Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
Last night when I left Bible study about 9 PM, I felt very afraid of the dark. Our church is in a dark area with lots of shrubs, trees, etc where someone out for no good might be hiding. Our group is small and last night there were only 4 men and me, plus the male pastor. When it was over, I shyly asked if someone would watch me walk out to my car, as I was afraid to walk across the street alone in the dark. The man who agreed, kind of mocked me by saying, "What are the chances of you getting mugged here? Not much." What a stupid statement!
I'm also wanting to travel a bit in the good old USA. I don't know of anyone else who is alone and retired that I would be able to travel with. I think of striking out on my own, then I get scared. I joined a travel group, but so far haven't found a trip that I wanted to spend the money on, or the date of travel was inconvenient to me. Also, at a start-up meeting, I noticed that many of the people ALREADY knew each other. It was a dinner meeting. I didn't find even one person at my round table that seemed like a "fit" to me. Don't know what to do? Should I risk traveling alone?
I'm also wanting to travel a bit in the good old USA. I don't know of anyone else who is alone and retired that I would be able to travel with. I think of striking out on my own, then I get scared. I joined a travel group, but so far haven't found a trip that I wanted to spend the money on, or the date of travel was inconvenient to me. Also, at a start-up meeting, I noticed that many of the people ALREADY knew each other. It was a dinner meeting. I didn't find even one person at my round table that seemed like a "fit" to me. Don't know what to do? Should I risk traveling alone?
If you have a cell phone many come with the option of turn by turn navigation, or if a smartphone it's usually already built in, and ready when you need it.
I have a reg GPS just in case my phone battery was to go out.
Hope that helps!
HUGS
However, to travel for pleasure alone is an entirely different story. My recommendation is to do your personal research about where you'd like to go. Find a good hotel which provides tours themselves for their guests. This way, you are part of the hotel's community.
This new feeling of being alone has caused me to feel exactly as you do. At first, I thought of seeking out trips designed only for "single women", but then, I'd loose the opportunity to mingle with a nice variety of people. I think you should take small steps...carefully planned. In a few weeks, I will be traveling alone to Japan. I found a hotel that will send someone to meet me at the airport and bring me to the hotel...then take me in the morning to the train station I need to be at. This will be a huge help and I will be okay. Take care and good luck on your new journeys. Love, Linda
I've traveled alone. Mostly to resorts. I stay in after dark, but enjoy the day to the fullest. I like the ocean so spend my time swimming, lying on the beach and shopping.
All the best.
I finally came to the conclusion that if I'm gonna see the world I'm gonna have to go alone....I got tired of waiting for others to find time to join me. My husband had a great sense of adventure and we usually had a great time. 99% of the time I was in the passenger seat, and as the "Nag-A-Gator" it was my job to find out of the way places on the map.
I, too, recommend a GPS. I have a Magellan, I call her Myrtle Ester, and like her because when I travel through unknown metropolitan areas she tells me which lane to be in when several highway interchanges merge. It needs to be updated from time to time on my computer, but she is also a resource for restaurants, gas, shopping, etc. I do like to read maps so she and I argue from time to time about the "best" route. She usually figures it out.
If you are staying in different locations each night, I recommend that you make a hotel reservation in advance, even if you have to call that morning. Sometimes I travel by the seat of my pants and never know from day to day where I will end up. (That's my plan for getting to & from Vegas, and I'm very excited) I got stuck in Pensacola without a reservation, assuming that a LaQuinta (I was with my dog) would have a room available....WRONG...that night was my only traveling alone nightmare! Awareness in any situation is Key.
The unknown is always a little scary, and for me sometimes I just have to talk myself through the anxiety. But I have forced myself to be a participant rather than a spectator. Now, I find that traveling alone allows me to have my own schedule and itinerary and I have been able to participate in activities and places that he and I once dreamed of.
Travel safe and enjoy your new adventures.
Cathy
So, i say to you Dear One: Travel!!! Enjoy your days, do what you've been wanting to do otherwise you'll keep on wanting to do them...