This blog was written by gap fellow Owen Dyer.
Do you have a reservation? – Sorry, we don’t have space.
Wait, WHAT? How do you not have space for one person?
A little back story…Last month, on Valentine’s Day, I decided to take a solo trip to one of the top places on my bucket list…ITALY.
I traveled to Rome and had the best time, but it was on this trip that I realized the pros and cons of solo travel were becoming just quite more noticeable. Before this trip, I had traveled within the US and abroad by myself, and I had gotten quite comfortable doing ‘all the things’ alone. Being solo in a new place is so exhilarating to me (scary at times) but very exciting. Wandering the random streets of the city and finding the best hidden gems are things I have become a pro at over the past 7 months. When solo, I get to pick the places I want to see, eat at the restaurants of my choice, wake up and get ready when I choose, and travel at my pace, fast or slow, without having to accommodate another person.
I did a lot of planning before visiting Rome. I knew that a city of this size had lots of “tourist” traps and other havens that tourists would gather around, and it was my mission to avoid these. I mainly created a list of local spots and attractions that I wanted to for sure hit, and everything in between would be based on my current mood. With the knowledge of Valentines Day, I did make one reservation at a restaurant (based on a recommendation from a friend at home) right beside the Coliseum. So, I spent my Valentine’s Day dinner sitting across the street from the Coliseum…alone. Not only was I solo, but I was also awkwardly seated beside a ‘lovey-dovey’ couple spending their romantic evening. I was grossed out. But the view of the Coliseum was worth it!
The following day, I spent the afternoon with no plan for the evening. I learned that there were over 500,000 places to eat in Rome, so whether I had a plan or not, I wasn’t going to go hungry. — So, when dinner time arrived, I looked at my collection of dining options that I created, and there was this one place left on my list…the oldest restaurant in Rome. Okay, let’s try it out.
The restaurant did not open until 8 PM, and I arrived about 15 minutes before opening and walked inside. I asked for a table for one. This is where I received a response I’ve never, ever, ever, I mean ever, gotten before…“Do you have a reservation?” My immediate thought was, “I’m one person; do I need a reservation?” I replied no, and I was denied a seat. One body. One little person. One. Single. Uno. Denied.
I was mad. I was frustrated. I was confused. I was Upset. So, I then did the most logical thing: I Googled the restaurant and tried to make a last-minute reservation for the same night for a table for one. But there wasn’t one available. I began to search for another eatery and had dinner, but when writing this, it has made me realize that this small inconvenience can be taken to another level. Solo travel isn’t always easy. It can be stressful, lonely, fun, eye-opening, and even weird. There are always going to be small disturbances in your plans and barriers to overcome, but how you react to these is what makes the experience. It’s how you grow, how you adapt, and how you approach these scenarios that alter how you view the world and others around you. Maybe I wasn’t meant to dine at that particular restaurant; maybe I would have sat at a table where a couple was about to get engaged or maybe even a first date that was bound to become a lifelong relationship.
In the end, being solo is cool. Let’s normalize that. I’d say I’m pretty good at starting trends.