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 I
get reacquainted with myself...
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 |
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I
talk to people...
I find that
the best cure for loneliness is also the most rewarding aspect
of travelling solo -- talking to people! Aside from that,
I always carry around a small album filled with photos of
family and friends as well as my hometown landmarks like Mount
Royal and snow. It's also fun to share these with new friends
to show them where I come from.
Melanie,
Montreal, Canada & Jerusalem, Israel |
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I
dine at home...
I spent a month
travelling Northern Italy on my own and I found an alternate
to dining surrounded by couples...it's not unique but as I'm
an early riser, I spent the better part of daylight absorbed
in my priority list of places to visit...after siesta I went
to the local grocery store and stocked up on prosciutto, wonderful
bread, fruit, cheese, mineral water and had a great dinner
in my hotel room...I travel with a batik wrap that doubles
as a tablecloth, small candle,...journal my activities from
the day, do some yoga and stretching and listen to my favourite
relaxation tapes that are always with me. By the time I did
my "dinner" ritual there was usually time to nip
out for a stroll or sit at an outdoor cafe sipping a cappuccino
and with early mornings it was quite good to get an early
night's sleep! As I said not very unique but this "ritual"
worked for me!
Selma, Vancouver,
Canada |
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I
travel with my computer and camera...
I'm the type
of Journeywoman who tends to get very absorbed in my surroundings
and generally I don't feel lonely when I travel alone. (I
have to confess I rather like it!). That said, I keep connected
with friends and family by always taking my laptop computer.
I send frequent emails and include digital pictures from that
day. This is cheaper and generally more hassle free than using
the phone, plus I don't have to worry about time differences.
My friends and relatives really love getting digital pictures
from the road.
Diane, San
Francisco, USA |
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I
go shopping...
When I travel,
if I get too lonely and I'm missing my family and boyfriend
I go out on a shopping spree. I choose only small things that
I can mail to my favorite people back home. This small exercise
chases away my travel blues and I'm ready to begin fresh the
next day. My boyfriend told me that this is a win-win situation
for him. He's happy that I miss him and he's also happy to
receive his presents.
Alex,
Alabama, USA |
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Tales
from women travelling solo...
 In
A Woman Alone, Travel Tales From Around the Globe,
29 women answer the question: Why go solo? This collection,
featuring the true-adventure stories of women travelling
in every corner of the globe, tackles the myriad obstacles
and successes of solo travel with honesty, warmth and
humor. If you've always wondered what it would be like
to go solo -- or if you're already packing your bags --
these essays will feed your wonderlust and inspire your
travel dreams. Edited by: Faith Conlon, Ingrid Emerick
& Christina Henry de Tessan Published by: Seal
Press
ISBN: 1-58005-059-X
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Women's
words on loneliness...
There have been weeks when no one
calls me by name.
Leah Goldberg, Nameless Journeys,
1976 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
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