Beautiful sunset on the waters of the North Sea - photo taken from my cabin on an overnight NFDS Seaways ferry cruise between Copenhagen and Oslo. I remember this evening quite vividly from my late August tour of Scandinavia. It was mid-point of a two week tour and I had chosen, as usual, to travel alone but as part of a tour group. Usually this is the best of both worlds. During the day you're with other congenial people experiencing the different countries and cultures. And then at night you have private time to read and re-group which is essential for an introvert.
However, on this tour I began to wonder if I was getting too old to make these ambitious trips without a travel partner. I suppose I was just lonely and getting tired of each day figuring out how to gracefully join other couples for meals and conversation about what we were experiencing. And, I was feeling cut off from things back home because, for some reason, I couldn't sign on to e-mail, blogs, or facebook. I worried about how Willie was faring at the vet and if my elderly sister was okay. And then to cap it all, Hurricane Irene was moving along the east coast of the U.S. and I worried that the Dulles airport in D.C. might need to close and delay my flight home, stranding me in Norway. Without internet access couldn't figure out how to make alternate travel plans.
I remember thinking that my mood was as dark as the waters outside my cabin window and it was a sleepless night. But then, morning came. My fellow travelers invited me to join them for breakfast and to sit with them out on deck as we cruised up the narrows of the Oslo Fjord and disembarked from the ferry in Oslo without any problems. They loaned me their smart phones to check google news about Hurricane Irene. They even shared cold and cough medicines! My spirits lifted right away and I was eager for the last leg of the journey, the majestic mountains and waters of Norway.
Now, over a month since I returned home, I no longer think that I'm not capable of traveling alone any more. I'm thinking of eastern Europe and, especially, Russia. Maybe a river cruise where I won't have to be constantly packing and unpacking and figuring out how door keys and shower faucets work. And for sure, I'll have my own electronic toys instead of just an ancient cell phone. Alice Steinbach said it best in her book Without Reservations, The Travels of an Independent Woman: "I decided to take a chance and temporarily jump ship, so to speak, from the life I'd fashioned for myself." That's what solo travel is all about--getting out of your comfort zone and making some memories that will last a lifetime, even if it's not always the most comfortable thing to do.
Want to see some more "watery" photography? Click here for the players.
6 comments:
I admire your courage to step out of your comfort zone and travel alone Faye! I only know you from blogging and I find you very personable..evidently so does a lot of other folks. My world is very small compared to yours. Great water shot...what a lovely scene to greet you in the morning!
Janis-this trip I seemed to have lost normal boldness. Spent a lot of time "what iffing?". Like you, only being acquainted through blogging, I think of your life as really rich, filled with family, activity and your special interests. I miss those things in my own life.
One positive for solo travel that you'll appreciate is that I could concentrate on taking photos--always had my camera at the ready to catch that unexpected shot. And then at night I enjoyed scrolling back through them and reliving the day. Kind of helped when I couldn't find CNN and see what was happening back at home!
Oh my. I must say you are one brave woman for traveling alone. I have never had to do it. I am too much of a "dependent"! LOL
But I agree with Janis (aka mom)...I too admire you for your boldness and independence. You are accomplishing alot in your lifetime. It must be so gratifying! Oh and I'm so glad you met some nice people in your travels!
I love traveling alone and usually do. The trip to Korea was odd in that my brother was with me much of the time, except at night when he went out to explore on his own and I stayed in our room to read or sleep. He's 18 years younger than I am and lives in NYC, so he's much more the night owl than I am.
How brave of you, but how lovely of your fellow passengers to make you feel so welcome. You've seen so many beautiful places.
Beautiful golden light beyond the horizon!
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