MY FIRST SOLO TRIP

An article which will answer questions people often ask me when they learn I travelled alone to Barcelona

View from my window in the airplane to Paris

Since my summer 2017, I wanted to travel back to Europe; this wonderful continent filled with so much history, good food and beautiful cities filled with welcoming people, for the most part. 

Getting out of our comfort zone is better than never experiencing...

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. -Neale Donald Walsh

I have always wanted to travel all around the world and learn more about the different cultures. I travelled for the first time in Europe in 2016 for an exchange with my school as our graduation trip and I fell in love with everything about this continent. I had planned on traveling last year, a 5-country trip, but sadly the funds weren't there. I didn't have a job at the time, however this year was different. I was able to finance my whole trip on my own. My parents have always encouraged me to be independent, and so, this trip was my first big step on my way to be fully independent and relying only on myself.

Working hard in order to reach my goal

As I've said, I have a part-time job in a retail store and it was what allowed me to travel. I had been working with hours of a full-time employee (40h), since the month of may until the month of august, to be able to pay all the expenses of my trip to Spain and France. I made sacrifices in order to save up my money to travel. I tried spending the least possible, it was hard at times because I LOVE shoes so much and I had to refrain myself from spending on another pair.

Pre-travelling mindset

Live life to the fullest, and focus on the positive. -Matt Cameron

I  had so many thoughts crossing my mind when I decided to travel, but I hadn't yet registered in my brain that I was going in another country all by myself with no one to "come to my rescue" if ever anything happened to me. It seemed like a dream with the crazy life I had back home. Fast forward to when my French granny came in town, as she does every year, when my family and I dropped her off it hit me hard, because I was leaving 5 days after her, that's when I knew it was coming for real and that there was no turning back. I had to plan all the activities I planned on doing there and then do then by going with the flow. I had to inform myself regarding the country and the city in itself, for example if there were places to steer clear from. 

On my way to the gate to catch my fly

Important things to keep in mind

I had to remind myself of a few things even if Europe might seem very much similar to Canada. I am alone, so I have to be extra vigilant and careful with my belongings, with people and where I go. What I mean by that is, I am a young woman, who doesn't look so bad so people might want to approach me for whatever reason, I always have to keep my distances and stay alert to my surroundings. I have to watch out not to get pickpocket, to get my precious things stolen in my room (my money, my jewelry, my laptop, my camera, my "fancy" bags, etc.), so not trust people easily even if I have befriended them and they seem nice. 

Anyhow, I am sending love to the ones who are supporting me in this new adventure.

xoxo,

Unknown girl