Right about now in a pre-Corona world, I would be landing in London, England excitedly rushing to change out of my airport ‘fit and explore the city. I booked a one way ticket from NYC to London on a whim & for a steal of $109. I planned on spending 5 days there. I’d hit Big Ben and all the tourist attractions first, leaving time to hang with the locals at their favorite bar. I’d wake up with a slight headache the next day but quickly gather the energy to put on a killer power suit in a fun floral color and head to morning tea.
After a few days in London I would then take a train to Paris (how Euro chic) and explore the city of lights. I’ve heard the clubs in Paris give NYC a run for it’s money and I was so eager to compare the two! I would kiss a handsome French man under the Eiffel Tower then never speak to him again, très romantique…. and dramatic but hey a girl can daydream. Anyway, after eating too many croissants and finding the perfect vintage goodies in tiny, tucked away shops I would be headed to Rome.
Oh, Rome. I imagined myself traipsing down cobble stone streets in a dreamy Jacquemus dress. My mules tap the stone gracefully with every step as the scent of fresh garlic fills my nostrils. I’d rush to finish the stracciatella gelato in my hand before it melts as I head to make a wish at the Trevi Fountain. Rome would’ve stolen my heart, I know it.
After Rome, I would be off to Barcelona where I’d spend my days tanning on the beach in a teeny bikini with a book in one hand and a cocktail in the other. A few new freckles pop up on my cheeks to say hello, as if they couldn’t resist experiencing Barcelona’s beauty. I’d explore the city at night with freshly sun kissed skin and loose waves seeking the best seafood paella the city has to offer. I hear the seafood in Barcelona is the freshest you’ll ever taste.
From Barcelona, a short plane ride would leave me in magical Lisbon, Portugal. The endless culture in Lisbon surely wouldn’t have been explored in a few days but I was determined to soak in as much of it as I could. From what I hear, Lisbon is a very grown & sexy kind of city. Think museums, fabulous bars and aesthetically delicious restaurants. It sounded like the perfect place to end off a trip that was essentially ending off my 25th year. I was also pretty excited to hear native Portuguese and compare it to what I remember from my time in Brazil…
My solo Euro trip would’ve lasted about 3 weeks but I was flexible with my time because one of these cities was bound to steal my heart. I hadn’t yet purchased my return flight because I knew I would’ve stayed a few days longer. Isn’t that the beauty of summer and solo travel? The days are long and the nights are longer but you never want it to end…
Of course I was looking forward to eating gelato in Italy, experiencing night life in Paris and sight seeing in Lisbon. But more importantly I was excited for the inevitable soul searching and growth that would occur. If you’ve never been on a solo trip I simply can’t recommend it enough. It sounds crazy but I’ve never had more fun on a vacation than when I went alone. The freedom that comes with doing what you want, when you want and where you want is liberating. You’re more likely to be open to meeting new people and trying new things rather than sticking to your crew & your comfort zone. Not to mention, that time alone with your thoughts and emotions forces you to see life and yourself in a new way. You’ll never return from solo travel the same person who left.
My whole purpose in taking this trip was to spend some much needed time alone, away from the comforts of home and further push myself out of my comfort zone. I intended on discovering more about myself through travel but what I’ve realized is I’ve discovered so much about myself right in these four walls. I guess sometimes going within can stretch you more than stepping out. There are parts of ourselves we avoid or are scared to explore and only in solidarity can they be realized. While I’d love to be discovering fabulous hole in the wall restaurants in Italy perhaps there were holes within myself that needed discovering first. The trip that never happened didn’t keep me confined because ultimately I explored deeper a world equally beautiful… myself.
We make plans and God laughs but I think there’s beauty in a life so unpredictable. I hope that whatever plans you had that were or will be disrupted by COVID-19 can teach you to grow in a way you wouldn’t have before.
Love,
G
