Mamma On the Move

When last year I announced that I would take a week travelling by myself a few eyebrows were raised… why on earth would I take a holiday on my own? Was everything ok with my husband? Was I really going to enjoy being alone in a new city for a week? The simple truth is that as a mum of 3, a wife of a husband who needs to travel abroad every week for his work, and an entrepreneur, I simply needed time to rest, reconnect, and basically think.

At the end of this A.MA.Z.I.N.G. holiday here are a few findings that I’d like to share with anyone else who feels the same way:

1) People don’t judge you because you eat alone… or they might actually do it but if you like me are too engrossed in reading a book, looking the world go by outside the window, or checking Facebook on your phone (yes, not glamorous but that’s also good for the soul), you won’t even notice them so there you go.

2) When eating alone you might be mistaken for a food blogger (yay!), unless you end up seating next to a real one and then is what you realise they get free beers and you don’t (that was very annoying!)

3) Too often you will end up seating at the table closest to the toilet. I get it, better to annoy 1 patron than 2, still… But at times some lovely waiters do the opposite and give you the best table. Take both and enjoy the food, ultimately that’s why you are there.

4) Do not trust city guides too much. No matter how safe is the place you are visiting, in some areas a woman alone will feel uncomfortable. Keep your chin up, walk fast and hopefully you will be fine. Also, any recommendation for guidebook for solo travellers is welcome!

5) Talk to the locals, they can give you great insights on what to do. And learn few local words, a ‘thank you’ said in the local language can go a great length.

6) Miss your family, it’s ok. You are not there because you don’t love them, if anything the opposite. This trip will recharge you, and (hopefully) you will back to a more normal ‘you’. 

7) Don’t even for a second think that you will be off duty… you will have to plan things for the kids in advance (including sending calendar invites to your hubby, just on case) and plan things for when you are back (which party is which child going the day you are back? Are presents sorted? Has anyone thought about the grocery?) Not to mention work… of course you will have to plan at least 2 hours a day solely to deal with the effects of you not being there!

8) Be grateful for having the money, the support, and the will to do this. Special thanks to my hubby who, while I was about to give up this trip after my flight was cancelled last minute, booked me on another flight (ok he screwed up the flight back but hey, at least I got here!)

Ah, one last thing, Copenhagen is awesome!!!