Traveling With Lola

LONDON (May 22, 2023) — I spent the last few hours in this enchanting city laughing way too hard while learning Swiss “dance moves” at a pub with friends I just met. London was my first official city on my backpacking trip, and the welcoming city in my first visit U.K.. It offered many historical spots for enjoyment along with contemporary culture to accompany it. My itinerary included the typical “must do” things on many travel sites, like Kensington Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, Harrods, and Tate Modern. I enjoyed all of it! 

But what’s not on those AI generated “top attractions in London” list is what you learn about yourself as a solo traveler. My stomach was churning with fear when I first arrived at my Centrally-located hostel and I was relieved to meet a friend of similar temperament a couple hours after arriving. We explored the city together for 36 hours, doing a ghost tour and people watching at the Blues Bar while dancing to oldies American music. After that, he was too tired or bored to continue our excursions. Losing my safety net companion from North Carolina took me right back to square one of solo travel. 

This fear was exacerbated when I was back out in the streets alone, searching for a dinner spot to cure my hunger pains, painfully aware of the fact that I was incredibly overdressed and walking alone awkwardly through an unfamiliar neighborhood. I sat outside of this Italian spot, the only table they had available that was disappointingly blocked from the unobstructed view of the Little Venice canal. I shivered outside at my single table alone, partly because of the nerves of every passing person giving me a funny look for eating alone (at least it seemed like they were) and also because the May England wind is infuriatingly cold– opposite of Arkansas’ stifling and unrelenting heat and humidity that doesn’t let up after April. And I just couldn’t get out of my head, convinced everyone was staring at me out of pity or curiosity about the odd sight of a solo woman eating alone.

That night I fumbled home along a different route to avoid the unwavering glares of the large, older men that lined my original route to Little Venice. I arrived back to my hostel feeling cold and awkward, and ready to rest and forget about my discouraging dinner event. When I got back to my 10-bed bunk, a new woman just arrived and she struck up a light conversation. This outgoing, petite and beautiful woman was Maria, a law student from Brazil who is studying in Portugal. We made plans to go to the pubs the next day, as we agreed that night seemed too forced– plus we were both exhausted. 

The next day after exploring several museums and The Tower of London, my expectations for my last night in this city were minimal, but I had no idea that Maria and I would end up bonding over toasties at a stunning and eclectic restaurant in SoHo, then go dancing in a pub that lead us to befriend two Swiss men visiting London for the weekend, who proceeded to drag us across town to a casino after the pubs shut down. Maria and I pinky promised that we would reunite in Rio de Janeiro for Carnival this February.

Being able to bond with Maria helped me rediscover the safety net within myself– that’s it’s ok to go with the flow. I realized that being comfortable being alone leads to the best experiences because they aren’t those moments you plan or look forward to the most. My best memories are when I discover people, experiences, and feelings without expectations, which helps me appreciate the pure joy of my situation and opportunities ahead. Thank you Maria for your light and outstanding insights. I can’t wait for Rio with you. Cheers to London! 

“Lost like a tourist, confident like a local”

My travel companion Maria said this is her travel motto

Interested in more details of my London adventure? Check out my YouTube Vlog here: