Solo Trip to Paris

My first solo trip was to Paris.  I had always wanted to go to Paris, but kind of hoped that I would go WITH someone.  Life didn’t seem to work that way and I wasn’t willing to wait anymore.  So, I bought a roundtrip ticket to Paris and decided I was going no matter what.  

The closer I got to leaving, the more nervous I felt.  I tried not to think too much about what “could” happen and did everything I could that would make me feel at ease.  I printed out airport maps, directions to my Airbnb, and created a daily itinerary.  I googled the safest areas of Paris and the parts to stay away from.  I got an RFID wallet to protect my credit cards and read all about how to be safe while traveling abroad.

I arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport early on a Saturday morning, but my suitcase didn’t.  It wasn’t easy, but I made it to my Airbnb and promptly began to cry.  “What was I thinking of going to a foreign country all by myself?!?”  Because I wanted to “live like a Parisian,” I didn’t stay in a hotel and was surrounded by people speaking French.  Even my Spotify commercials were in French!  I felt so alone.

The next day I had a full day of museums on my itinerary.  Because I didn’t have a ton of money, I was planning on going to a bunch of art museums that were free the first Sunday of the month.  So I had to suck it up and go with what I planned.  You know what happened?  I was so busy having fun, seeing amazing art, and eating amazing food that I forgot to be lonely.  I met other English speakers almost everywhere I went and we would trade recommendations.  I spoke French to my waiters and had no issues.  Everyone I interacted with was kind and helpful.  All of those worries about safety melted away.

On my first solo trip I learned that I could do hard things, that I liked my own company, and that people like me were all around waiting to talk about culture, travel, and life.  That trip was one of the best things I did for myself.  It was a chance to be my authentic self, doing what I wanted when I wanted.  It was a chance to spend time with myself and love myself by fulfilling a dream.

Solo travel isn’t just about the destination, but the journey inward.  Have you tried solo travel?  Where would you go?