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Original poster

If you were me would you go on this holiday alone?

56 replies

Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 17:58

Hi everyone I’ve got a problem and it’s really playing on my mind, some advice would be great!

I have always dreamed of going to America and life has always got in the way and I still haven’t gone. Im actually married but my husband is unable to come with me. Shall I just go alone? This is my dream and it’s crushing me knowing that il never go. I’ve got no friends who are interested in going the only other option is for me to pay to bring a friend along but that just seems desperate to be honest. I want to go to LA for one week.

What would you do?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 18:50

I feel so guilty even thinking about going and leaving my husband behind. He doesn’t care as it’s not his dream it’s mine but he’s worried about me going there alone. I can’t decide if it would be a mistake or not. I’d be half way around the world alone when I have a husband at home. I just feel a bit confused by it all.. i also feel like he will miss out on such a great holiday.

OP posts:
Strawberrypancakes · 19/01/2020 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WallaceLocked · 19/01/2020 18:57

Yes, but I wouldn’t go to LA. California as in Yosemite, Carmel, San Diego.
LA you need a car or to be on a guided tour.

Agreed we went to Monterey and Carmel beach and everything is faaaaaaar! Needed a car just to pop to a shop! Absolutely loved it though. I love America.

X2Kevintheteenagers · 19/01/2020 18:58

Buy me a ticket I'll go 🙋 . I went in the 90s after being made redundant had nothing to do and couldn't get a job and knew I would never get another chance . I was walking pass my local travel agent and in window it had sale on fights to USA departing 3 days and return £199 booked it and off I went . loved it filled the visa in on the plane hired a car didn't books anything found it really nice apart from Miami some of the motel's were a little bit dodgy and a few unnerving moments . would I go now on my own not now and thinking back it was a bit reckless not having any backup . I was shocked at the divide in society very rich or very poor and lots of racial divides . lots of people living in cars and can remember maintenance man who help with my car was living in a camper van in the corner of the motel carpark . he worked for food a use of the showers and a place to stay it shocked me .Also visited a dinner in a black area didn't notice at first when walking in the dinner fell silent walked to the counter and opened my mouth and the waitress asked If I was Lyme she that's OK and I was fine .in think it wound have been different outcome if I wasn't

Original poster
Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 18:59

I mean if you think about it it’s no different than how us women walk around day to day alone... no one will know I'm a tourist they might just think I'm from LA casually walking around .. I just feel like if it was in a country that spoke a different language then I would have every right to be worried, maybe I’ll get lost and can’t communicate well enough etc but in the US... their language is English and it’s not that different from England. I know rationally there’s nothing to be worried about. Im trying to justify it to myself but I feel like I might regret it. Who knows..

OP posts:
Original poster
Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 19:02

The other thing is the car.... I’m terrified of hiring one. I will crash it 100% trying to navigate an automatic while also being on the wrong side of the car and the road 🤣

OP posts:
FizzyPink · 19/01/2020 19:05

Do it! I had a week alone in Australia last year and was really quite worried about it beforehand but I ended up loving it so much more than the time I spent there with friends.
So liberating to literally go wherever/eat whenever and whatever you want without consulting anyone else.
Saying that DP did FaceTime me everyday and I usually had activities planned so it’s not like I didn’t speak to anyone for a week.

Original poster
Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 19:05

Another thing is would it be completely insane for me to visit universal studios all alone...?. I just cannot picture it. Going to a theme park alone although to be honest I’m only going to see the film sets and harry potter world.

OP posts:
FizzyPink · 19/01/2020 19:06

Oh I had the exact issue with the car, American friend was joining me and insisted on a large automatic 4x4 and I’d never driven an automatic before.
After having to ask the rental company how to start it I was totally fine 😂

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 19/01/2020 19:06

I absolutely would. I am single and have been for over ten years and I do loads of stuff alone and love doing so. Go!

SecondRatePony · 19/01/2020 19:07

Do it.

I remember once reading that about 1/3 of all holidays booked by the UK are booked for people travelling alone.

One of my most favourite breaks ever was a week in New York by myself. I had such a wonderful time and loved it.

Am off to stay in a UK cottage alone (well, with the dog) in just over a week. Really looking forward to it.

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 19/01/2020 19:10

Another thing is would it be completely insane for me to visit universal studios all alone...?. I just cannot picture it. Going to a theme park alone although to be honest I’m only going to see the film sets and harry potter world

Many people do this. They even have single rider queues so you won't have to wait so long. People I know who have done it often get talking to others in the queues and a one of them ended up doing the parks together with someone she met in line after that. You will not stand out.

Original poster
Cookie1989 · 19/01/2020 19:13

Im so glad to read all these replies thank you 🙏😊

OP posts:
LucheroTena · 19/01/2020 19:19

We went to LA this summer (me, DH, teenage DD) and were based in Santa Monica. I thought it was an excellent place to be based. Loads of people eating alone in diners and restaurants, lots of places to walk and a Big Bus which is a hop on, off affair with headphones that drops you at most of the sites in Hollywood, etc. There are Star Homes tours which are also fun and quite a few coach tours for the day or longer if you want company. I was surprised at how friendly, sincere and upbeat the locals were. If you can hire a car it’ll make life easier though. Universal will also be fine alone. There are some areas to avoid on your own (Venice at night, the Valley). Have fun!

katewhinesalot · 19/01/2020 19:21

Go on a tour. Either one booked through an English website such as Explore/ Ledger etc or one booked through an American site.

Sicario · 19/01/2020 19:31

Take yourself to every restaurant you fancy and sit there like you own the place! I have traveled alone a lot and eating alone in a restaurant is nothing to be scared of. I now regard it as "taking myself out for lunch/dinner" and I love it.

DartmoorChef · 19/01/2020 19:51

OK honestly if you are at all nervous about driving over there, then don't risk it. The first time I went, my LA friend picked me up at LAX, then I spent the first two days as a passenger to get a feel for the roads, the next two days as driver but with him as passenger, before I had the confidence to go it alone. The roads are manic. 6 lanes of bumper to bumper in each direction on the freeways and the city itself isn't much fun either. Once you are out and on the Pacific Coast highway its breathtaking but honestly if you are on your own, just get a bus or take a tour.

Really don't be nervous of going to a restaurant on your own. You won't stand out or feel uncomfortable because it's very normal there. Don't miss out on the fabulous restaurants, they are part of the holiday. I can totally recommend going to the stinking Rose if you love garlic, or if you venture to malibu go to paradise cove and people watch on the beach while you eat lunch.

Casino218 · 20/01/2020 03:05

I went travelling in South East Asia for 3 months on my own. Loved it. There's nothing more liberating.

Casino218 · 20/01/2020 03:08

Also don't hide and eat in your hotel room just get stuck in. Life's an adventure. If you feel people are judging you wink at them they soon stop then!

Elindab · 20/01/2020 03:13

Maybe go to the US alone but then meet up with DH in Mexico or Canada? Or even the Carribbean. Then, you get your dream holiday and also you get to be together.

Travelling alone is the best, and you are right, it's all over once you have children, so I think definitely go.

DisinterestedParty · 20/01/2020 03:15

Airbnb has lots of experiences and tours, things like cooking classes for local food or local restaurant tours. It's a good way to meet people if you are travelling alone.

1300cakes · 20/01/2020 03:24

Go for it! I read the thread title and thought it was going to be something like trekking to Antarctica. Probably take a guide to do that. But USA? English is spoken, familiar culture, safe. It's going to be easy and fun.

Married people travel seperately all the time, no one would blink an eye at it. Just because you are married doesn't mean you want to visit all the same places. Or they may have already visited a place you haven't been yet.

And as pps have mentioned a theme park is actually great to visit solo as you can take advantage of the single rider queue.

katy1213 · 20/01/2020 03:32

Just go! I've been to LA on my own and I certainly didn't sit in my hotel room eating takeaways. Go for a walk/window-shopping - go to a bar - sit in a restaurant watching the rest of the world. I remember seeing movies that hadn't yet been released in the UK. I wouldn't say I was wild about LA though. You need a car and I racked up a fortune in cab fares getting around. Boston and New York are more interesting and more manageable.

loubieloo4 · 20/01/2020 03:40

Go but for longer!
The queue for the rides will shorter 😉

HeronLanyon · 20/01/2020 03:45

As for eating/evenings the us (huge generalisation there Wink) is one of the most easy places to eat casually on your own and no one (including you) would blink an eye.
If I were you I’d try to book a hotel that was kind of business market rather than full on tourist/family type place. You’ll be with more single diners/drinkers that way.
Go. Have fun.

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