The Noob Solo Traveler - LOH Community Contest #175
We did not know it at the time, but Christmas 2022 was our last one together as a family. There was much excitement when hubby and I opened our gifts and found 'dummy' return flights to Amsterdam for mid-May, to celebrate my 70th birthday among the Tulips with our son and his gal in their newly adopted country.
Of course, the tickets still had to be booked, and we had to apply for our Schengen Visas.
We were super excited, and received our Schengen Visas, but had to postpone the trip twice due to hubby's health decline, and in the end, needing life-saving surgery.
Flights were rebooked for September, as we were confident that he would have recovered by then, but then the telephone call from the hospital threw my world upside-down; hubby was never coming home again.
Everyone encouraged me to still go on the trip, but I had never traveled abroad, and doing it on my own sounded daunting, to say the least.
I did not want to let the kiddos down, and I was going to be a brave old gal and fly off on my own at the ripe old age of 7...I meant 70!
I boarded the flight with mixed feelings; excited, but heartbroken that my darling man was not at my side; he was so looking forward to the trip!
That trip however turned out to be the best therapy I could have asked for.
The Best Advice...
If you're traveling solo and have a disability, or your hair has even just one strand of silver, prebook special/wheelchair assistance at least 48 hours before departure.
Our local King Shaka International Airport is small, but I was afraid of getting lost and missing my connecting flight at Dubai Airport.
I however did not have to worry about that at all!
We were whisked from one end of the airport in a long golf cart, taken into a lift, and then onto another golf cart to a special lounge right next to our boarding gates!
Walking, and going up and down escalators would easily have taken me over 20 minutes, and I for sure would have landed up as 'lost property';)
All those who booked special assistance were ushered through the gates reserved for VIP travelers, and boarded before the rest of the passengers, what a pleasure!
I was given aisle seats on all the flights, close to the loos.
The only downside is that I always choose a window seat when flying local, as I love looking out the window, and especially enjoy it when we're flying above the cottonwool clouds! I had to be satisfied with seeing it on the small TV in front of me!
I fortunately had nice 'neighbours' on all the flights, but could not sleep, watched a documentary, pecked away tears that came (still does) from nowhere at times, and dozed off in between meals and snack times, which seems to happen with hardly any breaks in between!
Schiphol Airport was less daunting, especially knowing the kids were just on the other side.
However, arranging special assistance is a must if you're a 'mature' solo traveler.
A friend however pointed to my mouth and told me not to forget to use it when I'm not sure of anything, and to look at the signage, which is everywhere.
I was especially impressed with the Dutch rail system; one simply cannot get lost, and their 9292 App makes planning one's trip an absolute breeze.
I went on a train ride all by myself, to meet a friend at Schiphol Train Station.
This very 'busy' old signage pole we saw in the town of Gouda however would not work at any airport or train station, I could not resist sharing this with you.
The Check List
A very caring friend drew up a looong checklist for me, which I refined, may just help someone traveling for the first time.
Edited using Canva
Had I chosen to talk about both topics for this week's Ladies of Hive Community Contest #175, you would have seen me talking a hind leg off a donkey, so I stuck to the one topic that to me was a personal triumph, as I managed to travel solo, and enjoyed it so much, that nothing is going to stop my new-found wanderlust to look past our borders, and across the waters!
My fear of flying solo has disappeared somewhere up into the clouds!
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Thank you @hivebuzz, glad to see you're back🤩
Thank you @lizelle. Happy to be back buzzing 😀
I'm glad you went through with it and now you know you can !
I laughed at that sign. :)
I'm also glad the kids insisted, it was an amazing experience!
That sign was very confusing, way too many places to visit as well 😉
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Thank you so much @ladiesofhive, your topics are just getting better all the time <3
Your a strong lady
Am glad you went through with it
Thanks for sharing your experience
Thank you @preshakpan432, I am so glad that I did go in the end, it was amazing!
I am sorry to know about your hubby's loss and may his soul RIP 🙏
Glad that you still went ahead with the trip, as you say it was a good therapy for you and I completely agree with that. Yes, if there is any mobility challenge then it's best to book a wheelchair, I always do it for my mom even if I am travelling with her, it makes her journey comfortable and easy.
Your checklist is one of the best things that I have come across, I am going to save it.
Thank you @nainaztengra, I don't think anything can prepare one for losing your life partner.
The trip was really good therapy. Something I forgot to mention in my post is that I kept a nice photo of hubby in my bag, and carried his passport and flight confirmation in my luggage; kind of felt like he was there😉
My friend is very thorough, and that checklist was a big help. Her idea of carrying a flip file with relevant documents plus copies of passport etc, was great. Imagine one's handbag is snatched (heaven forbid), at least you'll still have copies in an emergency.
Thank you for the great topics!
I’m so sorry for your loss but I’m glad you still went to that trip and had a good time. I hope you are doing okay now.
Thank you @katiemeow, the trip was the best therapy ever, one learns to cope but the missing never goes away.
Yeah baby! love this. Again, as you already know, I'm so so glad this trip went well for you, in spite of it all. So so happy for you, and honestly, it does not sound like a picnic. I'm terrified of connecting flights and avoid them as much as I can. I'm convinced I'll miss them xD And honestly, flying all the way over here from SA is insane levels of courage...I'd say you got plenty never to doubt your own ability again, my friend. ;)
Thank you, my friend, total hours in the air was just over 18, just crazy, especially sitting in economy class, but I was thankful for the gift! As you know, I was so spoilt when I got there.
Asking for assistance was the best thing I could ever have done. I would have panicked as there were only three hours between connecting flights, so it was just a short wait and then it was time to board the next plane again.
It would have been such a pity to miss such an adventure and I'm pretty sure your husband would have wanted you to go on and enjoy life! Your story reminded me of my mother's adventures abroad, visiting one of my sisters. She was 75 when she first flew on a plane, not speaking any foreign language, and no one thought of arranging any assistance. (I don't know if she would have accepted that!) She somehow managed to catch a connecting flight somewhere in Germany and even struck an acquaintance with an elderly gentleman.
On the other hand, another sister of mine who has walking difficulties did book special assistance for a return trip to the US and they simply forgot about her sitting in a wheelchair in some office. She missed the connecting flight and had to wait a few more hours till they could find another flight for her. As you point out she should have used her mouth and asked about her flight.
Since you've lost your fear of flying solo, any plans for another trip?
Adventuring out on ones own is nerve wracking you have given some great tips here for travels with a silver hair or two!
Under the circumstances this helped you personally twofold, overcoming loss of hubby, doing something never done previously, completely out of your comfort zone.
Harsh reality is losing a life partner, future reality is having to go alone if you want to go anywhere.
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Yep, I'm learning that now, fortunately I'm driving again, was initially considering selling the car and only use Uber. I just wonder if it justifies maintaining a car if I rarely use it. But it takes away my independence so I'm having second thoughts.
You're so right, that trip taught me many lessons.
Durban's in a mess again, awful🙈
I bought my car knowing I seldom use it (for emergencies), both my sons have full use, make the vehicle pay for itself being there.
One SON has moved up your way for work, the other returned home still running his small business, till we sort things out. Vehicle is an evil necessity, not many Uber's on offer down our way, no other services worth mentioning, as long as the car is being used I am happy, knowing if I need to go anywhere in a hurry it is there for me.
Durban is a total mess, my son takes me shopping for safety sake, much like taking the dog for a walk, although that too is not as often as one would like with the crime heightened almost everywhere.
Dear Lizzie!
It is a real triumph that you have dared to travel abroad alone on that long journey and even more that it has awakened in you the traveling soul. I have always thought that travels teach us a lot and are one of those experiences that always remain in our memory and that no matter what happens no one can take away from us. So I hope that more of those adventures come your way in the near future.
Hugs!
I am sorry for your loss although your solo travel was a needed therapy of yours. I am glad you did it. :D
Strength and resolution. Age does not matter. And you said it yourself, it was a therapeutic trip. I imagine you were very sad, but staying busy with these traveling duties helped you a lot.
And by the way, your friend made a great checklist! 😜
Thank you for sharing your story. Here at Hive we always find strength and inspiration through other people's experiences.
What a poetic story. I was moved to tears. I congratulate you for having dared, for your advice and for having enjoyed the trip at Schipol airport and the train ride. The Netherlands is a great place to travel alone, although you have to get used to languages and be extremely polite when asking for help, at least that was my experience. I send you a big hug!
Wow! Glad to see about your trip 😊
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Keep Up the good work on Hive ♦️