Enjoying Yourself & Knowing Your Surroundings

Enjoying yourself &Knowing your Surroundings March 21, 2018 So as promised I am picking up where I left off. Even when you are with a friend it’s always good to stay aware of what your surroundings are and who is near you. It’s not being paranoid while traveling, it’s about being smart, but enjoying yourself. So my friend and I checked into the Park Plaza. That is where I stay whenever I travel to Boston. I generally can find deals and I just love the feel of staying I a place that has history and I have always been treated very well. The first night we had to ourselves. Saturday I would be at an author event so we just wanted to unwind. So we headed to The Black Rose. This Irish Pub has a storied past and one that I had known about since I was little so I love going there. We had dinner, but the night is young. Both my friend and I love to go out dancing but don’t want to spend a huge amount on a cover charge. So we ask at the pub and they point us in the direction of another Irish pub down around the corner. They have a place to dance upstairs. We go sit at the bar. The bartender comes and takes our orders and comes back with our drinks. It’s not long before two men from Somalia come and sit next to me. Normally if you turn your body that is a hint. Not so with these two. My friend and I are not in our own neighborhood and we don’t want trouble. Finally, the bartender, who was very perceptive comes over and says in a low voice, “Are those two bothering you?” The bartender was from Boston, looked very Irish but the accent was all Boston. I said, “Yea, they aren’t taking any of my hints.” He told me not to worry, he would take care of it. Then after he told “Mutt & Jeff” to go and that my friend and I were not interested, another older fellow came by. I guess we had a sign on us that said: “we are from out of town…” Finally, it was about 10 pm and I was tired but I still wanted to go dancing. The bartender came over with a guy who looked like the comedian Gabirel Iglesias, or better known as @FluffyGuy. This guy in front of us could have been his double. The Bartender said he would watch out for us. I think he felt we needed watching… So for the next few hours, we danced the night away. At closing, he made sure we got a cab. So thankfully we had someone, a guardian angel watching over us. Normally by myself, I wouldn’t be out that late Normally when I am in Boston, I am doing history stuff or museums. Going to the Museum of Fine Art, where there is a project called the Giza Project that my Uncle George Reisner started, who was one of the most important Archeologists of the early 20th century. Genealogy is another reason for me going to Boston. BUT whatever your reason for traveling, plan ahead, be aware of your surroundings but have FUN!

The Beginning Essentials & Know Your Surroundings

The Beginning Essentials & Know Your Surroundings March 20, 2018 Ok, so this is a blog about traveling. It’s a blog about baby boomers and particularly women who want to travel either by themselves or with a friend. Now I have been traveling to SE Asia since 1996. I also lived there for 11+ years. I have gone through a coup d’ etat, riots, being held up by Khmer Rough Soldiers so not a lot fazes me. I had two babies at my home in Cambodia and was in a very bad motorcycle crash. Then add to that, being a retired Interior Firefighter and you have a woman who has seen a lot and has a good dose of common sense. You will come along for the ride wherever I may be. I am chatty in person and I will try to make you feel at home here and talk to you like you are my friend. Please if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask. Now I want to give a disclaimer right off. This blog is for information only. Every trip is different and each person has to exercise caution. Always remember if you go on a trip, you are responsible for yourself. I can tell you about my trip, what I thought was cool, hotels that were great, clean, and safe. Again, if someone finds out you are traveling by yourself and says “What are you doing tonight?” You have to answer with a good common sense answer. Always be aware of your surroundings. So what are the rewards of being a solo woman traveler? You realize you are stronger. It’s like being a single parent for a long time. It’s just you. Yes, a lot of the days stink, but there are those days that are really good. Yes, there are days that you would love to share the responsibility and burdens but after going through a divorce, it’s good to get to know yourself. So traveling solo is the same. If you feel better just going for an overnight to a city close by. Go, have a great time. Same rules apply though, be smart and know what you are going to do and know your surroundings. I think that will be our mantra. Tomorrow I will pick this up and tell you about a story of when my BESTIE and I went to Boston for the weekend back in 2014. What trouble could two women from Camden, Maine get into down in Boston? I was going to a December Author Event… Ok, I will stop there and talk to you tomorrow.

Here in Wicked Cold Maine

Traveling with Mary March 19, 2018 I am still in “Wicked” cold Maine. It is nothing like SE Asia for sure. Once I get moving though, you will be traveling along with me either here or on my vlog. I will be putting out a lot of info for all of you, especially women who may want to travel but maybe a bit fearful to “go it alone”. I have done a lot of traveling, around the states and over in Asia and SE Asia. Two years ago I flew into Qatar for the very first time. That was a trip in itself. Not only will I bring to the table what I see, hear, taste, and experience as a solo, woman traveler but I will also post some ideas from other women travelers. So Stay tuned.

Hello From Cold Maine

Hello from Cold Maine March 18, 2018 Hello to all. I will be getting my site ready here and my youtube page too. I am here in Camden Maine where there is still a lot of snow and it is still wicked cold. Once everything is up and running I will be heading to Cambodia and SE Asia. So stay tuned.