Travel Solo

Brighton & Hove

A spontaneous trip to Brighton, England turned home away from home.

I knew one of two things would happen: I would have the time of my life and grow a lot as a 22-year-old human traveling by herself for the first time OR I would decide it was a mistake, cry myself to sleep in the coziest of white fluffy beds and book the next flight home.

Travel solo, book the private room in a family’s home. Who knows, you may board your flight back home with a second family and plans to visit soon.

A strange man with an English accent dropped me off on a cozy, colorful, old English street, lined with light pink flowers. My nose tipped up as I stepped out into the salty air. The sea was just a ten minute walk from where I was dropped curb side with my two giant, proclaimed to be “oversized,” light pink suitcases.

Me and my baggage rolled up to the doorstep. I knocked. A woman named Jules greeted me at the door. She called her husband Nic to carry my three tons of cute outfits up to the loft.

I was completely exhausted having traveled for nearly 24 hours to get to this moment of familiarity with a woman I had briefly messaged back and forth with about my arrival time.

I willed myself up the stairs, one step after the next, quite the task after traveling over 5,000 miles in 24 hours. I stepped into the picture perfect loft, hardly believing it was as cute as the photos. The Airbnb listing flashed through my mind: Stargaze from the bathtub of this Artisan loft space.

There was the most delicious snack awaiting me. Fresh tomatoes, cheese, bread with olive oil and balsamic. Jules asked me if I would like something cold to drink, perhaps a glass of wine. I thought to myself, who would EVER say no to a glass of wine? Particularly after a 5 hour layover and 3 different airports.

The only time I ever said “NO” to wine was when I misunderstood the question.

Jules then asked if I would like to join her and her family for dinner. I could hardly believe my own ears. I had just traveled a million miles, didn’t know this woman from Eve and she had just invited me down to dinner. She continued to amaze me as she asked if I would rather eat in the loft after so many hours of travel.

Needless to say, I rinsed off, let the cold white wine coat my throat, threw on a pair of shorts and went downstairs to meet the family, wet hair and all.

I met Nic, Rihanna, Louis and Betsie.

Dinner was to die for. If I hadn’t shared many delicious meals with Jules and her family, I would say it was drool worthy solely because it had been hours since I had had a meal, but that’s not the case.

I happily devoured the pasta. Jules, as I came to find out, is one of the most amazing cooks. She’s an absolute angel, I’d never felt so at home.

Jules’ family was sweet. We really hit it off that evening. I didn’t go back upstairs until midnight or so. Imagine that, spending hours with a family you’ve never met, after spending nearly 24 hours on one airplane after the next.

Say yes to a glass of wine, a home cooked meal and good conversation after hours of travel and pure exhaustion.

Jules was head over heels for America. I remember Rihanna saying, “Mums obsessed with America!” I spent the evening answering every question in the book. They had come to America as a family a couple years ago, yet they were absolutely fascinated by every detail about me and my life.

Say yes to an invitation to watch Love Island.

Sit out in the garden, say yes to a cup of tea and spark conversation in the “common area.”

Ask questions. Engage.

The conversation may whisk away the afternoon, turn into a stroll to the grocery store with Jules, more wine and more delicious food.

Say yes to a beach day with Jules, Rihanna and Betsie.

Ask for recommendations, locals LOVE to tell you about their sweet home.

Share your story, be an open book.

Go wine tasting by yourself, meet the sweetest group of British girls who insist on taking you for Pimms after the tasting. Make plans for them to take you to their fav wine bar when you’re in London the following week even if it doesn’t happen.

Just be you.