Travelling Alone Holds Many Lessons

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I’m seated at a writer’s desk that once beloned to the grandfather of Pippa, the owner of the Half Door Writer’s Cottage, my temporary Irish abode.

Earlier today, I ventured into Nenagh, the largest town nearby that has a delightful town centre, a 1200 year old castle and a TESCO, Ireland’s supermarket chain. On the main street I spotted a store named with the same surname as Pippa. I wonder if it’s linked to her grandfather’s desk? I’ll need to ask her once we meet. Currently, she’s in Greece, navigating roads she described via WhatsApp as even more narrow and exciting than Ireland’s.

Switching driving sides is a mutual adventure for both Pippa and me. I commend myself for adapting rather quickly, save for a single blunder. One car had to flash its lights to alert me of my lane mistake! Now, I constantly remind myself, “My right shoulder is closest to the white line in the middle of the road.”

Yesterday evening, after settling into the cottage and the friendly feline Mr. Baggins, I headed to Gerrykennedy, a quaint lakeside village just a few minutes away. At Larkin’s Pub, I treated myself to delectable fish and chips on their patio and nursed a glass of Pinot Grigio as I wrote in my journal.

Things I’ve observed while travelling alone:

  • Talking aloud, especially when fatigue sets in. It’s a way to remain alert, especially after an exhausting transatlantic flight. And it’s a great way to give myself pep talks as I try to navigate the standard transmissions, driving on the opposite side of the road and a foreign landscape.
  • I’m more open to seeking assistance. Take the incident with my rental car’s non-existent ignition button for example. Accustomed to just pushing the button to start my car at home, I searched for the same facility on my rental car until I gave up searching and asked the lovely young attendant for help. He was very kind in showing me how the key just pops out of the fob and where to insert it on the steering whell. 😊
  • Balancing ego and self-awareness is vital. While ego nudges me to appear infallible, curiosity prompts questions about my presence and awareness.
  • The joy of unplanned detours, despite Siri’s insistence on sticking to the route.
  • The comforting presence of my inner voice, guiding me towards mindfulness.

Solo travels have been insightful:

  • It’s made me delve deeper into the essence of solitary journeys and heighten my self-awareness.
  • I’ve discovered the importance of relishing my own presence.
  • The conveniences of modern tech, like Google Maps and phone-to-car syncing, are deeply appreciated.
  • Staying connected with loved ones is just a call, text, or email away, reinforcing that we’re intrinsically linked irrespective of distances.

Traveling solo doesn’t equate to loneliness. It’s an enriching experience heightened by the omnipresent interconnectedness and the deep love that binds me inextricably where ever in the world I am.

A normal driving road when off the motorways. There are little lay-bys so that drivers can pull over to let approaching cars pass. Coming around curves is rather scary! That and the fact the posted speedlimit is usually 80 KMs per hour!

    14 thoughts on “Travelling Alone Holds Many Lessons”

    1. Traveling alone holds many valuable lessons. It teaches self-reliance, independence, and the ability to adapt to new situations. It’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

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    2. Awww I loved reading this!  Solo Travel is so inspiring and liberating… yet humbling and insightful to who I am and what I’m capable of!  It reminded me of how resourceful I am!  Thank you for sharing! 

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    5. I was at the Dublin airport flying home the same day you were flying to Dublin.
      I did a 2 week tour around the island getting an overall picture of the varied country, but never landed long enough anywhere to just melt in. You are experiencing the real thing. Good for you.
      Ireland kept a piece of my heart . The history, the wee towns, pubs and beautiful landscape are all treasures. Enjoy every minute🍀

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      • Wow Pam! Wouldn’t that have been amazing to have visited at the airport! 🙂

        Though I gotta admit, it sure is a long walk from the gate to customs! Though my customs officer was very friendly (and cute 🙂 )

        I hope you had an amazing time too. And yes, Ireland has already captured a piece of my heart too!

        I’ve designated this a ‘writing’ trip but the lure of the beauty and wonder all around keeps calling me out to adventure. ❤

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    6. I fully agree that travelling solo brings us so much more than we could ever have imagined. My trip to Tuscany back in 2016 was enlightening, to say the least. I had hoped more trips would be in my future, but so far, not happening. It ain’t over yet, baby!

      Enjoy your Irish retreat!

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