Solo Traveling - Table for One

People always say I’m brave for traveling solo. I understand why, but at the same time, I don’t. Am I supposed to wait for someone to come along? Or a partner I don’t have—and at this point, may never have? So what… my life is supposed to stop?

After the last few years I’ve had—especially the ones I lost while caged up in a relationship—I’ve decided I’m going to live. Even if I do things that scare me, I will do them—not to prove a point to anyone, but to prove it to myself.

I’ve decided to give myself what no one else ever has: the strength, support, and love that I’ve always deserved.

Just like I encourage my kids to do what makes them happy… well, dancing, travel, food, meeting people, and writing make me happy. And with that, I have to say that after a long day of traveling, waiting in airports, stressed about flight delays and missing connecting flights, sitting beside people who aren't that hygienic, no sleep—I made it to my destination.

And as tired as I was, I still managed to go out for a stroll, check out the area, throw in a nap, and I was up and out for dinner. Yup—a solo dinner at a restaurant.

And yes, I’m not gonna lie—something inside me always stirs a little when I say “Table for one”. People do glance, they do make a face. And people say it’s in my head, but nah… they all make the same face.

I’m still learning not to give a shit. Even when I do inside, you’d never know it on the outside.

So fast forward: dinner is done, I didn’t eat much but I felt bloated, and I decided to take a night stroll to walk it off and explore a little. A couple people stopped me, offering to go into their club or restaurant. I asked some questions, told them what I was looking for over the next few days, asked where to catch a cab.

I find a cab and ask him to take me to the hotel. As he's driving, we talk. The usual: who did you come with? Then the classic: a pretty young woman traveling solo is brave. Blah blah. Then the offer: Want to go for a drive around?

I say I’m good, just want to relax and sleep. Long day. But he insists. Turns off the meter. Starts complimenting me. Wants me to come back to his place. I decline kindly. I even offer—if you want to hang out tomorrow, we can go dancing, in public, sure. But he’s still persistent. I must’ve asked three times to take me back to the hotel.

And no—I wasn’t careless. I was paying attention the whole time. My map was on. My phone was in hand. Mentally I was prepping for worst case. I know myself—and I can hold my own if I need to.

Three hours later, we’re finally back. He asks for payment. I expect a regular fare. But no—he charges me for the entire time. And that’s what pissed me off. Not the fare. The dishonesty. The way I asked to go back and he brushed me off while quietly clocking me on the meter.

$150 later, I paid him. And I told him straight: I don’t appreciate being deceived. I asked to be taken back multiple times and you kept pushing. I said thanks but no thanks to seeing him again.

The thing is—I believe people deserve a chance, even if it's just to show you who they really are.

So I woke up today feeling kinda butt hurt. But I’ll own it. It was also my choice. It’s only day one, and the rest of the trip I will be more guarded. I’ll still give the benefit of the doubt, just will be a 100% more cautious and my "no's" will be more firm. Because in a world full of ugly people, there are still kind souls out there.

Trust me—I know.