"It wasn't lonely, I realized, but peaceful. Come to think of it, I was having a far better time than I'd expected. Better, perhaps, than I'd had on certain trips with company."
A first solo trip began as an unexpected commission to stay at a glamorous canal-side boutique in Amsterdam. Plans included pastries, museums, and evenings in dim canal bars, but a last-minute passport expiry prevented a travel companion from going. With days left, the choice became canceling or flying alone. Dread centered on eating alone and imagined pity from other diners, but the trip proceeded. Sitting by a café watching houseboats, the traveler realized no one stared or cared, and the afternoon felt fully available. The experience felt peaceful and even better than some earlier trips with company.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
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