When I'm traveling alone I enjoy the freedom to go where I want and when I want but (I admit) I often do get lonely. When I want to share some special place or some laughs I just reach out to other single ladies in public places -- like a restaurant or hotel lounge, or touristy area. If I pay attention to their body language and I notice them looking around or looking rather alone themselves, I say "Hi". I wait to see what response I get. If it's a smile and a little sigh of relief, I introduce myself and tell them I'm travelling alone and I start up a conversation telling them why I'm there and ask something, about them. It's easy in an airport because I always start off by asking where someone is coming from or going to. In a tourist area, I can always comment on the area, "Isn't this beautiful" or "amazing".

Also, I go to specialty stores of my interest at a slow time of day and strike up a conversation with the clerk or owner. I can usually make connections because they live there. Or they can suggest local places of interest to visit, shop or eat. Often, that little personal connection will drive away the loneliness for a while. Being surrounded by lots of people most of the time, I use travelling alone as a special time for me to have with myself --to really hear myself think and feel. Often, (we) women are hearing and feeling for everyone around us and we don't hear what we think and are strangers to our own feelings. When you travel alone, you can really get re-re-acquainted with yourself! Here's to great adventures and new acquaintances for all JourneyWomen around the world.
Brenda, Las Vegas, USA

The loneliness persisted like incessant rain.
Ann Allen Shockley, Spring Into Autumn, 1980

Loneliness is the poverty of self;
solitude is the richness of self.
May Sarton, Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing,1965

Loneliness is black coffee and late-night television;
solitude is herb tea and soft music.
Pearl Cleage, In My Solitude, 1993

Women especially are social beings, who are not content with just husband and family, but must have a community, a group, an exchange with others. A child is not enough. A husband and children, no matter how busy one may be kept by them, are not enough.Young and old, even in the busiest years of our lives, we women especially are victims of the long loneliness.
Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness, 1952