SOLO and LOVING IT

by LaLa Hill-Courtney
(SAN FRANCISCO, USA)

At 4:50 A.M. on January 28, 2011 I boarded aa AMTRAK bus heading to Los Angeles. I'd missed my earlier one at 10:15 P.M. Slept well, met a young man on board the train from Stockton to Bakersfield and gave him some sage advise... BE WARY OF PEOPLE YOU MEET ON THE INTERNET. Young and full of himself, I feared he would meet disaster somewhere along the way. He was headed to Houston with little money and I gave him some as I knew he'd get hungry.

I didn't want to pay a hefty ($75.00+) taxi bill to get to Santa Monica from L.A.'s Union Station so I boarded an express bus. Now in L.A. two hours and I found myself air born on the bus, ready for a crash as the bus drive made a sharp right turn. It was pretty scary as I knew I was gong to get hurt, I was battered and bruised badly, no broken bones. A GF from 30 years ago to me to Urgent Care. Spent three glorious days in Santa Monica and boarded a train at Union Station to visit my stepdaughter and family in Laguna Niguel. It was a quickie overnight and loving visit. Back to the train to San Diego. Left bags at station and caught a Trolley to the International border and walked across and took a 20 mile ride to Rosarito Beach. Went to a highly recommended dentist for two new crowns. IMMACULATE CLINIC, STATE OF THE ART and regal, kind dentist. Took care of me, back to Border, crossed on foot and took trolley back to San Diego. NO HASSLES, NO FEARS of being alone in what has been described as a scary and dangerous place. People were kind, helpful and friendly in Baja.

You do get to meet The Great Unwashed and Loonies when you travel and it can be strange. Avoid eye contact and keep your mouth shut.

Stayed in a hotel, hooked up with cousins for dinner and greeted my former husband so we could visit his daughter up the coast.

Had a big ooooooops as I thought my stepdaughter had taken my purse, she thought she had. It was on the train. Her due diligence got my purse back with every soo.

I had over packed, my skirts never got worn as it was cold. I will learn.

I have no fear of traveling alone and love it if I can hook up with friends and family. Plus, my dental costs were less than half than here at home. rather than groaning when I paid, I SMILED!

Still DREAMING about taking that first big trip?
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If you're nervous about setting out on your own, if you find yourself making all sorts of excuses, if there are a million reasons why right now is not the right time...

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