Tag Archives: solotravel

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Solo Travel Notes- Paris, France

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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.

Day 1

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.

  • On Balcony

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.

Day 2

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.

❤

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Bad day not a bad life

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I have been having a lot of bad days lately and even on my good days I am anxious about life turning upside down. Today I woke up feeling physically sick and also sick of the place I am living in. I got up to go into work, late as usual but ended up getting a lot of work done. I feel unsure about an exam I have coming up next week, completely regretting everything about it. I have been in and out of depressive periods throughout my entire study period and I have no focus. I also found out today that WOW airlines just decided to completely quit. I had a trip for next Saturday planned through them.

I quickly scrambled to get new tickets for the same time period as I went through so much to get time off and to plan some festivities. I am going to Iceland and then to France hoping my second solo trip would go a lot smoother than the first. I was able to get tickets but goodness they were expensive. And I am moving in May…. I am fortunate to even be able to afford new tickets but now I do not have much room for error for these next couple of months.

Despite all of this chaos, I am excited to move in with one of my best friends, I am excited for my trip, I am excited to graduate from my graduate program this upcoming May, and I am excited that even though I might fail, I will be taking my MCAT next week. I am so grateful for all of these things in my life right now. Maybe it is the anti-depressants keeping me from having a mental breakdown but I am doing okay despite all the stressors in my life. Barely floating, but there.

Just a reminder that even when everything seems to be turning upside down, you can look forward to the things in life you are grateful for and what brings you joy. It is keeping me calm and hopeful throughout the chaos.


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Iceland Part 1

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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.