Travel Zette

I often hear ‘you are very brave’ when I travel on my own. I’ve been traveling continuously over the past 4 years and 90 percent of my trips have been solo. I know it takes a bit of courage to take a trip on your own but it has also provided me with some wonderful experiences. I often travel with last minute deals which can make it difficult to find someone to join me. What I enjoy about solo travel is the freedom to do whatever I desire in the moment. When we travel to a new place, outside of what we know, we must think differently, form new thought patterns as we learn and tap into that little explorer in us all!

I have met many people on my travels with the time and resources to travel but have fears about traveling solo. It can be intimidating and I know the feeling. I got my first passport at the age of 30 for a trip to Paris which was something I had dreamed about for many years. After a long flight to Frankfort from LAX, then changing planes to fly to Paris, I was quite exhausted. I had a wild cab ride through the crazy traffic circle at Place Charles De Gaulle (Arc de Triomphe) to my hotel on Rue de l’Odéon. It was late in the afternoon when I arrived there and I was excited to be in Paris but a bit scared to venture out on my own. I decided to take a walk around the block and quickly returned to my room. Here is what I wrote in my travel journal:

Friday – 20 Sept ’91

Le premier jour

I finally made it to Paris. Does not seem like I am really here. I am afraid to leave my hotel room. I am very uncomfortable alone on the street. Too many looks and am sure they know that I am a foreigner. So here I am alone in my room eating water crackers and drinking Evian! I feel very intimidated speaking French and do not try as often as I could. When I do everyone seems understand.

It would be another 10 years before I returned to Paris in December of 2001. My passport had just expired and when I sent it in for renewal, it was processed in less than 24 hours. It was a month after 9/11 and they told me it was the only passport renewal they received that day. I had actually found a round trip airfare from LAX for $407 that I could not pass up. Having Marriott points from work travel, I was able to book the hotel on the Champs Elysées, normally well out of my price range. I came for my birthday and spent less than a week, but I ventured out and found some new favorite places in Paris.

My next solo trip would be to Australia two years later. I had planned to go for two weeks, scheduled time off work and was looking forward to it. When the time came to book travel, I did not feel up to traveling on my own. I did nothing but kept the planned time off in April. On the way in to work the Friday before my two weeks off, I began to think, why should I not go just because no one can join me? I arrived at work, called Qantas and found a great round trip airfare, booked a hotel in Sydney at Circular Quay with my hotel points and a flight to Melbourne where my return to LAX would depart. I booked flights and hotels in less than 2 hours and I left 5 days later. This solo experience changed it all for me. I loved Sydney, and discovered some wonderful places on my own explorations. I flew to Melbourne, and when I got off the plane, I checked for an available car rental and found a nice deal. I decided to take a couple days to drive along the Great Ocean Road before returning to the city for a few more nights. I flew back to LAX via Melbourne, more excited than ever to travel to the many destinations I dreamed about knowing that going solo was a great option.

I traveled solo but was part of a group expedition to Antarctica in 2009. The roommate assigned by the tour company was unable to make the trip and I was fortunate to have my own room for the 30 day expedition. This was a beautiful gift at a very difficult time in my life and turned out to be the start of a life change for me. When I returned home after this incredible experience at the bottom of the world, things began to fall apart as I soon discovered is the beginning of a true life transformation. In 2011, the company where I had worked for 12 years closed my division and I found myself without a job. I was rehired later that year being advised that the department may be temporary. Based on this information, I chose to sell my home, donate or sell almost all my belongings and eventually sold my car. About the time I was ready to travel, the department downsized and my position was eliminated. I was probably the happiest person being laid off work that day. A couple of months later, in June of 2014, I was  Off to see the world…

My travels have taken me to 44 countries on 6 continents and I’m currently in Paris for my sixth time. I’ve discovered many wonderful things about solo travel over the years and the best is the freedom it provides. There are times when I feel a bit scared but take it one step at a time. If it feels right, I keep going. I learned to trust my instincts and honor what I need. I often feel compelled to be out doing things every day but have found that sometimes I need down time to let myself relax and recharge. I began to think that perhaps travelers considering a trip on their own, would benefit from support or guidance with planning an itinerary. Like riding a bicycle, we don’t just get on, balance and go. We either had training wheels or someone to balance the bike while we rode and let go when we were ready.

I believe everyone should travel solo at least once to feel the sense of accomplishment at having traveled on your own.  It’s truly a gift of joy and confidence to invest time in you!