Solo Diaries: Traveling to the South of France
In the last two years I have had a weird pull/urge to travel to France. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in Canada and the Canadian-French culture was always immersed within our studies, or even simply just the longing for a new place to explore. The French culture has always enamored me and I decided to take a quick leap of faith to go alone in order to experience it.
I had booked my solo travel during the month of April when a lot of conflicting change was happening within me. The best way that I know how to work out an unsettling feeling is by booking a plane ticket. To some, this may seem like a very scattered pattern of dealing with an internal issue; but to me, I think it’s best when I get a new perspective away from the environment that my issue is embedded within.
So, I booked a ticket to the South of France. It just made sense to me.
Boarding off the plane, I had this odd feeling wash over me of such grounding energy. It felt exciting to get lost within a place. To truly discover and to wander. I guess it felt refreshing to able to not be expected to be somewhere at a certain time or schedule. Or to work with someone’s wants and to do lists during a trip. Purely just my schedule and on my own time. It was rejuvenating to not be expected of.
I stayed in a hostel my entire time I was in Nice. It was amazing to be able to be central of every little town next to it. Antibes, Cap d’ail, Monaco, Villefranche-sur-mer, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, etc, were all accessible via train or bus.
My first night there I had such a long talk with two women who were backpacking around Europe. I have always taken a liking to talking to strangers because there is this sweet serendipity that takes place when sharing a heart-to-heart fleeting conversation. We talked about everything… from topics like where we grew up, relationships, why we chose to solo travel, places we’ve been, and even pet peeves. The conversation flowed until midnight and it was the perfect ‘welcome’ moment during my first night there.
The rest of my days were taking the train out to the neighboring towns as I mentioned. The highlight of my days were spending it in the towns of Antibes and Cap D’ail/Villefranche-sur-mer.
Cap D’ail and Villefranche-sur-mer was accompanied by a girl I had met at the hostel. We both had the same idea for how we wanted to spend our day and it worked out perfectly. We found cool spots along Cap D’ail and spent our time jumping in the water. We probably spent 5 hours or so just chatting about our lives. Although she was a stranger, it had felt like we had known each other for so long. We then decided to do some town hopping to Villefranche-sur-mer and we simply just walked around the charming town. Conversation flowed and the company on my first full day was oh so sweet.
As for my first real solo day - I decided to spend my time in Antibes. I went to the early hours of the Farmer’s Market and then decided to go for the infamous coastal walk before the sun started beating on me. Seeing the cliffs off the side to the mediterranean sea was astonishing; and I had fun taking my own time amongst the coast. The walk took about an hour or so - and then somehow I ended up by this gorgeous beach bay. The water was the clearest I had seen, there were boats sprinkled across by the shore, and cliff sides hanging around the bay. I was giggling like a little kid whilst diving in between the small waves. It was nice to hear the salt bubbles kissing my ears and the sun warmed me within its’ embrace. It was magical swimming within the mediterranean sea. It felt so renewing.
As the days went on, I spent a lot of my time at beach side cliffs, exploring small local shops, journaling and eating an insane amount of croissants and baguettes, and then had multiple solo dinners out in the town. Of course, there is so much to speak about my experience during my first solo trip - but I would like to keep that magic to myself.
Leading up to my trip - to those I would talk about my plans going abroad solo, many coined and complimented me as “brave.” Looking back, I don’t think it was necessarily brave of me. Courageous, sure, perhaps. But, I think many people would be surprised of what they are truly capable of when you’re pushed to do things alone.
And the surprising thing is, is that I didn’t feel alone at all. There were strangers to talk to, and the World to meet. How could I even feel alone? So much new perspectives and experiences waiting to be explored.
I was so incredibly comfortable with the act of figuring it out and getting lost on my own terms. I laughed whenever I missed the bus, wandered when I took the wrong turn up a street, or pushed myself harder to walk in the sweltering heat in order to make it in time for the train. It felt good to allow myself to get lost; and simultaneously have fun while doing so.
I think to experience somethings by yourself is incredbly magical in sense. You become more intune and aware of every single thing. As if your senses heighten. To be able to truly be aware of my capabilities and the experience of solo traveling was impactful.
Going back to what I had previously said about your capability to be alone - it is true. That saying of: “the best company is yourself” is very true. I think to truly know what you’re capable of is to get comfortable about doing things alone; and even wanting to do things alone.
All my love,
Brejette Nepa