Miles, Mishaps, and Making Out: A Solo Travel Saga from Warsaw to Cabo

In my first blog entry which could only be titled "Miles, Mishaps, and Making Out: A Solo Travel Saga," I found myself diving headfirst into a life of adventure, spurred on by a rather messy breakup and a plateaued career. My goal? To visit 40 countries by the time I hit 40, armed with frequent flyer miles, a knack for hoarding vacation days, and a newfound freedom from a relationship that had run its course.

A quote by one of those business book author types, Arthur Brooks, about diving into the monotony of life instead of opting out. Maybe he's onto something. Perhaps diving in first involves using the steps to the shallow end of the pool with the help of others before diving in with reckless abandon.

First, my mostly supportive family helped me pack my life into a 10x10 storage unit (one for each year of my relationship apparently),  

Second, I had hoarded several hundred thousand frequent flyer miles like a squirrel with acorns. I forced my ex to eat at restaurants for bonus miles and shopped online for the same. A bathroom remodel became my crowning achievement in accumulating miles.

Lastly, I was with someone who didn't like leaving the house (until I wasn't). Not only did I collect miles over the years, I rarely ever took a day off. I accumulated paid time off like my employer had never seen - six months at my peak. A cap on accumulated vacation time hadn't ever been instituted because no one ever saved their PTO.

So, there I was, relationship and home lost, but with the ability to fly for free and get paid for it. When life gives you lemons...

I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, one country at a time. From accidental layovers in Warsaw to vodka tastings and jelly doughnuts in Poland, I quickly learned that solo travel was both exhilarating and, at times, a bit daunting. But armed with Google Translate and an adventurous spirit, I navigated the streets of foreign cities.

Realizing that I was going to have to go places and do things alone to experience life, I embarked on the solo travel journey. By midlife, most people have settled into families and careers. I was apparently on a different journey.  

The lesson is that, if no one is available to go where you want to go, then go alone. Sometimes there's no one to go with you and that's not an excuse to miss out. Looking back, I realized that this terrible thing that had happened to me was ultimately good.  You don't have time to waste and you don't know what's out there waiting for you.

Traveling solo was pretty scary at first. I used to judge people who were alone, thinking they were, well, just plain sad. This was a lens I unknowingly used to see both myself and everyone through.

I began traveling alone purely by accident. A sale on flights to London led me to Warsaw for a stopover. Poland was never on my desired list of places to visit but armed with Google Translate, Uber, and friends back home (at the risk of being offensive, specifically my lesbians) who didn't mind receiving text messages at all hours, I figured out how to get around. 

On my first night, I participated in a vodka-tasting tour accompanied by food pairings at hipster bars around Warsaw. The following day, I took a cultural walking tour. One of the stops was a bakery that survived both Nazis and communism. Yes - the jelly doughnuts were that perfect solution to what I imbibed the previous night.

Actual image of the jelly doughnuts that survived nazism and communism among other baked goods.

I survived my first solo foreign country experience, albeit several pounds heavier and it was only 36 hours.

London proved to be a turning point, where a chance encounter with an old friend led to nights of exploring gin distilleries, toilet bars, and the vibrant gay scene. For a moment, I felt like a younger version of myself, swept up in the excitement of new possibilities.

Initially, I spent the days walking around foggy London on my own before my friend's fiancé came home from a business trip. Fiancé and I hit it off quickly thanks to his wit and humor. Within a matter of days, I was palling around with him and his friends, starting at a farmers market, a gin distillery, a friend's flat, and then a bar that was once an underground Victorian bathroom. We affectionately dubbed this the "toilet bar."

We rounded out the evening in one of London's gay neighborhoods. I spotted an attractive gentleman from the corner of my eye. I quickly turned to Fiancé out of embarrassment. Growing up where I did, I was never exposed to the gay scene. My early 20s provided me with a little experience, but I tend to get into relationships without dating much. Late 30s me finally had an opportunity to get out there and my friends were excited to live vicariously through me.  

Fiancé said, "He's checking you out." I quickly replied, "No, he's not," without actually knowing because I don't have eyes on the back of my head.

The handsome fellow made his way to the bar near us and Fiancé said in a screamed whisper, "SAY SOMETHING TO HIM."

I did say something to him. However, I don't recall what exactly I blurted out because I was so nervous. It was the first time in my life that someone had checked me out at a bar.

We struck up a conversation. Fiancé bailed on me. It turned out that the Handsome Fellow was Spanish and in London to teach Spanish to children. The conversation lasted into the night filled with making out in several bars and then a 24/7 restaurant where we shared a piece of cake. It was like I was a younger version of myself again.

In the typical coming-of-age movie ending, the handsome Spaniard said that there wasn't much point in us pursuing anything more given where I live in a disappointed tone. The fun evening came to an end as the sun was beginning to rise. An Uber dropped me off in front of my friends' building and I tiredly threw off my clothes and lay on my inflatable mattress.

It was only an hour or so later when I heard a door open and an exasperated tone of voice, "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be out with your future husband." Apparently, I'm unable to seal the deal even with the most help and a very interested person.

Moments after a drunk woman fell off of her giant inflatable flamingo at Hilton Los Cabos.

Months after London, I realized that solo travel isn't all smooth sailing. A solo beach vacation in Cabo San Lucas turned out to be more of a comedy of errors, culminating in a memorable run-in with a drunk bridal shower. Lesson learned: tropical beaches are best enjoyed with company.

Maybe my starting at the shallow end of the pool metaphor isn't always applicable. Sometimes you need friends who will push you into the pool. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't been talked into flying solo.

Through it all, I've come to realize that life is too short to wait for someone else to join the adventure. Sometimes you have to take the plunge on your own, even if it means facing your fear of bridal showers or making awkward advances in a foreign bar.

So here I am, sharing my tales of travel and misadventure, one blog post at a time. One thing's for sure: I'll be diving in, with a swimsuit.

Opinions That No One Asked For

Air Canada: Starting off with a bang, my first flying experience with Air Canada was like a surprise party - if the surprise was a messy seat and crumbs everywhere! The only thing missing was a "Welcome Aboard" sign made out of pretzel sticks. Here's hoping they've upgraded their cleaning game since then!

LOT Polish Airways: LOT Polish Airways not only had spacious business class seats and amuse-bouche at boarding,  but also woke us up with a cheery "Breakfast time!" announcement. The food was so good that I almost asked for seconds before landing.

Hampton Inn Warsaw: A decent hotel with a great location and a surprise European-style bathroom! Yes, that's right, no divider between the shower and the toilet area - it's a real test of your multitasking skills. Just don't drop the soap!

Eat Polska: If you're looking for a good time, look no further than Eat Polska. I joined their vodka tasting tour and let me tell you, it was a blast! Food and vodka pairings? Sign me up! I only wish I had been more of an extrovert and mingled with the other tour participants. Next time, I'll bring my party hat.

Warsaw With PAWEŁ: I stumbled upon Pavel's tour guide services online, and boy, am I glad I did! Not only did I get a personalized tour of Warsaw, but Pavel also did some much-needed hand-holding for this fearful American. He even recommended a restaurant where I bought artisanal vodka that I still haven't touched - it's like a souvenir that keeps tempting me! Pavel's stories about his mother and cat were a highlight, and I still remember much of the tour five years later. Who knew learning could be this fun?

Jensen's Gin in London is a gin-tastic experience! From the moment you step in, you're hit with the intoxicating aroma of botanicals and the unmistakable sound of ice clinking in glasses. 

The tasting room is like a playground for adults, with rows of bottles that seem to wink at you, daring you to try them all. I had so much fun that I tried to take home a barrel of gin as a souvenir. They politely declined, but I left with two bottles containing varying degrees of botanicals. me a bottle to take home. If you're in London and you love gin, Jensen's is a must-visit. Just be prepared to leave with a newfound love for juniper berries and a slightly wobbly gait. Try the drink containing smashed berries if they have it. Cheers!

Hertz San Jose del Cabo Airport gave me a bitter surprise when they swindled me by charging me more for an automatic transmission car without asking me. I prefer a manual and drive one at home. It was insulting and difficult to avoid being angry every time I got into the vehicle. This is the type of experience that has caused me to avoid returning to Mexico and other parts of Latin America.

The Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort is a decent choice for those planning bachelorette parties and honeymoons. The staff is friendly enough, and the rooms are comfortable with an Old Spanish vibe. The pool area is huge, but it can get crowded, especially during peak times. The location isn't very convenient for exploring the area, especially in terms of avoiding drinking and driving. Overall, it's a solid option for a fun getaway with friends or a romantic trip, but don't expect it to blow you away.