Boldly Go Solo

Travel’s better the first time around and solo travel brings you a lot of firsts

December 21, 2009

Last year around this time I wrote about holiday markets around the world. The post was prompted by a visit to Washington, D.C.'s holiday market.

The other day, I went back to the D.C. market. I have to admit, the second time was not as exciting.

That's the thing about travel for me. I always want to see something new. I want to go to a city or country I haven't been to rather than one I've already visited. Even if there's plenty left to see in places I've been.

Which is probably why I'm often a solo traveler. I only have so many travel days and so much money to spend. And, to get right down to it, only so many healthy years for traveling. (I don't know that number but I know it's not forever.)

So I want each experience to have great potential for discovery and not be too much of a repeat.

If I had to find a travel companion for every trip, I'd need to find someone who wants to go where I want to go and travel the way I want to travel. Good luck with that.

This winter, I have an opportunity to go on an inexpensive trip to Thailand with my travel writers' group. But I've been to Thailand.

I loved it and I highly recommend it. But it's a long way to go to see many of the things I've already seen. Don't get me wrong. I think I would thoroughly enjoy myself.

But such a trip also would alter wonderful memories I already have and it would take time and money from a more special trip to someplace new.

So I'm going to pass and dream on about China, or Japan, or some other country I haven't been. This is a choice I can make only because I'm willing to travel solo to live my travel dreams.

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A cat cafe in Yokohama Japan good for solo travelers seeking companionship

December 16, 2009

The best time to go to a cat café is during feeding time. In case you were wondering. That’s when the cats burst to life.

What, pray tell is a cat café, you ask?

I’ll let my friend Bob tell the story. Bob recently returned from a two-week visit to Japan. This was his 10th visit to the other side of the planet from where he lives in Washington, D.C.

While there, he visited a cat café in Yokohama called Neko Café Leon. “Neko” is "cat" in Japanese.

Tell us what exactly is a cat café?

These types of establishments have cropped up to meet the needs of cat lovers who can’t have pets in their apartments or don’t have them for other reasons. The staff at Café Leon consists of a few human employees and 17 cats of various sizes, shapes and colors.

For reference, the cats’ photos and profiles are displayed on the wall. The profile for Leon, a unique 2-year-old short-legged breed, indicates that he’s the café’s main cat.

Translated from the Japanese:
“Leon’s idol, Mr. Leon. The walnut-shaped eyes that look a bit powerless make you want to hold and protect him. Also, his charming feature is short legs that are typical of the Munchkin breed. His clumsy footsteps make everyone be crazy about him.”

Can you eat there too? Or would you even want to?

Although it’s a café, you can’t drink coffee and pet cats at the same time. The coffee shop is separate from the cat play room, which is filled with cat toys and things for them to climb and sleep on.

Before interacting with the entertainment, you must wash your hands and be aware of certain rules. In the play room, no flash photos or loud noises are allowed. In fact, the room was so quiet that it seemed more like a library with cats.

About half of the cats were sleeping on the job. Others were roaming around, playing or being pet by customers.
I don’t know if these cats were screened for their pleasant personalities, but they all appeared to be getting along. Two cats were chasing each other playfully, but I saw no fights.

The most startling thing that happened was when a cat suddenly jumped on my friend’s shoulders.

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Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts for single women scouring the continent for a date

December 14, 2009

A 30-something woman has written a somewhat amusing, partly crass (hey, my blog, my opinions) piece on her cross country dating adventure. The country being Canada. It seems to be connected to a PR campaign by a singles dating site, which surveyed women about their solo travel experiences.

The online dating site polled more than 2,000 single women about solo travel and found that 61 percent had traveled by themselves. The site finds this to be a "whopping" high number.

I don't. It's just that most travel writers pen stories about families or couples, and most coupled and familied (my blog, my invented word) people don't think about all the solos out there, having a grand time touring the world.

To continue…of those women who had traveled alone, 64 percent found it exciting. But, sadly, 36 percent said it they were "terrified." The news release doesn't say of what. Loneliness? Bears? What?

Anyway, the writer, with tongue in cheek I hope, offers such tips as: When you're in the Northwest, keep an eye out for indie rock stars but don't bother seeking out the "cute grunge guys." They don't exist anymore. Oy. (Lucky me, I've never been interested in cute grunge guys.)

Don't get overly attached to sailors or surfers because they don't commit. Now wait a sec. Did this person really head out West with the intention of finding a surfer for a long-term commitment? Or for part-time amusement while looking for a commitment? So let a sailor buy you a drink but move along quickly?

The 30-something writer claimed to be looking for a mate but here's the thing. I hope she has no problem with relocating or maintaining a long-distance relationship, because if she's on the hunt so far from home, those are likely scenarios.

Okay, take it all with a grain of salt (sea salt in this case, I suppose) and see if you find it funny. I, personally, would prefer to go out West to BE that sailor or surfer (or to try to learn how at least). And to have a great time on the road.
27 travel tips and what we learned in 2009 – a roundup of travel bits and pieces

December 7, 2009

I scour millions of pages of the Internet every day so you solo travelers don't have to. Below are some finds on lessons learned, cheap tips traded and discussion boards discussed:

Fodor's recently posted an entry on lessons learned from travel in 2009. One person learned from travel to third world countries how "very blessed with riches and people" she or he was.

Another learned that people can "communicate without any common language." Any English speaker who has traveled in a non-English speaking country understands the beauty of this. Smiles and pointing fingers can accomplish a lot.

Lonely Planet came up with 27 travel tips. One of the many tips I liked was to take your hobbies with you. A big soccer fan? Get tickets to a game while in Buenos Aires. An architecture buff? Take a walking tour when in a city like Chicago. Pursuing your passion while abroad is bound to connect you to people.

And honestly? If I go to one more church or temple…

These are the sights most often touted by guidebooks. The churches and temples. They're fine. Nice to see. Especially if you happen to be a church or temple buff.

But I don't go to them in my own city. I'd rather dig deeper and get behind the tourist sights. I've seen way too many small churches that didn't need seeing.

Check in with solo sites such as Tripadvisor's solo travel forum. Just as a for instance, an entry on Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, says that the city comes highly recommended for solo travelers, especially female solo travelers. The writer says it's one of the friendliest places on earth and that you never feel like you're alone.

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Solo travel in economically uncertain times

December 2, 2009

Lost a job but got a severance package? Now may be the time to travel. But your friends may still be working and unable to go with you.

Your job is safe but your favorite travel companion has lost a job? He or she might be hoarding pennies and be unable to join you.

In this topsy turvy economy, many people are traveling alone because family and friends don't have the money to join them, according to a foreign exchange Web site called Axia Fx. This sort of thing will pick up, according to the article, particularly if travelers want to go on a major adventure trip that doesn't appeal their friends. Whether it's skiing in South America or white water kayaking in Africa.

My opinion? I don't think now is much different from any other time in terms of finding a companion. People like to do different things and often can't travel when you want to go. The beauty of solo travel is you don't have to worry about those things.

So, got a severance package and feeling secure enough to travel first, search for a job later? GO!

What also hasn't changed is the single supplement. In a story in Britain's Mail Online, about going on holiday being a "necessity," a travel analyst says the solo travel market still has too many "punitive" single supplements.

This is not news.

"In the long run," said Tom Rees, senior travel analyst at Mintel, a market research company, "hotels and resorts that choose to specialise in providing high-quality accommodation for singles have the potential to create new demand in a large and relatively "under-travelled" segment of the population."

One can only hope.
Happy Thanksgiving, safe travels and enjoy that turkey and pumpkin pie!

November 26, 2009

I have to admit, this is the one time of year I'm thrilled not to be on the road. Or on the airplane. Or on the train.

Many people use the holiday to travel somewhere but I always spend it with family (except the one year I was a student in England and I didn't have a Thanksgiving, other than a phone call home from a telephone booth.)

Some years I travel to New York. Some years my New York relatives travel to my neck of the woods in Washington. A few of my friends flew to Iceland this year for a long weekend. Two others to Barcelona for a week.

Whatever your plans, I wish you a safe journey and good eatin'!

Ellen
Traveling solo in Japan, eating and sleeping cheaply

November 16, 2009

In my last post, my Japanophile friend Bob talked about some of his
favorite places to visit in his favorite country. In this post, he talks more
about traveling solo, why he loves Japan and the types of places he goes to eat and sleep when he
visits.

What so intrigues you about Japan?

The mix of modern and traditional cultures, the delicious food, great customer
service, and the discovery potential. Japan has all of the modern
conveniences imaginable, but also ancient traditions and architecture.

Tokyo, for example, not
only contains bustling neighborhoods with bright neon lights, but also serene
shrines and temples and beautiful gardens. However, I don't want to give
too much away because the best part of being in Japan is making your own
discoveries.

When did you first go to Japan?

It was about 15 years ago when a friend was working there as an English
teacher. He took me on a wonderful tour of Kyoto,
which contains the flavor of old Japan. That first visit to Kyoto made a lasting
impression.

Have you always set out solo or have you gone on trips to Japan with
friends before? What's your preference?

I've done both. The first time, I met some friends in Japan who had come from their home in Hong Kong. These days, I usually spend about half
of my time traveling around on my own and the other half with Japanese friends
I met here in the U.S. who
have moved back to Japan.

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Traveling solo around Tokyo, Kyoto and other places in Japan

November 10, 2009

Anyone who knows my friend Bob knows how much he loves all things Japanese. He's been studying the language for years in Washington, with Japanese language partners and in classes. He's even learning how to write kanji, one of three Japanese alphabets. The most complicated one from what I can tell.

Every time I turn around, Bob's off on another trip to Japan, including the time he rented out his apartment in Washington a few years ago and lived in Tokyo for several months, going to language school there and traveling around.

Having never been to Japan, I decided to let Bob talk about what it's like to travel around Japan solo. Usually, he splits his time during his vacations in Japan, visiting friends and then heading out on solo jaunts to explore new places. He's in Japan now. He answered my questions before he left. (btw, the women pictured at left are NOT geisha, but maiko. Find out the difference)

How many times have you visited Japan?

This trip is my tenth. Each time, I go someplace new that I found in my Lonely Planet guidebook, or that someone recommended.

What places do you like the best?

My
favorite places are Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima and Beppu. Tokyo may be too
crowded and modern for some people but I have found much to enjoy. In
the spring, for example, the cherry blossom trees around the Imperial
Palace are truly spectacular.

I
like the parts of Tokyo where you can see the remnants of old Japan.
Asakusa, a popular area with an ancient Buddhist temple and five-story
pagoda, is a good place to get started. It's also where you can find
all kinds of tourist gifts.

Close
to Shinjuku station, literally the busiest station in the world, is an
area called Omoide Yokocho, or Memory Lane. It's a maze of alleys
filled with tiny restaurants that were built after World War II and
serve tasty yakitori (grilled chicken on a stick).

For a sample of
great Japanese tradition, I would recommend visiting the old kabuki
theater in the Ginza district of Tokyo. Kabuki plays can last all day
but you can buy a ticket for just part of a performance for an hour or
two.

And if you don't understand the story (I didn't, even with an
English translation headset), just seeing the theater and the way of
performing is worth the visit.

I
think no trip to Japan can be complete without a visit to Kyoto. It's
where you can see the most of old Japan, with its many temples, shrines
and gardens, and possibly, a geisha in the Gion district.

Miyajima is a
small island near Hiroshima that is said to be one of the three most
beautiful places in Japan. I would agree. It is famous for its gorgeous
torii, or entrance gate, to a Shinto shrine sticking out of the water,
and deer that wander the streets.

Beppu is in the far western part of Japan, in Kyushu, and is known for its
numerous hot springs. In addition to the mineral water baths you can
also take mud and sand baths. Beppu's collection of nine bubbling hot
springs, known as "hells," are not for bathing. Just for viewing.

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Dining solo in Austin, Texas

November 5, 2009

Because I couldn't bear the thought of staring at the four walls of
my hotel room and eating a dreary dinner in a hotel restaurant, I
pushed myself to stick with my original plan: Dinner at Garrido's. A
casual Mexican restaurant somewhere in Austin.

The result? An action-packed night filled with squeaky bats, soft tacos, and a stroll through the Sixth Street Warehouse district of Texas' capital city.

I'd decided on Garrido's before I arrived in Austin. It had recently been given high marks by a Wall Street Journal writer reviewing the city's restaurant scene.

"At Garrido's, which opened in June, chef David Garrido marries
his background as the longtime chef at Jeffrey's, one of the fanciest
restaurants in Austin, to his Mexican and Texan heritage. In the
Tex-Mex tradition of a groaning platter, tacos are served with rice and
beans, but they're filled with mahi mahi, coffee rubbed rib eye or
lightly battered oysters."

And no entree costs more then $11. I was sold.

I thought it would be within a few blocks of the Hilton, where I was
attending a conference, but it was more like three-quarters of a mile
away.
I momentarily felt deterred. But I wasn't going to let myself back out of my plan.

Earlier, a work colleague had offered to keep me company if I wanted to go out to eat. She had a dinner with clients at 7:45 but she was willing to sip a drink while I ate.

I was tempted. Company for dinner! But I hadn't seen anything of Austin and this was my only chance. I'd spent two days cooped up in hotel ballrooms. If I went with her it would have to be early and someplace close. Instead, I stuck to my plan.

That doesn't mean I didn't feel uncomfortable heading off to dinner alone. What would I encounter? Would dinner be weird, sitting by myself? Always, always, always, I feel the apprehension. But 10 times out of 10, the apprehension is way worse than the actual experience of dining alone.

I headed out, walking briskly, hanging on to a map a woman at the reception desk had printed out for me. Eight blocks down Fourth Street. Turn Left.

The first couple of blocks felt a little deserted. I made a mental note to ask the restaurant about taxi service back. Right soon (don't you think they'd say something like that in Texas?) I came upon street art.

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Mexico’s Day of the Dead or All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day or Los Dias de los Muertes

November 1, 2009

Feliz Dia de los Muertes. That is, happy Day of the Dead (hm, maybe "happy" isn't part of the greeting?)

The holiday is celebrated in Mexico in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2.

It wasn't until after I returned from Mexico that I learned about the National Museum of Death. Sounds real enticing, right?

You want to see human skulls encrusted with turquoise? This is where you go. A case full of bloody crucifixes? This is the museum for you.

Fortunately, most of what I saw and learned about the Day of the Dead during my recent trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, was more charming than this macabre-sounding museum in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Which I did not visit.

I saw sugary candies, statues and candles of many a dressed-up skeleton. The first time I got wind of this holiday years ago, I was in Tijuana for a day.

I was quite taken aback. It seemed so, well, morbid. (uh, yah) Death is just not something we Americans are big on celebrating. Unless it's someone famous and we get a three-day holiday for it.

But as I've gotten used to the idea, I think there's something nice about it. The skeletons are a bit off-putting still, but it's nice to think that people take some time to think about loved ones they've lost. Celebrate their lives and pray for them.

I learned from the woman I lived with for five days while in Guadalajara that people set up altars in their houses or at schools to honor their loved ones who have passed away. If you set one up at home, you leave sugar skulls, marigolds and favorite foods and drinks of the person who died.

At school, to teach children history, the teachers set up an altar to one specific person, often an historical figure. The children research the person and bring an item that relates to what they've learned about that person.

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