Learning to be Enough: Ruchi’s Solo Trip to Azerbaijan with Thrillophilia
Ruchi stood at the edge of the Caspian Sea in Baku, watching the waves crash against the shore as the sun dipped below in the distance. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let the cold, salty breeze fill her lungs. She couldn’t believe she’d made it to Azerbaijan, alone. Just a month ago, she’d thought this trip was impossible without him. But here she was, standing by herself, heart open to whatever came next.
Some Backstory…
It had all started back in New Delhi. Ruchi was a theater artist who spent most of her days rehearsing lines and performing in front of audiences. Life felt alive on stage, but offstage, things weren’t so bright. She was going through some tough times in her personal life.
Ruchi was doubtful about the trip now and introspected about the possibilities. She wanted some time off- from the busy schedule, from life in general. Therefore, after having an elaborate discussion with the team at Thrillophilia, she decided to go for a solo trip.
At first, the idea sounded terrifying. She’d never traveled alone before, let alone to a foreign country. The thought of facing the unknown by herself filled her with both excitement and fear. But something in her was stirred. What if she really did this for herself? After days of back-and-forth, she finally decided to give it a shot.
And that’s how she found herself in Azerbaijan, on a solo journey she hadn’t planned but was now completely her own. The Thrillophilia package covered everything she’d need- from comfortable stays in Baku to planned trips to remote villages and ancient sites.
The First Taste of Travelling Solo
As soon as she arrived, Ruchi felt a strange, thrilling freedom. There was no one to consult, no one’s mood to manage, just her and it felt intoxicating.
Her first day was spent in Baku, wandering through the Old City, a maze of cobblestone streets, ancient architecture, and stories etched into every wall. She met a group of fellow travelers who invited her for tea, and she shared her story.
One of them, a local artist named Leyla, listened intently and then smiled, saying, “Maybe this was the universe’s way of giving you a gift. Solitude can be beautiful.” Those words stayed with Ruchi. Solitude- was it possible she could learn to love it? Was it possible to get rid of the habit of a person by your side, all the time?
Art Makes You Creative; Travel Makes You Free
Over the next few days, she ventured out of Baku, exploring places she’d never even heard of. In Gabala, she hiked through lush, green mountains, her feet crunching over fallen leaves, and her breath clouding in the chilly mountain air. The silence of nature surrounded her, and she began to feel a growing peace in her own company. Without anyone else’s opinion to shape her experience, she could feel her own thoughts and emotions more clearly than ever before. It was as if the mountains were teaching her to listen, not just to the world around her, but to herself.
One day, while exploring Sheki, she met an elderly woman named Farida, who ran a small shop selling handmade silk scarves. Ruchi tried to communicate despite the language barrier, and with Farida’s warm smiles and patient gestures, they shared stories- one through words, the other through laughter and gestures.
Before Ruchi left, Farida handed her a scarf, refusing to take any money, and said in broken English, “For you, to remember that you are enough.” Those words struck her deeply. She wasn’t just a half waiting to be whole with someone else- she was enough, just as she was.
Next, she explored the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, marveling at the ancient carvings left by people thousands of years ago. As she traced the lines etched in stone, Ruchi felt connected to the unknown artists of the past, who’d expressed themselves in art much like she did in theater.
For the first time, she didn’t feel the need for anyone else’s validation. She felt whole, content in her own presence.
On her last evening, she took a walk along the Caspian Sea, letting the waves crash around her feet. She thought back to the person she’d been before this trip, and the woman she was now. The difference felt monumental, yet natural, like she had always been meant to grow into this version of herself. She had learned to be her own companion, her own support, her own love. She had learned that sometimes, solitude wasn’t loneliness- it was a gift.
As the plane began to ascend, she felt tears prick her eyes and a mixture of joy, gratitude, and pride washing over her. She remembered the quiet mountains of Gabala, the wise words of Farida in Sheki, and the fiery mountain of Yanar Dag.
She had thought she was coming here to fill a void, but she had left with a heart fuller than she had ever imagined. She realized she was no longer just surviving- she was living.
In that moment, she understood something profound: sometimes, life has to break us open to rebuild us better.
Read more: Azerbaijan Reviews