Traveling Makes Me Lonesome

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Traveling Makes Me Lonesome
3
Wed, 03-01-2006 - 7:15pm

You know, I knew it would happen. Tried to prepare for it and I honestly didn't think it would happen for a few days but here it is, night #1 of my business trip and I'm already lonely.

I'm in Florida for a convention, the weather is beautiful, I'm right on the beach and I fully plan to take advantage of it, taking pictures, doing some light shopping and enjoying the beautiful weather. But I can't help but notice how lonely I feel when I travel.

I've finished everything I needed to do this evening and I'm a bit too tired to go out (I'm saving it for Friday night), but being away from home only reminds me that the phone never rings, there is no one here to walk along the beach with, enjoy the sights or shop with or talk to and when I return, with the exception of my 2 adorable kittens, there is no one waiting for me and I know there will be no messages.

Damn, I thought this wouldn't hit for a few days.

Can anyone relate??? Does traveling make anyone else feel lonelier?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Wed, 03-01-2006 - 7:23pm

Yes, I can relate. I have traveled alone before (both business and pleasure) and I have enjoyed it, but I always have a better time with someone else. It's nice to be able to share the sights and activities.

In fact, I have vacation time I need to use, and I'm not excited about going anywhere because I don't really want to go alone. I've tried coordinating with girl friends, but it just hasn't panned out.

On the flip side, this could be an opportunity for you to strike up a conversation with a handsome stranger on the beach. Might make for a nice diversion in the evening after the conference lets out. :)

AJ, enjoying life with C.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
Wed, 03-01-2006 - 7:46pm
I can relate. I used to be very uncomfortable going places on my own because I'd notice every other couple in the airport, the hotel, the restaurant, etc.
Now, it's sort of turned into an escape for me. Odd as it may sound, I've found a strange comfort in being anonymous.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Thu, 03-02-2006 - 9:59am

I travel a lot for my job. I am gone at least one full week out of every month this year. Luckily for me, my trips this year are with a group of colleagues that I know and like and there are people to spend time with when I want to so it can actually be quite fun.

However, I also serve as an expert witness on behalf of the government and do an average of 3 trials per year. Luckily, I am usually only gone for 3 days for the trials. But I travel alone for those. On top of that, I am prohibited from speaking to other witnesses so I spend a lot of time sitting outside of a courtroom reading while I wait to be called and I can't make small talk with anyone else sitting there. I am often in small towns where all of the local businesses near "downtown" are closed when I get out of the courthouse. So I basically end up going back to my hotel and ordering room service while watching moves. At those moments I REALLY wish that I had someone back home who was waiting for my call and waiting for me when my plane home landed.

Someone told me that they thought it would be so glamorous to be an expert witness and to travel for work. My response? Yeah, being under extreme amounts of pressure and being personally attacked by a defense attorney is a blast. And there is nothing more glamorous than being alone in a hotel room and hating yourself when you finally break down and eat the $10 bag of peanut M&Ms out of the honor bar.

While travel can be fun - it can also serve to highlight the solo nature of singlehood.