Conquering My Fears: Planning My First Solo Trip to Paris
My first solo trip to Rome, Italy, in 1993 was, to put it mildly, a disaster. I was visiting my friend Stephy, who was studying abroad through the St. Olaf College program. Back then, English signage was scarce, and most Italians over 25 spoke little to no English. The 24 hours I spent alone were isolating and terrifying.
That first night, a rowdy Italian soccer team moved into the tiny hotel I was staying in. My room lacked a private bathroom, forcing me to contend with the drunken team's boisterous behavior – yelling, attempting to enter my room, even climbing on each other's shoulders to peer through the ventilation window! I felt helpless, unable to communicate for help, and overwhelmed by homesickness and fear.
The next morning, I woke up to stillness. I opened the tall window, turning the ancient-looking latch and pulling the paned doors towards me. I leaned out over my tiny wrought iron balcony, adorned with vibrant red geraniums. At that moment, Stephy rounded the corner and saw me. "Bonjourno, Bella!" she shouted, and instantly, the fear and homesickness melted away, replaced by a sense of peace. With my pal by my side, the remainder of the trip became unforgettable.
More than 30 years later, I'm finally ready to embark on another European solo adventure, this time to the City of Lights: Paris. And this trip will be longer than 24 hours! While the world has changed significantly since my disastrous Rome trip, so have I. I’m older, wiser, and possess a wealth of resources at my fingertips – blogs, social media platforms, YouTube, online forums, and more. The travel landscape has evolved dramatically, making planning and preparation much easier and more accessible.
This trip is about more than just sightseeing; it's about confronting my fears and rediscovering my independence.
Like many women, I have my share of travel concerns. Being a travel agent doesn't automatically shield me from travel challenges. But now, I view these concerns as opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. If I let my inner "nervous nelly" dictate my actions, I'd never leave the house, let alone board a plane for Europe.
However, I know that relying solely on the internet and AI has its limitations. True understanding comes from personal experience. Until I navigate these challenges myself, I won't fully grasp the nuances of independent travel.
Navigating public transportation will be my first hurdle. I could easily hire a private driver, someone who will whisk me away in a chauffeured car and regale me with stories about the history of the Louvre while I sip champagne. But where's the fun in that? This is about pushing myself, about embracing the inevitable chaos of the Paris Metro. Will I get lost? Will I end up on a train bound for Portugal? Only time will tell.
Then there's the matter of dining alone. The thought of navigating a French menu while simultaneously trying to avoid making eye contact with the impossibly chic Parisian clientele is enough to make me want to order room service and never leave my hotel room. I’ve been practicing my "bonjour" and "merci" in my car when I’m alone – though I suspect I'll freeze up when actually face-to-face with a Frenchman.
And let's not forget the filming. I envision myself, serene and confident, capturing the essence of Paris on camera. I'll probably end up looking like an irritating “influencer in the wild”, accidentally turning the camera off when I meant for it to be recording.
But you know what? I'm going to do it anyway.
These challenges are not "fears," they're simply exciting invitations to step outside my comfort zone. (That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway). It's time to trade in my "mom jeans" for a chic Parisian beret and embrace the adventure.
We live in an era of unprecedented access to information. I'm utilizing a variety of resources to prepare: YouTube travel guides, online travel forums, government travel advisories, language learning apps like Pimsleur, and even consultations with my French-speaking friend. I'm also creating a detailed itinerary, both digital and physical, to ensure I never feel completely lost.
I'm following these self-made tips and tasks. Hopefully, they will be helpful for those of you who are thinking about taking your own solo trip:
Plan early: This allows for thorough research and preparation.
Prioritize safety: Choose safe and well-lit areas, share your itinerary, and carry a copy with you.
Plan your arrival and departure times so that you are not arriving or departing in the middle of the night.
Research local customs and etiquette.
Consider a cross body bag with a slash-proof strap.
Practice challenges before you go:
Practice solo dining in a local restaurant.
Visualize navigating public transportation.
Join travel groups for support and inspiration.
Learn the language. Use online language apps, like Pimsleur, to learn useful words and phrases.
Know the emergency numbers to call in the country in case of emergency (here is a pdf of emergency numbers by country)
Join a travel group or online community for support and inspiration. Join my Facebook Group - (Empty Nest Travelers)
Embrace the unknown: Stepping outside your comfort zone is crucial for personal growth.
This trip is about more than just sightseeing; it's about proving to myself that I'm not just going to survive this trip, but will actually thrive! Solo travel is about facing my fears head-on, one croissant at a time. I'm excited to share my journey with you, complete with all its triumphs and inevitable mishaps. Follow along on my social media channels for updates (and hopefully, some entertaining travel misadventures). I encourage you to embrace your own travel fears and step out into this wondrous world.
Randi is the owner of R.Wing Travel and a travel advisor herself. If you would like to chat about your next travel ideas, feel free to schedule a complimentary vacation consultation!
