I am Michele Kilmer and I am currently teaching abroad in Madrid, Spain as an Au Pair through the Walk and Talk Program with GeoVisions. Since I have been here, I have been traveling solo through Europe. I have been to Paris, Geneva, and London so far. I have already made some amazing memories in the short two months I have been here.
One moment that stands out to me is while I was in Paris. I met some Parisians on the metro on the way to the Eiffel Tower and they invited me to drink wine with them. If I was not alone, I am sure that would not have happened. Traveling alone on the metro gave me the opportunity to try to communicate with people I would not have been paying attention to if a friend had been with me. We laughed since we could not understand each other and watched the twinkle of the Tower while sharing wine. Talk about a Parisian experience!
In Geneva, I stayed in an AirBNB with a lady named Catalina. She was so nice and happened to be from the Canary Islands. Since I speak Spanish, we had fun speaking Spanish together and going on adventures in the city. I spent the whole weekend with her and she even took me into Saint Cergue Mountain for a hike in the snow.
My recent trip to London, I was able to walk around the city, go shopping, and take my time as I explored. That is the best part of traveling alone, you can do as you please! I was there during the Christmas Lights, which was absolutely stunning and I am so grateful I was able to see it. Each street in London is decorated vibrantly for the holidays in unique ways.
Not only have I been traveling solo all over Europe with much more to come, I have been in Madrid with a new family and a new culture. I had to adapt to life in Madrid. It is not easy coming to a new place and having to reinvent yourself. I found a group of really good friends that I do things with while I am in town. It is SO important to keep a social life! I have not been too worried about making new friends in Madrid besides my core group because every weekend I am out to a new country.
One of my favorite things about traveling solo is going to hostels. You are literally never alone if you stay in a hostel. There are so many people there doing the same things as you and are interested in the same things as well. It is so nice to come somewhere new and immediately have a group of travelers to discuss plans and activities with. You also have the option of doing things alone of course.
I have become an avid solo traveler and I love it so much. Thanks to this experience I have met some amazing people and made some memories that will shape me in the future to come.