So hate me now – give me a slap – I can take it because this time tomorrow, I’ll be hopefully lying on a beach with a beer in my hand. I’m off to Cuba at 7am. I’m putting Will to sleep tonight at my sister’s and being picked up at 4:15am which is generally when Will calls out to come and end his night in mommy’s bed.
I’m going solo on this trip. Solo travel has positive and negatives in my mind. I’ve traveled alone to Greece, New Zealand and my epic roadtrip to Maine. I love being able to do my own things and operate on my own schedule but I loathe eating alone. I truly hate it. It could be that I hate to have people watch me eat and I think that everyone is looking over going, ‘that poor woman has no friends’ and see me pick the sausage (because god knows there are 40 kinds of sausage at every Cuban meal) out of my teeth.
I also love that when you’re alone, no one knows you. You can take on a totally different persona. I can be a flight attendant taking a few days leave or a doctor taking a break before heading back to Africa to look after orphans. Wait scratch that, if there’s a crisis, my cover would be totally blown.
I think this time if I meet anyone and they ask me what my story is…I’ll say I’m a tired, single mom taking a break from toddlerhood. And I’ll say that I’m a writer…way more interesting than my full time gig…and one that I’m ready to embrace.
So here’s where I’ll be for the next little while. My tiny budget for internet will be spent on checking Facebook for pictures that my sister updates of my boy. I’ll miss you dude, but I’ll be better for you when I get back! And since you spent all weekend saying ‘six sleeps at Aunties’ – I think you’ll handle it better than I will!
Ola all….
Yea, eating alone can be awkward.
When I was in Oz I’d have a book, travel magazine, or my laptop (to furiously update Facebook with a hard-to-come-by free net connection).
When I was feeling particularly confident I would look around and try and find other “solo” people, smile at them, and ask if the spot was taken and then strike up a conversation. I figured that, inevitably, the other solo people felt just as akward as me. Plus, you can meet the most fascinating people while travelling!!!
Cheers and have a wicked trip!
Travelling rocks!
I LOVE eating alone… I seldom get to do it outside of my house. I’m with Nancy: make it all about savouring everything around you.
Have the BEST time, lady!! Jealous as hell… 😉
Take your journal with you and write, Ms. Writer!
Have a great time Sara, wish I was going too! You’ll probably meet people to eat with after a day or so. Have a Mojito for me.
Have SOOO much fun! You deserve it:)
There is nothing I hate more than eating alone!!!
If I have to, I always make sure that I have a book or a newspaper or that I look like I am SUPER busy.
Enjoy! Have the best time. Have some sun for me!
Gibby – I love you….move home!
Sara,
Celebrate.
The peace, the warm ocean air, the turquoise water, the smells, the food (such as it is in Cuba) and the people. Do whatever you feel like without guilt. Sleep the entire time or fest the entire time. Do as you feel and Enjoy!
@Nancy – fantastic advice!! Sara, have a great trip and remember that Will is in good hands and he’ll have a great time entertaining and being entertained by Scotty. Enjoy the sun for me!! Can’t wait to hear all about….
– When you eat alone take a journal and write in it and smile while you sit there. You are strong beautiful woman with a good life and and enjoy YOUR SOLITUDE.
Smile while you eat alone
watch people
taste your food
do no dishes
pinch butt of cute boy server if you wish
keep smiling
people will start to join you at your table
and soon you will wish you were alone…………