Before studying abroad last semester, I wanted to visit Ireland. So after a few trips around the UK with some of my girlfriends, I had already planned a trip to Galway with one of my girlfriends, but that person canceled. Nevertheless! I made up my mind. I would travel alone. I'm an adult! You can do that too!
Confident in my ability to travel, I set out for Galway on the penultimate day of November…and by the end of the next day I was so sick I was bedridden. by myself. In an unknown city. Even though no one will help me.
But a few days later I was back in my London apartment alive and with all my belongings, so I clearly made it through. Below is my advice on how to survive while traveling alone.
- Don't forget painkillers and snacks
There is nothing more humiliating than getting sick in a hostel. there is nothing. And I say this as someone who often embarrasses myself. So I was lying on the top bunk in the hot attic, sweating and wondering how I could expand my horizons in this foreign country when I was too sick to eat. I'm taking ibuprofen.
When I say thank God for taking ibuprofen, I mean it. When I finally mustered up the energy to eat the snack I had on hand, I took some ibuprofen and started to feel better. I don't know how I would have done without ibuprofen and food. I couldn't imagine having to leave the hostel to go to a convenience store in that condition. In addition, painkillers are sold differently in different countries. In an emergency, you don't want to think about whether you should consult a pharmacist or how to say “ibuprofen” in your native language. It's much easier to always carry painkillers and snacks with you.
- stay in a hostel
We know, Airbnb is calling you. please listen. Staying in a hostel is not easy. My story of getting sick is not a good argument to convince you otherwise. I mean, I didn't even have the dignity of privacy while trying desperately to keep my brain out. But if you're traveling alone, it's hard to justify Airbnb's prices. Additionally, you can meet other solo travelers at the hostel. Hostels are designed to bring people together. You don't have to be social, but there are opportunities. It's always nice to meet people in the same position as you when you're alone. Moreover, staying in a hostel is a typical experience. If you think about it, it's actually quite nice to sacrifice sleep and a comfortable bath and instead spend your money on soul-enriching activities like museums and local cuisine. You are very brave and scholarly, Connell Waldron.
- Spring in the girls' dormitory
Towards the end of my semester abroad, I had become quite stingy with money. No joke, traveling is expensive. So when planning our trip to Galway, we decided to save a few pounds and book a bed in a mixed dormitory instead of a female-only one. This was a successful endeavor considering staying up all night to find out how loud adult men snore is one of my priorities when traveling the world.
What I didn't realize until I arrived was that Galway is a party city. People drink alcohol in party city. People snore when they drink alcohol. And the most impressive man who snores can be paid to run a tractor. Well, I didn't get much sleep between 4am and 7am when the party got back.
Also, drunk men are not the smartest. I don't mean to scare you, but I think it might help to know that I woke up one night and heard two men having a conversation that went something like this:
“Isn't this my bed?”
“No, your bed is over there.”
“…I think I was in this bed.”
“Hey, she's been sleeping there all week. It's her bed, not yours.”
Wow. Luckily, they weren't talking about me, but about the girl sleeping in the bunk below me. Anyway, that was the moment I decided I would never stay in a mixed dorm again. I'm not going to deal with a drunk guy in the middle of the night. And I hope I don't wake up from my sleep to find some drunken stranger peeking in on me and wondering why I'm in bed. From now on, it's Anna's exclusive girls' dormitory. I think you should think the same way.
- sacrifice socks for the shower
Tired of the idea of wearing socks while showering? Ok, justified. However, the thought of contracting a foot disease in a foreign country is even more terrifying. You can always bring shower shoes, but frankly, unless you're traveling with multiple bags like an agent of the bourgeoisie, it's better to have a pair of socks than a spare pair of shoes. It's much easier to go. Always dry your socks after showering. It would be really unfortunate if mold started to grow.
- Bring a portable charger and extra charging cord
A portable charger is a traveler's treasure. If you don't have one and are planning to travel soon, order one now. Unless you support price gouging, don't wait until you get to the airport to buy.
You might not think you need an extra charging cord, but I learned the hard way when my charging cord stopped working. While I was fighting fever dreams in my hostel, my phone stopped charging unless I plugged the cord into the port, and I thought to myself, if you were born after 2000, you can't expect to be pissed. . For example, how many hours will it take me? Will I die without a cell phone? Is it worth searching on Google with his 2% battery left? Luckily my problem was with the charging cord and didn't render the phone useless. I was able to purchase a new code at the airport for the simple and reasonable price of £28. Price gouging is not my thing, but I do like a fully charged phone.
- Get a pop socket with a ring
Avoid becoming a victim of drive-by scooter theft. Imagine how embarrassing it would be to admit to a guy passing by on a spin scooter that you lost your phone. That certainly sounds terrible. People often say: “Don't give your phone away when you go somewhere!” Remember directions! ” But it is also quite impossible to do.flat A native Londoner Sometimes my belongings are stolen.
Therefore, always keep your belongings with you. Get a pop socket with a ring, or at least place your fingers around her three ends of the phone and hold it close to your chest. When you sit down at a restaurant, put your feet through the straps of your bag. Don't bring your laptop if your phone is sufficient. When sleeping in a hostel, keep your wallet, cell phone, and passport inside your pillowcase.
Despite my clumsy personality, I am proud of the fact that nothing was stolen during my three months abroad. Keep your belongings stocked and avoid flaunting your wealth. That way you can hold onto your belongings securely.
- Share your location with someone
This may seem obvious, but it is very important to remember this. Make plans with a friend or parent who will keep you busy during your trip, and share your location with someone you trust. After I started college, I wanted to be more independent and stopped sharing my location with my parents, but when my dad asked me to share about this trip, I complied. Do it every time my parents express concern to me.
I'm really lucky that if I ever really get into a crisis, I have a father who's there to help me out. So I knew I would have to stay in touch with someone who could help me if something serious happened, with no one by my side, but luckily that didn't happen. did. And at least it's nice to have someone on the phone to listen to your complaints about a really sore throat. And it's great to have someone reminding me to take painkillers. Anna.
conclusion
All things considered, my solo trip to Galway was actually quite lovely. I hiked Inishmore, made friends with another American traveler, chatted with locals, strolled through a Christmas market, and listened to live music in a pub. It is with great honor that I survived being sick alone in a hostel, in a room full of men rumbling like back-up generators. This is the badge I'm wearing.
Traveling alone can be tough, but you don't have to stop traveling if you don't have to. By researching and planning ahead, you can make your solo trip a success. Even us women can do it.
Anna tries every day to convince herself that life in Pittsburgh is just as great as life abroad. She has never been successful. She can be reached at the following address: ane45@pitt.edu.
