solo travel

[txgirl]

I will be going on my very first solo trip in May. Very excited and a little nervous. I think I'll be fine for the most part except for mealtimes when I'll have nobody to eat with. This is kind of like my hang up with going to the movies alone, which I've conquered. Who else here feel the same way about eating alone and how do you get over it?

[sophie]

If this your trip to Bali, it is very easy to meet other travellers there..and the odd time you may be by yourself, you can pick a spot where you can get a quiet moment..

[txgirl]

Yes its Bali. I'm not staying at hostels though. In some places I'm actually staying at very nice boutique hotels, so hope that is still the case.

Btw, where did you go in Bali on your last trip?

[ozziegiraffe]

I usually carry something to read, for when I get bored with people or scenery watching.

[Oweena]

I'm the same as ozziefiraffe, I always have a book with me.

Of course I like to go out and eat alone, it's never bothered me.

[elora]

take a book - eat at the counter if there is one - don't be frightened to eavesdrop and butt into someone else's conversation (some times this works and some times it doesn't) - ask questions - accept invitations even if you are only half keen on the idea ... just take the time and observe people, enjoy your food

[sophie]

My trip was a last minute package (thus an incredible deal) and I stayed in Sanur, but went all over. It was fast and quick, enough to convince me to return there another time for a leisurely stay.. But maybe when it isn't so steamy.

[watsoff]

I always travel solo and have no problem eating alone. Sometimes I prefer it that way, other times it's nice to interact with others, both locals and visitors. I think the only country I've been to where interacting with locals was a bit difficult is Japan, every other country I've been to it's been easy to meet someone either for meals or for outings. One of the easiest, apart from the South Pacific nations, was Bali.

[txgirl]

I'm glad I chose Bali for my first trip then! I was initially going to go to Japan, but was craving the tropics. I'm glad that it seems solo travel friendly.

[whothingie]

Another one who takes a book (or kindle). If you are going to Bali please take care with any alcohol you drink - stick to beer unless you are really sure that a spirit bottle has not been tampered with. We lost a family member to methanol poisioning from tampered spirits.

[txgirl]

Thanks. Since I'll be alone, I had no intention of imbibing, but good to know nonetheless.

[HalcyonDaze]

Last time I was eating alone at a restaurant, I looked round at the other tables and saw loads of couples spending most of the meal time messaging on their iPhones, and not actually talking to each other. So I decided that with my chats to the waiter and general people watching I was being much more social!

Taking a book is a good idea, and sitting somewhere outside if the weather is good so you can get maximum people watching also works.

[go2]

A smile is a great introduction; it's non-threatening and opens the way for conversation.
I generally say hello to fellow diners when I arrive, then leave it up to them if they want to talk. Quite often, they do. For those times when they don't, a book is useful.

[ozziegiraffe]

I realise on my recent trip to Perth, in the times when I was playing tourist, rather than being with family, I spent a lot of time playing with my new smartphone, either downloading and reading free books, or taking photos (on a river cruis).

[crazycat]

I never go anywhere without a book in my bag when I travel alone.

[sprite]

smile.
book.
take pictures.
go through camera and make notes about pictures. (i take a lot of pics whch make no sense later)
jot notes to myself about highlights of the day.

[MsU]

What they said.
I like eating alone. I read, I write in my journal, I draw.
If I am in the mood for it I talk to staff or other guests.

[viv]

I eat alone every day of the year (well, near enough). If I can do it in my own home, I can do it anywhere!

Get in some practice - take yourself off out for lunch or dinner a few times. I take my Kindle everytime I go out for lunch like that. I've eaten alone in lots of countries now, and I'm not phased by it. And I drink. Not to the point of drunkenness, but a few with dinner and maybe a last one at the hotel if I feel like getting squiffy.

[Webs]

How did I get over it? I got hungry. Really hungry.

[Deleted]

My favorite trips are the ones I took alone. I really really miss it. I envy you. Have fun.

[stav]

Yay, solo travel:-) I don't really worry about the food thing because I'm not one for three big sit-down meals every day anyway. (If I'm traveling with other people, I get bored if they want to spend so much time on that.) If I'm traveling alone, I'll get coffee and juice (or some little breakfasty thing if you want) from the hotel if they have it, or from a coffee shop or bodega-type store. I also like to shop at a local supermarket or farmers market sort of place, and just get fruit and other things I can take with me and eat in my room, or sitting on a park bench, or whatever. Or if there are places that sell ice cream cones or smoothies or pretzels or whatever, street food you're meant to walk around with or take to a nearby outdoor space, I'll get that . Eating by myself in restaurants is just boring and weird, imho. So you don't have to do it unless you want to.

[tzarine]

i have no problem eating solo.
i read a book.
halycon,, so true about couples texting while together at the table. don't know if it's amusing or pathetic.

[MsBelleRae]

There's nothing wrong with disengaging with your partner. Often by the time we sit down to eat, I'm so hungry I can't think straight, and I've just spent the whole day talking with him, so sitting down to a quiet meal is comforting.

And as much as I enjoy Flash's company, it's also nice to touch base with the rest of our lives and the world once and awhile, and we're not going to do that while walking around. Why not check in while we're refueling?

[elora]

Apr 8, 2013 15:27:31 GMT -5 tzarine said:

halycon,, so true about couples texting while together at the table. don't know if it's amusing or pathetic.

ha - husband and I do this all the time. Well, maybe not texting but reading or doing other stuff.

[canayangel]

another once for book/kobo/book-on-phone to read. i have no problem eating alone. however i do prefer having my breakfast in my room first thing in the morning, so i always carry an immersion heater to boil water, my own coffee (instant Starbucks is not bad) and some fruit and/or biscuit and Laughing Cow cheese. even when i go out for breakfast, i carry the instant coffee with me, because most hotel/restaurant coffee is shit!

[watsoff]

Ditto exactly what Sprite said, particularly making notes from pictures, I often forget what/where it is I've shot:

"smile.
book.
take pictures.
go through camera and make notes about pictures. (i take a lot of pics whch make no sense later)
jot notes to myself about highlights of the day."

[tinaja]

I read or journal when eating solo. Its gotten to be less of a big deal the older I get. In casual settings a conversation with others usually gets going. And do I feel awkward? Sometimes yes, but in the bigger scheme of things, it does not matter. If it bothers you a whole lot, go out for lunch and just snack for dinner. I have to say going solo allows me to absorb more of the trip than with someone. I've been to a couple of resorts that have community tables where they sit the solos. Good way to meet people.

[lillielangtry]

Yes, I did what tinaja suggests in Madrid - there were plenty of restaurants with lunchtime set menus, so I had my proper meal then which somehow feels less awkward, and just had a snack in the evening. Plus the Spaniards don't start eating dinner til at least 9pm, and I don't like that, so it worked out better.

[sprite]

join a couple of cooking classes?
i did this on our holiday last week, and had a great time--great food, laughs, and enjoyed comparing notes with other people.

[ozziegiraffe]

I did the lunch meal/dinner snack thing when stuck for an extra week in Athens. They start eating late there, too.
Sometimes, I want to be alone. I would not always appreciate being stuck on a community table.