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I am finding my way back to myself again. slowly, patiently, intricately. I am finding roads in between my heart and my mind that connect. I am finding melodies that taste good on my soul. I stray and i take detours occasionally, but I am finding my way back to myself again.

Unknown

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Travel Solo

Every couple months I rack up enough airline miles on my credit card to take a free trip.  But finding friends to travel with is sometimes a problem.  Not a big deal.  Maybe I’m just enough of an introvert that solo travel doesn’t bug me.  Or maybe I’m just enough of an extrovert that I usually make friends.  Regardless, I’ve got solo travel pretty wired.

Have ideas, not agendas. Before I arrive I usually surf the internet for a couple hours looking for things to do.  I write down three or four bars, a few restaurants, some museums, etc.  I also ask my traveling buddies if they know anywhere cool.  That’s it.  I don’t make reservations. I don’t buy tickets ahead of time.  I don’t have any specific plans.  Part of the fun of traveling solo is the freedom to do whatever you want, exactly when you want.  Don’t limit yourself with a schedule.

Cabbies know best.  It’s cheaper to take public transportation from the airport.  But I usually spring for a cab.  You want to find a cabbie that looks like they speak English and doesn’t have a headset in their ear (seriously, who are they always talking to?)  A good cabbie is proud of his city and will give you the inside scoop.

Find some culture.  When people think of culture they usually think of museums.  I love museums but that’s not the only way to get some culture.  You’re looking for places where creative locals hang out.  Think farmers markets, street fairs, and parks.  It’s the best way to get the feel for a city.

Do something active.  You can’t just eat and drink all day.  Trust me, I’ve tried.  You need to do something active.  This weekend, I hiked to 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains.  Maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but I had a spiritual experience.  I came back feeling like I had accomplished something other than utter gluttony.

Talk to strangers.  This is easier for some than it is for others.  But everyone gets better with practice.  Here’s an easy ice breaker:  Ask someone to take a picture of you.  They won’t say no.  When they’re done, ask if they’re from the city and if they have any recommendations.  It will get the conversation rolling. (Side note: Don’t look at your pictures until after your trip.  Part of the fun is remembering how much fun it was.)

Dine like a champ.  About five years ago, I went to a nice steakhouse in New York.  You know, the kind that cost a couple hundred a head.  I saw a man sitting in the middle of the restaurant, totally alone, with a big smile on his face.  Now whenever I travel solo, I make sure to go to nice restaurant.  I know why that guy was smiling.  When you don’t need to concentrate on carrying a conversation, you get to concentrate on the taste.  Take your time and indulge.

The right bar.  After a nice dinner, you should be looking for a bar.  I try to find one that’s quiet and has an interesting cocktail menu.  Sit at the end of the bar and don’t be afraid to chat up the fellow patrons.  This weekend I tried a “Hair of the Frog” at Beatrice & Woodsley.  The place was a little too romantic but the cocktails were amazing and the ladies across the bar were looking for company. 

Keep it short.  I usually make a solo trip three days.  Any longer and I get a little bored.  A condensed trip will keep you active and doesn’t let you just hang out in your hotel room.  If you’re doing it right, you should be exhausted by the time you get on the plane.

Once you start traveling solo, you’ll realize that this world is filled with amazing strangers.  Once you realize this, you’ll never feel alone.  This is a life lesson that goes beyond travel.  It’s the foundation of a perspective that creates a fulfilling life.

Find out How to Live the Life and check it out on Facebook

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I took a 7 week coast to coast road trip after being laid off from Boeing. I didn’t have a camper but realized that being able to pull off the road at a rest or truck stop was the way to go to make the trip affordable. With a few sheets of 1/2” plywood and misc. hardware this is what I came up with. The effort was well worth the time and materials.

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In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

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Happy Birthday \m/\m/

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cr:  howmental

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Can relate to a lot of this

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Santa Monica Cabin

© M. Beavers

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Liberal Memes