alrajee

Adieu, Daddy. Thank you.

Adieu, Daddy. Thank you.

Adieu, Daddy. Thank you.

Adieu, Daddy. Thank you.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Thank you for all your updates, Cooper. Although they haven't been the easiest to read, it gives me some comfort that at least he is being given a fighting chance.

Overrated Tokyo tourist spot: The Robot Restaurant. Although entertaining, it's too expensive.
Underrated Tokyo tourist spot: Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. Almost-360 views of the city for free.

So glad the warm weather is coming, so we’ll see beautiful feet in sandals or just bare!

Solo travel is for me, the best way to travel. You can be as outgoing or as introverted as you want—and you can change almost everything about your trip on a whim. Two years ago I was in Europe for a month. I only planned on visiting one friend in Switzerland. The rest of my stay in the continent was going to be what I felt like doing; I crossed off eight new countries (the Baltic states and a few micronations) on top of the usual suspects like France, Germany, and Spain.
 
Although I'm not the extroverted type, I was happy to strike up a conversation with a random patron at a bar, and many of these friends I still keep in touch with. Many of them have even invited me to their cities whenever travel is possible again and I find myself in Europe.
 
I check in with my family here in the U.S. every night that I'm traveling and message friends on Facebook as well, because I don't make a habit out of posting photos as things happen. Call me old-fashioned, but I take a few photos, then I put my camera down and enjoy the moment. Only when I come back home do I photo-dump.
 
Here are my tips, many of them assumes that there's some sense of normalcy back in the world:

Pack light. In general, don't bring a lot of stuff, but it's a lot more important to do so if you're solo. The fewer things you have to mind, the better. Besides, nobody cares if you repeat an outfit several times.
Hostels often have free walking tours (tips appreciated). If you need a way to get your bearings in a new city, these tours are it. Befriend a fellow solo traveler at the tour and ask if they want to hang out.
Going to theme parks by yourself is awesome because many in-demand attractions have solo rider lines. I rode Expedition Everest over at Animal Kingdom so many times until I almost threw up.
Similarly, museums are excellent places to visit. You can spend an entire day just appreciating the works of art they have on display.
Buy a wide-angle lens for your camera so that your selfies don't end up just close-ups of your face. If your phone is your primary camera, get a GorillaPod (or a generic tripod) and a remote shutter instead.
Go with your gut instinct before asking a stranger to take your picture. Most of the time, if you are in the same enclosed space or if they're traveling as a family, you're in the clear to ask. You can also hire a freelance photographer (Airbnb Experiences is a great place to find them) for an hour or two. For my preference—which is to just have photos of me at different spots, none of that staged, emote-y pap—I'm fine with going for the cheapest.
Bars with live entertainment (piano, jazz, comedy, drag) are great if you want to have a drink but not feel pressured to mingle, because there's somebody commanding the attention of the entire audience.

NYC - Andy @ W Men Spa. The man knows feet!

I agree. That's why I didn't feel the need to ask him about the sudden shift in behavior. He doesn't owe me any explanation whatsoever.
 
I'll cool off definitely, @keroscenefire , although I am more on the side of not contacting him anymore.

Upping my almost two-year-old thread.
 
The guy in question messaged me and asked if I was interested in meeting up. No pleasantries, “hope you’re staying heathy,” nothing. Didn’t even say my name; just a generic “hey.”
 
I could have talked to him about his discourtesy towards me, to clear the air first and maybe rebuild our relationship that was soured by the events years ago, but it became very clear that this is how he is. I said I’m not interested and told him to never message me again.
 
Deleted his number and the thread from my phone and audibly said “Good riddance.”
 
I’ll say it again, “Good riddance.”

Solo travel is for me, the best way to travel. You can be as outgoing or as introverted as you want—and you can change almost everything about your trip on a whim. Two years ago I was in Europe for a month. I only planned on visiting one friend in Switzerland. The rest of my stay in the continent was going to be what I felt like doing; I crossed off eight new countries (the Baltic states and a few micronations) on top of the usual suspects like France, Germany, and Spain.
 
Although I'm not the extroverted type, I was happy to strike up a conversation with a random patron at a bar, and many of these friends I still keep in touch with. Many of them have even invited me to their cities whenever travel is possible again and I find myself in Europe.
 
I check in with my family here in the U.S. every night that I'm traveling and message friends on Facebook as well, because I don't make a habit out of posting photos as things happen. Call me old-fashioned, but I take a few photos, then I put my camera down and enjoy the moment. Only when I come back home do I photo-dump.
 
Here are my tips, many of them assumes that there's some sense of normalcy back in the world:

Pack light. In general, don't bring a lot of stuff, but it's a lot more important to do so if you're solo. The fewer things you have to mind, the better. Besides, nobody cares if you repeat an outfit several times.
Hostels often have free walking tours (tips appreciated). If you need a way to get your bearings in a new city, these tours are it. Befriend a fellow solo traveler at the tour and ask if they want to hang out.
Going to theme parks by yourself is awesome because many in-demand attractions have solo rider lines. I rode Expedition Everest over at Animal Kingdom so many times until I almost threw up.
Similarly, museums are excellent places to visit. You can spend an entire day just appreciating the works of art they have on display.
Buy a wide-angle lens for your camera so that your selfies don't end up just close-ups of your face. If your phone is your primary camera, get a GorillaPod (or a generic tripod) and a remote shutter instead.
Go with your gut instinct before asking a stranger to take your picture. Most of the time, if you are in the same enclosed space or if they're traveling as a family, you're in the clear to ask. You can also hire a freelance photographer (Airbnb Experiences is a great place to find them) for an hour or two. For my preference—which is to just have photos of me at different spots, none of that staged, emote-y pap—I'm fine with going for the cheapest.
Bars with live entertainment (piano, jazz, comedy, drag) are great if you want to have a drink but not feel pressured to mingle, because there's somebody commanding the attention of the entire audience.

Thanks for the update!

Upping my almost two-year-old thread.
 
The guy in question messaged me and asked if I was interested in meeting up. No pleasantries, “hope you’re staying heathy,” nothing. Didn’t even say my name; just a generic “hey.”
 
I could have talked to him about his discourtesy towards me, to clear the air first and maybe rebuild our relationship that was soured by the events years ago, but it became very clear that this is how he is. I said I’m not interested and told him to never message me again.
 
Deleted his number and the thread from my phone and audibly said “Good riddance.”
 
I’ll say it again, “Good riddance.”

There's a guy that I meet on a regular basis whenever I'm in his city. What happens in our meetings are quite limited, he has made his boundaries clear at the very beginning of our work relationship, and I agreed to them. And I never once attempted to cross them.
 
He also gave me a rate that was lower than the average market value, adjusted for the type of services he provides.
 
Last week, I tried to book him again. He was gruff and for no reason that I could think of, quoted me prices above market average. Thinking that he's now willing to provide more than what we used to share, I asked what can I expect in our meeting. He replied "same boundaries as before."
 
I replied along the lines of how much I enjoy his company, but I didn't find his new rate to be fair for what we get to do. I didn't think there was any reason to ask why the rate increase and the sudden coldness, so I just went ahead and cancelled the meeting.
 
I shrugged and said to myself that it's time to move on. Although I'd be lying if I said I'm no longer befuddled by the whole thing.

Upping my almost two-year-old thread.
 
The guy in question messaged me and asked if I was interested in meeting up. No pleasantries, “hope you’re staying heathy,” nothing. Didn’t even say my name; just a generic “hey.”
 
I could have talked to him about his discourtesy towards me, to clear the air first and maybe rebuild our relationship that was soured by the events years ago, but it became very clear that this is how he is. I said I’m not interested and told him to never message me again.
 
Deleted his number and the thread from my phone and audibly said “Good riddance.”
 
I’ll say it again, “Good riddance.”

Solo travel is for me, the best way to travel. You can be as outgoing or as introverted as you want—and you can change almost everything about your trip on a whim. Two years ago I was in Europe for a month. I only planned on visiting one friend in Switzerland. The rest of my stay in the continent was going to be what I felt like doing; I crossed off eight new countries (the Baltic states and a few micronations) on top of the usual suspects like France, Germany, and Spain.
 
Although I'm not the extroverted type, I was happy to strike up a conversation with a random patron at a bar, and many of these friends I still keep in touch with. Many of them have even invited me to their cities whenever travel is possible again and I find myself in Europe.
 
I check in with my family here in the U.S. every night that I'm traveling and message friends on Facebook as well, because I don't make a habit out of posting photos as things happen. Call me old-fashioned, but I take a few photos, then I put my camera down and enjoy the moment. Only when I come back home do I photo-dump.
 
Here are my tips, many of them assumes that there's some sense of normalcy back in the world:

Pack light. In general, don't bring a lot of stuff, but it's a lot more important to do so if you're solo. The fewer things you have to mind, the better. Besides, nobody cares if you repeat an outfit several times.
Hostels often have free walking tours (tips appreciated). If you need a way to get your bearings in a new city, these tours are it. Befriend a fellow solo traveler at the tour and ask if they want to hang out.
Going to theme parks by yourself is awesome because many in-demand attractions have solo rider lines. I rode Expedition Everest over at Animal Kingdom so many times until I almost threw up.
Similarly, museums are excellent places to visit. You can spend an entire day just appreciating the works of art they have on display.
Buy a wide-angle lens for your camera so that your selfies don't end up just close-ups of your face. If your phone is your primary camera, get a GorillaPod (or a generic tripod) and a remote shutter instead.
Go with your gut instinct before asking a stranger to take your picture. Most of the time, if you are in the same enclosed space or if they're traveling as a family, you're in the clear to ask. You can also hire a freelance photographer (Airbnb Experiences is a great place to find them) for an hour or two. For my preference—which is to just have photos of me at different spots, none of that staged, emote-y pap—I'm fine with going for the cheapest.
Bars with live entertainment (piano, jazz, comedy, drag) are great if you want to have a drink but not feel pressured to mingle, because there's somebody commanding the attention of the entire audience.

Solo travel is for me, the best way to travel. You can be as outgoing or as introverted as you want—and you can change almost everything about your trip on a whim. Two years ago I was in Europe for a month. I only planned on visiting one friend in Switzerland. The rest of my stay in the continent was going to be what I felt like doing; I crossed off eight new countries (the Baltic states and a few micronations) on top of the usual suspects like France, Germany, and Spain.
 
Although I'm not the extroverted type, I was happy to strike up a conversation with a random patron at a bar, and many of these friends I still keep in touch with. Many of them have even invited me to their cities whenever travel is possible again and I find myself in Europe.
 
I check in with my family here in the U.S. every night that I'm traveling and message friends on Facebook as well, because I don't make a habit out of posting photos as things happen. Call me old-fashioned, but I take a few photos, then I put my camera down and enjoy the moment. Only when I come back home do I photo-dump.
 
Here are my tips, many of them assumes that there's some sense of normalcy back in the world:

Pack light. In general, don't bring a lot of stuff, but it's a lot more important to do so if you're solo. The fewer things you have to mind, the better. Besides, nobody cares if you repeat an outfit several times.
Hostels often have free walking tours (tips appreciated). If you need a way to get your bearings in a new city, these tours are it. Befriend a fellow solo traveler at the tour and ask if they want to hang out.
Going to theme parks by yourself is awesome because many in-demand attractions have solo rider lines. I rode Expedition Everest over at Animal Kingdom so many times until I almost threw up.
Similarly, museums are excellent places to visit. You can spend an entire day just appreciating the works of art they have on display.
Buy a wide-angle lens for your camera so that your selfies don't end up just close-ups of your face. If your phone is your primary camera, get a GorillaPod (or a generic tripod) and a remote shutter instead.
Go with your gut instinct before asking a stranger to take your picture. Most of the time, if you are in the same enclosed space or if they're traveling as a family, you're in the clear to ask. You can also hire a freelance photographer (Airbnb Experiences is a great place to find them) for an hour or two. For my preference—which is to just have photos of me at different spots, none of that staged, emote-y pap—I'm fine with going for the cheapest.
Bars with live entertainment (piano, jazz, comedy, drag) are great if you want to have a drink but not feel pressured to mingle, because there's somebody commanding the attention of the entire audience.