After completing junior college in Idaho, I signed up for a study abroad that would travel to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Belgium and France. I was so excited – I’d wanted to visit England for so long.
Then I lost my passport – right before I was supposed to leave. We looked everywhere but couldn’t find it. I went to the airport on the day the group was to depart (without me) and talked to the directors. Once I got my new passport, I would fly alone to Ireland, and the group would pick me up at the airport in Dublin. But I would miss the first three days of the trip.
I was very anxious about flying alone and getting where I needed to. There was a moment of panic in the Atlanta airport when I came to the tram that takes you to the other terminals and I didn’t know where to go. Thankfully I made it to Dublin and the group picked me up right on time. The only parts of Ireland I saw, beyond the airport, were from the bus window, but I also missed the trip’s worst accommodations by coming late.
Even though the start of the trip went much differently than I’d expected, I had an incredible time and made new friends. Best of all, that experience of traveling alone, helped prepare me for later opportunities when I would have to get out of my comfort zone and figure things out. In that way, losing that passport was a blessing in disguise.
Life is all about rolling with the punches, finding the good in spite of things not meeting our expectations, discovering those less-than-obvious blessings among the challenges.
Would traveling to a new place by yourself excite or frighten you? What are some of your vacation mishaps? What helps you remember the goodness in your life, despite the craziness or the missed expectations?
*This post is similar to one I shared last year.
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I've never been off this continent. I would so love to go to the UK, and Europe. Maybe one day.
Excites me! Lost luggage, near missed planes. Been there! But I wouldn't change it b/c I agree wholeheartedly that it pushes us out of our comfort zone. A good place to be.
~ Wendy
Matthew – I hope you do get there one day! There's so many places in Europe I haven't been to and want to see.
Wendy – I like that thought – out of our comfort zone is a good place to be. So true.
Oh yeah, traveling alone gives me panic attacks! I had to go Denver for the WFTS conference in Feb. and as scared as I was, it gave me the opportunity to trust God to get me across the sky, through the airport 2x!
I think it makes my testimony richer because I can't say I trusted my husband to get me to that first writing conference, to direct me through crowded airports, or to be my crutch at the conference. Nope, when I give my testimony, God gets all the glory!
Great post. You should show us some pics of your travels. I've always wanted to go to Ireland!
Love to travel. Hate delays and lost luggage.
I've been to Europe, but not to the UK – flew over it. All of my kids have been there though. Hubby and I hope to see it in the near future.
Heck yes! When I was in the Army, I was stationed in Germany. They flew us into Frankfurt to the big base there, and that's when they decided where to assign us. It was getting late when they finally processed us, so they were going to get us a room for the night and then send us each on our individual merry ways to the train station. We were supposed to make it to our city (mine was Nurnberg–four hours away) and call the base we were newly assigned to to have someone pick us up. O_o With no exposure to the country and no language. I've often wondered how many GIs they lost doing that.
I lucked out because there happened to be a bus from Nurnberg that had come to drop a bunch of people off and was empty going home. So I got a ride to my very front door.
To quote Kurt Russell in the movie "Overboard": There is a God, and he loves me."
Jessica – I know what you mean! I went to ACFW last year alone, not knowing anyone, but the Lord helped me through and I came out stronger for it.
I'd love to share pics – I just need a scanner! That tells you how old I am – I went on the this trip before digital cameras. 🙂
Loree – Where in Europe have you been? Being the history buffs that you are, I bet you and your hubby would absolutely love England!
Donna – I love Overboard – great quote too.
That would be incredibly nerve-racking to be in a foreign country where you don't know the language and try to get somewhere you've never been! I get anxious just thinking about it. 🙂
I want to travel SO BAD. I want to go to Europe, all the places you listed. But, the thought of going alone terrifies me. I got lost in LA, her in the U.S., who knows what would happen if I tried to find my way around a foreign country. I'm sure those experiences have stayed with you though!
Jenny – Thank goodness for our directors, so we knew where to go. When I went back to England a few years later with my mom, aunt and cousin, we relied heavily on maps and asking directions! 🙂
Oh man, I would LOVE a trip like that!! I don't mind traveling alone at all. However, I tend to get lost very, very easily, so I always have to be extra careful.
What an amazing experience for you!
Thanks for commenting over at my place. 🙂
I flew alone to Mobile Alabama when I was 17 and will have to admit the Atlanta Airport still gives me the shivers 🙂
Where did you find the passport?
I've only been to 5 states besides Utah. And they all basically touch Utah! lol Except for California I guess. I would love to travel to Europe someday. I don't think it will ever happen though. And I want to go to New York. Who doesn't? 🙂
Also, I'm a wimp. I couldn't go anywhere by myself…
Freaky! I can't believe you lost your passport. I would've died. You're pretty awesome though.
Jessica – I'm getting better about traveling alone – still not my favorite, but doable. 🙂
Angela – My family and I never did find the passport. We had to pay to get one super fast.
Chantele – Actually the thought of going to New York kind of scares me. 🙂 I know, I know – people say it's amazing. So maybe some day I'll get there.
Erin – I even had the passport sent home instead of to my college dorm because I thought that would be better. Go figure. 🙂
I'm experiencing that now here in Texas—I am petrified to journey out on my own, and try not to panic when I have to go someplace until I learn this new area we now live in. I don't think I would have been as brave as you although I do love traveling in airports but dread Atlanta! Hate that escalator too. LOL
Oh my gosh, I really hate traveling alone but I do think it's good for me (and my hubby thinks it's good for me too because he usually takes care of stuff like that)
It's funny but when I was 14, I traveled to CA by myself and never thought anything of it. I think back on it and think, "How did I do that?" LOL
Love this post!
I have so many travel stories & mishaps, I wouldn't know where to begin. I don't mind traveling alone. I've done it many times so it's no biggie. Having two little ones, I think I'd welcome a trip. 🙂
Terri – It's always unsettling figuring your way around a new place.
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who isn't keen on the Atlanta airport. 🙂
Jennifer – Welcome! My DH is the same. 🙂 He's always encouraging me to move out of my comfort zone.
Mina – I hope you get to take a trip for you soon! All moms need a break now and then.
I too loathe the Atlanta airport…
My husband did a year of school in London – we moved there with 2 suitcases a piece and found a studio apartment the same day – that was something of an adventure 🙂
Kim – I'm so jealous you got to live in London. 🙂 I've visited twice and love that city!
I think traveling to a new place by myself would do both– excite AND frighten. That sounds like an awesome experience! Even the scary on-your-own part.
Peggy – I've been rereading the notebook I wrote in while on the trip, and it's been fun to relive the experience. 🙂
I traveled to France, Australia, England and otherwheres all by my self during college. For me, it brought the excitement of adventure. I was too stupid to be scared. I think that has been my problem in life…to stupid to worry about things that aught to be worried about!
Hi Stacie! Sounds like quite an adventure! Thank goodness you missed the worst accomodations. It would have been doubly disappointing if everyone had raved!
I don't mind traveling alone, but I haven't done it very often. 🙂
Jessie – LOL! Isn't it funny how some things don't scare you when you're younger or before having kids? I think visiting Australia would be super cool!
Jill – Welcome! Yes, that would have been a double blow if I'd missed 4-star accomendations in Ireland AND the first three days of the trip. 🙂
I traveled to Ghana alone when I was 20, and didn't know a single person on the entire continent when I arrived. It was probably the scariest thing I've ever done! But it was one of the most amazing things I've ever done, too. Sometimes you have to face the fear if you want to experience something amazing.
Shallee – WOW – going to Ghana by yourself! That must have been such an incredible experience. It's true – that if we don't face our fears, we might miss out on something truly awesome.
My biggest vacation mishap happened in Manchester, England. The plane turned out to be the last flight of JesAir and they impounded the plane and kicked us off. It's a long story.
BUt glad I found your blog.
Wanton Redhead Writing – Thanks for following! Now that sounds like an intriguing story – getting kicked off an impounded plane. 🙂
I traveled alone to Germany and it was terrifying! I wonder if their airport security still lugs around machine guns? I'm not sure if it would be any easier doing it again. Customs was a nightmare as was the fear of my friends not being there to pick me up when I finally got through. And yet I am so glad I did it, I would have missed out on so much.
Margo – Sounds like a pretty intense trip, but all worth it. I'd like to visit Germany – it looks beautiful!