I am tired at looking at myself in the mirror so I wanted to find something better to look at.
As I am sitting here going a little crazy indoors I can’t help but to look at some previous travel photos and plan out future travels. Here are a few… Can you guess where they are from?
So during my solo trip in Iceland last year I was very single and ready to mingle. So I hit the bar scene and made some very nice queer friends including a girl I had a little fling with. All was fun and games but I wanted to share some tips about where to go in Reykjavik to mingle as a queer person.
Hlemmur square is actually described as an “upscale hotel and restaurant” but if you sit at the bar, you can look around and find several other queer people including the bartenders. Many young and older people frequent there and have a great time. The chef is also very nice and loves to give hugs 🙂 Pro tip, don’t hit on a bartender though… most are taken.
KiKi is a late night bar most definitely. I would go there after eating at Hlemmur Square and after having a couple of drinks at the next bar I will mention. They have great music and dancing (and cheaper drinks too!). Be ready to stumble home at 4am back to your hostel after going here.
This was by far my favorite bar as everyone was so friendly and this is where I really got to bond with my peers in Iceland. I got free drinks from the bartender because I was traveling by myself and it was just such a great place to catch a few drinks and hit up a conversation.
And that’s it! I went to other bars and music spots but not any I can recommend right now. I can post some other recommendations like best places to catch a quick bite or go for a dip in another post.
Have a great day beloveds ❤
The yellow glow of sun
on my skin
Taste of coffee
on my lips
The booms of laughter
in the air
You pull your scarf off as we venture out of the city
I can see you so clearly
I watch you as you speak so passionately
Completely captivated by you
We get lost, turn around
Laughter again fills the air between us
We pull up to the trail and set out
On our tiny adventure
Smelling the barbecues, hearing the voices of children, seeing the colorful hammocks
We both feel at home
We see the water
Off come our clothes
Her eyes gazing into mine
We float in the water
Gazing up at the sky
Picking rocks, holding hands
Hours may have gone by
But we still sit here
Gazing into each other’s eyes
Allons-y! Allons-y!
This is the first thing I hear after a bumpy start to my Paris trip. As I wait for my Airbnb host to pick me up (so grateful for that), I just look around and let it set in that I am actually in Paris. Met my host and took a long train ride and bus ride to my temporary home. I spent the first night taking an extra hot shower after the long journey, playing french music, and reading the french dictionary…. I should’ve brushed up on my french before getting here.
The next morning I wake up and pinch myself as the view was so beautiful. Paris has such a warm and inviting feeling to it, even when the weather is a bit chilly. At this moment, seeing the sun rise as I got ready to head out for a relaxing day, my breath is just taken away at the sights.
After taking in the sites, I was off to catch the train back into the city to head to the Tour de Eiffel for a lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel restaurant and also to just explore. The restaurant had a fancy feel to it and you prepay for the meal so you can just eat and enjoy without worrying about prices. There were a lot of other American tourists who were enjoying their meal as well. I would say this is more of a couple and family style restaurant than a solo one. It was a nice experience but I probably wouldn’t go again by myself.
I was able to spend as much time as I wanted inside the Tour de Eiffel after the meal, just looking around and soaking up the sun on the wooden “porch” inside the tower. I do want to say that the restaurant pass came in so clutch for skipping the line to get into the tower. There were no people in the restaurant line outside the tower to get in but it looked like well over an hour wait time for the other lines. It allowed me to walk around the gardens inside the tower and enjoy the views before it got too crowded.
I then checked out the small festivities happening outside the tower. There was a flee market going on where I got some rings from this super nice jewelry maker. He also told me about how to avoid pickpockets in Paris and overall was able to have a nice time enjoying the music, food, and other fun games. I also saw the dancers that were performing on the lawn in front of the tower.. typical city living but a more beautiful setting.
The second day was when I set up a bike tour around the palace of Versailles. I got up on another beautiful morning, had some surprisingly amazing pancakes at a Starbucks, and I met my tour group in the city. We were led via train to Versailles. I got to choose a special bike, mine was called pain au chocolate for chocolate croissant. I was guided through the city with my tour guide, and we even got some snacks for a picnic. I was able to practice my french in the marketplace in Versailles, where local people go to get their daily dose of fresh fruits/veggies and their fresh baguettes. I fell in love with some goat cheese there, got some grapes, wine, and bread and was on my way.
The bike ride was incredible and so freeing. It was not as busy as being in the heart of Paris so I was actually able to comfortable bike on the roads and in the parks. I learned more about french history and got to enjoy a tipsy bike ride to the museums. I then just bathed in the architecture and history of France as I made my way through the crowded museums on the beautiful day. Looking back I wish I had taken so many more pictures but I was definitely feeling my social anxiety kick in and it was hard to take out my camera when I was by myself in the crowds.
I was able to make my way back to my Airbnb after a long day of being up since 6am. I just enjoyed a quick dinner in the main train station in Paris, Gare St. Lazare and sprinted back to my bed. My heart was really full after this day as I met so many nice people and I traveled so far on my own. Excited for the next few days on the town.
❤
I am putting a part 1 because I know Iceland is going to have several layers to it over my lifetime in general. But let’s start with day 1 of my most recent visit.
I decided to head to Iceland by myself even though I am extremely anxious all of the time as well as socially anxious in January. I thought I was going to spend a peaceful 4 days in this cold place mostly enjoying my own company. I had a lot of bumps in the road getting there. People were worried about me, as they should. I brought an expired passport by accident. I forgot a towel. Basically most unprepared person ever and I was shaking the entire time due to my anxiety but I was excited. Though I was anxious leading up to the trip and sweating profusely through the KEF airport, I felt so much freedom when I was finally able to step outside into the fresh air.
This was not the first time I had traveled abroad but I was completely alone. I felt free and independent. I was in awe of the beauty of Iceland and just shocked that I made it this far. Nor did I feel the usual weight of my depression weighing on my shoulders. I was high on life starting from that moment. So I got my rental car and headed down to Reykjavik to the hostel and secured a prime bed by the window, facing away from everyone else. And I was ready to explore.
I ended up going hiking, horseback riding, walking around the city, tasting beer, all by myself while making a few nice acquaintances on the way. On the second to last day before my departure, I had some extra time and felt like heading out to the local pool where I had some amazing conversations with people. I was then at a bar when I saw a girl I just wanted to meet up and chat with from tinder was out again and decided to meet her. I ended up feeling so enamored by her. I’ve dated girls in the past and guys as well but I was not expecting to have such a good time and feel so connected with her. I ended up at her apartment that night and woke up with her beside me the next morning.
Fast forward to me stumbling out of her apartment, sprinting out of my hostel late, losing my rental car and barely making my flight in time. After all of that on the long flight home I basically spent it listening to the Wicked soundtrack and trying not to cry as I could still feel her hands and lips on my body.
Iceland truly awakened me and I am so grateful for every person I met while I was there.
The Chatty Cat 