The beach getaway you needed at your own pace.
As an esthetician, I have always had unusual off days and travel times. While most of my friends and family worked Monday - Friday with the weekends of, salon life demands every weekend be spent behind the chair. Especially, for holidays and times with everyone else is off work. Therefore, I could never make any of the group trips or family vacations that I was invited on. I had always loved to travel but never on my own.
I was actually someone who never even stopped for gas on my own so it took some time for me to build up the nerve to become the solo traveler that I am today. While I’m sure my parents’ intentions were good, constantly being notified of crimes against women in my area, made me deathly afraid to go anywhere or do anything alone. I started small, by going to lunch at the same few restaurants and I’m not going to lie to you, it was awkward at first. But I soon realized that other people were not paying nearly as much attention to me as I had feared. I became a regular, with my favorite waitresses and bartenders greeting me each time.
Next up, solo movie dates. Again, it felt weird at first with no one to ask questions and laugh with but I still enjoyed myself each time! Suddenly, I felt ready to hit the highway on my own. It was the end of summer and I had a new convertible Camero so why not? I threw a few things in a bag and hit the road to Houston. I stopped by my aunt’s and even had dinner with my cousin before headed down to Galveston on my own. I checked into my room, ordered room service and enjoyed a night of all the movies that Netflix had to offer.
The next morning, I got up and did WHATEVER I wanted!! Usually, I was tied to a pre-determined activity schedule that my family had come up with but for once, I felt FREE to enjoy the beach however I wanted. Of course I went all in on every excursion the beach had to offer. And because it was a Monday when my salon was closed and everyone else was working, I basically had the entire beach to MYSELF! Vroom on the Yamaha jet skis as many times as I wanted! Break for lunch and read a book on the beach. I knew then, that this was going to be the FIRST of many future solo trips to come! I’d shoot to over to Texas at a moments notice until finally it was time to fly!
Now back then, there was a 30 minute direct flight from Shreveport to New Orleans on Glo Airlines and I had to give it a try. Normally, it took about 5 hours to drive down south to NOLA so I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the flight options but once again, there were only a handful of people traveling on my off day. The flight was so quick that the snack cart was a stewardess walking the aisle, giving each of us a small pour into individual plastic cups from a water bottle. It was a very small crop duster of a plane so I’m not sure what all I was expecting on such a short flight. When we landed at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I caught a cab to my hotel and per the usual, got room service and got cozy in my room. I rose with the sun and the sound of jazz music. I must admit, I was afraid to venture out on my own the night before but that morning, the French Quarter was mine. I tried beignets here and there and really just spent the weekend being a tourist.
From there, I’ve traveled to Mexico a million times by myself and it doesn’t phase me at all. I get the chance to do whatever I want, whenever I want. Whether I want to go into town and party or paddle board and watch the sunrise from the ocean. I highly recommend solo travel to everyone! Even if you’re starting out as a timid little lady like I was. I promise you won’t regret it!
