Someone to Travel With Me
For years, I waited.
Not to travel — I traveled plenty. But always with kids, husband, and family in tow.
Between school drop-offs, sports schedules, family vacations, and running a busy medical practice, every trip was full of motion — but not always mine. Somewhere between airports and obligations, I started wondering: What would it feel like to travel just for me?
Not as mom. Not as planner. Just Heba.
So one day, I stopped waiting.
🇨🇳 China — The Trip That Started Everything
My first solo journey was to China — a healthcare exchange program that I joined mostly out of curiosity (and maybe a touch of restlessness).
I didn’t know anyone. The group was a mix of medical professionals from all over the world, and I remember sitting on the first bus ride wondering what on earth I’d signed up for.
But somewhere between the hospital visits and a dumpling-making class that went hilariously sideways, I met two women who changed everything.
They were open-hearted, adventurous, and full of laughter — the kind of women who find joy in small moments and can make even a long travel day feel like a party.
That trip didn’t just spark my love for travel; it ignited a courage I didn’t know I had. And it built a friendship that’s lasted thirteen years — thirteen years of traveling together, laughing until we cried, and collecting stories that feel like chapters of a shared book.
China was just the beginning.
🌿 South Africa — The “Golden Girls” Era
A few years later, the three of us joined African Impact in South Africa — a volunteer program that focuses on conservation, wildlife, and community development.
We spent our days teaching, helping with projects, and learning about anti-poaching and big cat research. Early mornings blended into late-night safari drives, and somehow we always had the energy for “just one more story” before bed.
Most of the volunteers were young — gap-year twenty-somethings full of big dreams and endless playlists. And then there was us: three slightly older women who came prepared with snacks, sunscreen, and a sense of humor.
It didn’t take long before the group started calling us The Golden Girls. And honestly? We loved it.
It was light, a little chaotic, and full of heart — exactly how travel should be.
🇪🇬 Egypt — Home, But Through New Eyes
Then came Egypt — a trip that felt like coming full circle.
This time, I wasn’t discovering a new country; I was sharing my own. I brought along a few friends who had always dreamed of visiting, and I got to show them my Egypt — through family meals, laughter, and those little cultural moments that never make it into the guidebooks.
We wandered through Khan El Khalili, snorkeled in the Red Sea, and rode camels near the pyramids just because we could. We ate everything — from koshary in Cairo to seafood in Dahab — and ended every day full of food, stories, and gratitude.
There’s something magical about watching people fall in love with the place that shaped you. It made me see it all — and myself — with new eyes.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
After thirteen years of shared adventures, I’ve learned that travel with women has its own rhythm. It’s laughter that fills the quiet. It’s late-night chats that go on longer than they should. It’s looking out for each other without even realizing it.
Those trips reminded me that adventure doesn’t have to mean going far or doing something wild. Sometimes it’s simply saying yes to what lights you up — and sharing it with women who just get it.
💛 To Anyone Still Waiting
If you’re waiting for the “right” people or the “right” time, here’s the truth: they may be waiting for you, too.
Book the ticket.
Join the trip.
Say yes to something that feels a little bit yours.
Because the world isn’t waiting on you, love.
It’s calling. 🌎
With love,
Heba
🌼 The Dandelion Journals
P.S.
If you’re new here, welcome to The Dandelion Journals — a travel community for women exploring the world with heart, connection, and curiosity. ✈️ You can always see our upcoming meetups and trips here.
