Every now and then I like to point to someone else's list of good reasons for traveling alone and tips on how to do it, since I don't make those lists. But a refresher course is handy every so often.
In this post, "Travel Alone and Love It" the writer offers common sense advice and information. One tip is to pack light enough to travel with only carry on luggage. This is good advice for any number of reasons, not the least of which is that nearly every airline charges for extra for checked baggage these days.
But the 50-tips post points out that taking only carry-on luggage also saves you the time waiting in lines at check-in and at a baggage carousel upon arrival. And it eliminates the risk of losing your luggage. Or having it delayed by hours or days (This has happened to me way too many times.)
But this other post explains another good reason for packing light. Free flights. If you have the time and flexibility to volunteer your seat on an overbooked flight in exchange for money or flights, the airlines often prefer travelers who haven't checked luggage. Saves them having to burrow through the bowels of the airplane looking for your black luggage which looks like everyone else's black luggage.
Now I'm going to admit a dirty little secret. As a traveler lover, I pine for free flights. (okay, that wasn't too dirty, or much of a secret but what can you do?) When I'm traveling solo, I can choose to volunteer at every opportunity. I don't have a companion sitting there dying to get home. Or one who rolls his or her eyes at my desire to spend four more hours in the airport in exchange for a future adventure, care of Airline "X."
Which brings me to the final blog post I'll point out because I love how it described some people's reaction to traveling solo. It seems a therapist is writing it because the word "session" is used. Here it is:
"One of the obstacles I get handed in session is the holiday quandary. Who can I go away with? My partner/friend is broke/earns less money/hates the sun, mountains, beaches, cities, etc. When I suggest they travel alone a visible gulp resonates the room. ALONE? Traveling alone is akin to swimming with crocs it seems. The mere thought turns the face into a scrunched-up well-blown hankie. ALONE? Yes, on your own, by yourself. BUT WHAT WOULD I DO?"
And we all know the answer to that last question by now. In unison, please:
ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING YOU WANT TO!
Photo: Ellen Perlman. My three, count 'em, three passports so far. All of those little legal books have seen loads of solo travel and new friends all over the world. The current one is good until 2013. Hooray.
Comments