Essay Travelling Alone

For the drama of it all, I flew overnight so that I landed in Paris on my actual birthday. Packing only a carry-on.) I stayed at the beautiful Hôtel Providence.There was also a great restaurant and bar, so when I came back at night, there were people around.(In case you had any doubt that traveling couples are the default, consider how most hotels and other travel bookings cater to pairs.) And if she seems to be having a good time, we’re even more confused. And, sure, there are still very real safety concerns in some parts of the country and the world.

For the drama of it all, I flew overnight so that I landed in Paris on my actual birthday. Packing only a carry-on.) I stayed at the beautiful Hôtel Providence.There was also a great restaurant and bar, so when I came back at night, there were people around.(In case you had any doubt that traveling couples are the default, consider how most hotels and other travel bookings cater to pairs.) And if she seems to be having a good time, we’re even more confused. And, sure, there are still very real safety concerns in some parts of the country and the world.

When a man steps onto the road, his journey begins.

When a woman steps onto that same road, hers ends.” Even when women are portrayed as out in the world alone, there’s a twinge of pity.

Early in the trip, it felt good to have a purpose: I’m going to wake up and walk to this neighborhood and do that. The first day, I went to a spa and to see a ballet.

The next day, I went to a cooking class and a few museums.

When you’re a solo traveler, your itinerary is your partner in crime.

The first couple days were structured, and then, once I got more comfortable, it became free-flowing.

As such, women on the road were already raped, already dead.

Whereas a man on the road might be seen as potentially dangerous, potentially adventurous, or potentially hapless, in all cases the discourse is one of potential.

The first time I took an international trip alone, I was faking it. I tried so hard to pretend I was the carefree world traveler I desperately wished I’d been raised to be.

Well, it’s not like 20-year-old me pretended to fly to Paris and travel across Europe to visit a friend in Budapest. But in truth I didn’t really know how to have fun alone.