I had a bit of an epiphany today when, in the wee hours of the morning--thanks to one more sporadic case of insomnia--I came across a comment in a recent article by Seth Kugel, the New York Times' Frugal Traveler columnist. In the piece, Kugel reviewed reader comments from the column over the past year for a bit of self-critique, using both praise and reproof as a barometer … [Read more...] about You *Do* Actually Want to Travel, Don’t You?
Perspectives
Thoughts about solo travel and life in general.
Finding Yourself Through Solo Travel
"Sacramento's a nice place to live, but I wouldn't want to travel here." That's what he said. The "he" in question was a young Sacramento resident, roughly my age, who'd shared a van with me as we rode from the airport toward the outer limits of the city. I wasn't exactly traveling to Sacramento, either; it was merely a stop on my way to a backpacking trip in Tahoe National … [Read more...] about Finding Yourself Through Solo Travel
Confession: I Am a Travel Chicken
Sometimes I feel like such a fraud. Often, while traveling solo, I'll meet someone--usually a group of women traveling together--and we'll exchange travel stories. "Are you traveling by yourself?" they'll ask me. I'll smile. "Uh-huh." "You're so brave!" they'll exclaim. No, not really. I'm not brave. Not at all. I have ample experiences that say the opposite. Like the time … [Read more...] about Confession: I Am a Travel Chicken
Forbidden Photography – A Tale of Travel Temptation
I know I shouldn't have done it but I couldn't help myself. Climbing the old stone staircase to the second floor of the Gruuthuse Museum in Brugge, Belgium, I am struck by the sunlight streaming through the nearby stained glass window, landing on the steps in a cascade of color. In only a moment I am utterly entranced. I want to capture the image before me but the museum's no … [Read more...] about Forbidden Photography – A Tale of Travel Temptation
How To Be A Good Traveler: Observations from 3 Weeks On The Road
I promised myself when I got back from my road trip, I simply had to document all the dumb, strange, and pet-peeve-y things I saw travelers do while I was traveling. By the time the three weeks had come to an end, I had a whole laundry list of bad travel behavior to pick a bone with. … [Read more...] about How To Be A Good Traveler: Observations from 3 Weeks On The Road