Relatives: You’re going to Chengdu?
Me: Yes
Them: Alone?
Me: Yes (Here we go again)
Them: By yourself?
Me: Yes… (How many times do I have to repeat this)
Them: THAT’S CRAZY! You got any ideas how dangerous it is for a little girl like you to travel by yourself? Go cancel that ticket right now and buy a direct flight to Fuzhou!
That’s 95% of the conversations I had when people heard about my upcoming week long solo trip to Chengdu.
My cousin’s wedding date was set at the beginning of December. The perfectly cool 60s temperature (~17°C) in Fuzhou made December the ideal wedding month. The US attendees were my mom, my aunt, and me. Normally, we will travel together for this event. Yet they were both shackled down by the busy work schedules, thanks to Thanksgiving. I was told to go first.
Here’s the original plan:
NY -> Fuzhou
Now it’s this:
NY -> Chengdu (1 week) -> Fuzhou
Table of Contents
So how did this happen?
As I was booking my flights, I noticed most connecting flights are at Chengdu and Chongqing.
Hmm.. I had never been to these two cities before.
That’s when an idea popped up in my mind.
I quickly changed my round-trip search into a multi-city search. Chengdu became my first stop. I snatched my tickets at the same price as I would need to pay for my original plan. It’s two cities for the price of one.
Chengdu became a free trip!!!
NY -> Chengdu -> Fuzhou & Fuzhou -> NY (with connecting in Chengdu)
With further research, I found out it’s possible to go to 3 cities for the same price. However, since I was planning on bringing 2 full suitcases on the return trip, I gave up on the idea. It’s too much of a hassle.
NY -> Chengdu -> Fuzhou & Fuzhou -> Chongqing -> NY
It’s going to be great! I could have a small taste of what’s it like to travel solo before committing to it. Solo travel has been a big part of my bucket list. And it’s about to become a reality.
Of course, all the phone calls I received from my anxious relatives as they heard about my crazy move quickly buried that excitement. The talk of solo female travel is unheard of before. It became a daily task to convince every one of them not to worry about me.
I was confident about a solo trip. Plus, Chengdu is not a dangerous city. Based on their initial reactions though…thank goodness, I did not leak more details.
I’ve actually extended my trip by another 3 weeks so I could travel the rest of Asia alone. 🤯
Start of solo travel
Fast forward 3 weeks, at 11pm, I stepped out of the car at JFK airport. I waved my dad goodbye as I walked into the international terminal with only a carry-on bag. My heart was thumping rapidly as I’m filled with excitement and nervousness. My first solo trip has officially started.
“The world is mine to conquer!” I shouted. Just kidding, I haven’t reached that level of crazy courage yet …
My plane was scheduled to take off at 1:50AM, so it’s a pretty late flight. So late that this fear instantly ran through my mind — I will doze off and say goodbye to the plane.
I started to distract myself.
Taking quick glances each time someone approaches the gate. Staring at the monitor to make sure the boarding time remains the same.
Rereading about Chengdu’s metro. Taking screenshots of everything so I have access even without data. Making sure I got all my documents in place.
The list goes on and on…
I don’t even remember how many times I checked to see if I had my passport. You figured that by getting past the security gate, I should know for sure I have my passport.
But nope.
Sometimes I wonder, am I the only one this paranoid?
Boarding the plane
As the time ticked closer to boarding, people started lining up. I hurried behind them, dragging my 15lb backpack. Walking past the boarding gate, through the bridge, I noticed a basketful of earbuds and newspapers.
Yes!
Now I could watch movies.
It sounds tedious to stay inside a moving metal box for 15+ hours. Yet, I had an extremely pleasant time.
I had agreed to switch seats with a family so they can sit together.
I figured why not? I’m alone anyway.
And you know what they say about good deeds lead to good karma.
The seat that I switched to ended up becoming an empty row! I now have a bed.
During the flight, I binge watched three movies to flip my sleep schedule. There’s nothing better than having good movies, good food, and good sleep all on one plane.
I emerged from the plane fully awake and ready.
It’s a wondrous start to an adventure!
How did you start your first solo trip? Share your stories below!