To refresh your memory and mine, the last time I was here was March 2014. I was here for a total of 3 work weeks, but I came home every weekend and flew back every Sunday night. That was alright, I guess - but I got sick of watching Frozen on the plane every single time I flew out there. Like seriously... let it go.
 |
| It had to be done. |
This time I was here for 2 weeks straight. Which meant I had the weekend to myself. Which meant I better find something to do because I didn't just want to rot in my hotel room the whole time. Now truth be told I had been wanting to go on a solo vacation for awhile now - not to discredit all the fun I've been having recently with my travels - I just think there's something to be said about being free from making sure everyone is having a good time, or everyone agreeing on where they want to eat, or just anyone's general input. This time it was going to be me knowing what I want to do is what I get to do. Treat myself, yo. So with that, here's some things I've realized when you get to vacation alone.
DISCLAIMER: Although I did enjoy this trip out, it really wasn't my preferred adventure. I just really made do with what was given to me - being somewhere in Northern Canada, like obviously if I took this trip my own way I'd be somewhere a little more my taste.
Learning to Eat by Yourself
HOLY SHIT THIS. I don't know what it is about humans, but we tend to make up some bizarre sad story whenever we see someone eating alone. Then, we start to empathize (sympathize?) about what they're going through. Did they just get stood up? Are they super depressed? What's wrong with that person?
Really if I had to take a guess it probably comes from being the lonely fat kid at school who had the table to himself munching away on his feelings. It's a sad sight and it's a shitty thing for us to assume anything about a person but I think that's just the way we're wired because of media portrayal or whatever.
Anyway, this was a big hurdle for me, because I had a really bad case of what I just described above. But I needed to eat - and I wanted to eat out because free. Granted, I did get some room service here and there... and I also bought some snacks to munch on but that's besides the point. When you travel by yourself, you gotta learn to eat by yourself.
Sitting at a restaurant booth isn't so bad. You just kinda keep to yourself and eat. Amazingly, no one really bothers you except the waiter/waitress. Like this was some kind of profound revelation that I had. No one cares about you! It's kind of exciting. So you just carry on with your meal and before you know it, it's over.
Sitting at a bar... that's a little different. I went to eat at this place with some bar seating. It seemed like a real hip cool place so I didn't wanna take anyone's potential table space by sitting at one so I made my way to the bar area. Immediately I felt like everyone was watching me. Everyone saw me walk to the bar, bypass the first and second group of kids, and finally sit at an area with a few open seats. I felt like I was on display, like a fish in an aquarium. Everyone knew I had come there alone, and by the time my food came out, everyone knew that I'd be eating alone. Without the safety barriers of a booth - this one seemed a little harder to get comfortable with. Instead, I got a few drinks in me and shortly after it became a bit more comfortable. Even more so when people arrive at a bar themselves as well, though the rest of their party arrives soon after.
Really the take away is, people might be wondering about you for like a second, but I think in the end you'll be forgotten and no one will really care. And I guess - why should you? It's so easy to say but sometimes it can be hard.
Navigating around is less stressful, more social
 |
| Don't mind the picture, just rubbing in the great view |
...Anyway, if I were with a group of people I would start to nag or get a little antsy about what turn to make or where exactly we were or whatever. But when you're by yourself - you can make all the wrong turns you want and take your sweet ass time getting to where you need to be. It's just way less stressful overall and I think that was really awesome to experience. No backseat driving or ironic "are we there yet?" because haha that's so funny. And I'm guilty of both of those things. Also it's kind of rewarding figuring out things for yourself especially when your out in the middle of bumblefuck Canada.
The added bonus is the social aspect. Without any reference about where anything is, you're more inclined to ask for help and ask for directions. I ran into this old Asian lady after breakfast and we must have talked for about an hour or so about where I was, where I should go based on what I had planned, what routes to take, etc. It was a great experience and it made me more comfortable because in a weird way I didn't really feel like such a stranger in the area. I was more inclined to ask anyone else for there help (because it turns out some of the stuff she said was dead wrong) but at the very least I knew I was comfortable knowing I could ask for that help and maybe strike up some random conversations with the locals. In the end, however...
You're Still Very Alone
Now it might've been the nature of my plans whilst down here, but things got really existential for the rest of the day. I had gone hiking on a bunch of trails, took some great pictures, got a sweet tan (and sunburn), but all I really wanted at the end was someone to share that experience with me. Now if you know me at all, I have no issue with spending some a lone time - and sometimes I actually crave it.
With something like this, however, I think it might be best shared with someone you care about or a group of people you care about. The first hour or so of hiking were ok... it's new, your senses are still going crazy with all these new experiences - but once it all settles down it gets really quiet. Since I was alone I had taken some music and headphones with me, but when I got to a nice scenic point, I would take my headphones off to take a picture and it was just... quiet. And my mind went crazy thinking about how awesome the view was, how fresh the air was, how long I had to live, and wouldn't it be crazy if I just died here on the spot and if anyone would miss me? It was mess.
 |
| Pictured: me, probably |
There are some great things that you can accomplish when you travel alone. I never would've pictured myself doing what I did a week ago. You can literally break out of a couple more shells and come out of the experience a better person. Cuz I have to be honest, before I headed out for that 3 hour drive, I kept having second thoughts about whether or not I should do it. Really because of the safety aspect - like what if I get really lost, or what if I get injured, who's gonna take care of me if I get sick etc etc. Then a quick snap back to reality and you're already half way done with your drive. Pretty crazy stuff.
If you get the chance to do so - absolutely go for it, at least once.
ta ta kids
0 comments:
Post a Comment