I used to be one of those people who wouldn’t go anywhere alone. I’m not talking about taking a quick trip to the mall or running to the grocery store. I mean, when it came to taking a trip—out of state or out of the country—I didn’t want to go by myself. Perhaps I felt that way because I knew my mother wouldn’t sleep a wink knowing that I was off on a solo adventure. Then again, she didn’t sleep even when I was with a group of fifty, so it didn’t end up mattering much (to me, anyway) if I traveled alone or with another person.
To this day, I still prefer to travel with a companion, but not because I don’t want to be alone. I think that traveling is a bit more fun when you have someone there to share in the adventure. Plus, you don’t look as goofy taking self photos of the two of you instead of your lonesome self. However, because I lead a very different life than my friends and family, I can’t always count on having a travel partner. Does this mean I won’t travel? Heck no! And you should do the same.
For example, Megabus.com recently held a really cool promotion, offering $1 one-way fares to destinations all over the U.S. I found a $2.25 (including tax) round-trip bus ride from Chicago’s Union Station to Cincinnati. I’ve been to Ohio (when I was a kid), but I’ve yet to visit Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds. And since it’s one of the 30 MLB stadiums I plan to visit before I turn thirty, I booked the trip for me and my boyfriend. Were stoked, until we remembered that he signed up for night classes this semester. But just because he can’t go, I’m not letting it keep me from pursuing my goals.
Even if I don’t find a replacement travel companion, I still plan to go to Cincinnati to see the Reds play the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of September. Why? Because this is what I do. It’s what I live for. I feel a constant urge to travel and experience new places, people and things. Sure, I can do that all over Chicagoland, but I want to spread my wings, so to speak.
What I am trying to tell you is ... don’t back out of a trip just because someone else can’t go. If you have the time to travel, embrace it. You never know what could happen at any given moment.
