Haha, I think the first time he had tacos was in Los Angeles!
it’s a funny story meeting him. I was hysterical when I first saw him because I wasn’t feeling well (indulged in too many spicy tacos the night before) and had removed myself from the line (to get into the museum) to sit in the shade while my friends waited, and one of my friends, who is extremely extroverted, started talking to him and called me up to get a picture with him “because it was my birthday but I was feeling ill” and he joked with “I don’t want to take pictures with a sick person!” But he was lovely and so modest actually and had my second air after meeting him. And yes we took a picture with him. The next day we bumped into him at the park and I asked him if he was following us around and he joked he was only following around the birthday girl (me) and gave me a wink 
of course that night I told my partner that I was never coming back, I was only coming back for my dog 
Turns out we had a very similar itinerary.
I still joke that he’s my celebrity crush because he’s funny and lovely in person as he is on tv.
I get that! See I’m the opposite, I love planning if I’m traveling with a group of friends. And I feel like my friends trust my research and planning so they follow my lead. If I’m traveling alone or with my partner we only tentatively plan things and we take more relaxing vacations together.
I love doing one tropical vacation a year, to me they’re very relaxing, plus it’s nice to get away when it’s freezing cold and no sun in Chicago. I like doing those with my partner. We joke that we don’t know if we could ever work remotely from a beautiful beach or island, we’d never get anything done! All we want to do is lay in the sun, read books and drink spritz.
Plenty of folks enjoy researching and making travel plans. More power to you all.
If you live somewhere like Chicago, it makes sense to escape winter. I love it during other times of year. I couldn’t hack your cold and snow.
My work involves making craploads of decisions and plans affecting lots of people and our business. Many moving parts and details. When I think about what’s relaxing or fun for travel or leisure, it involves making as few plans as possible, LOL.
I love museums, history and culture. That’s a key reason we live in the D.C. area. And NY is an easy train ride away.
Yeah, the weather here is pretty extreme. 
I often question myself (mainly in the winter) why I live here, but then Spring and Fall come, and I have amnesia. The truth is Chicago is diverse and rich in culture, and I love that. We rarely fly anywhere in the summertime because there are many fun events and outdoor activities.
I also do planning at my job, mainly fixing processes and improving efficiency. I love it, so combining two passions (planning and traveling) is not a hassle for me, but I understand how it might be if you have many people constantly depending on you.
And I love DC; I need to make it out there sometime soon. I have a friend that is working there on a year’s contract.
What you are doing is serving as a wonderful role model for your daughter.
They see us, the world and their choices in life expand.
I traveled quite a bit with my 2 youngest daughters since they were 3 and 5. We had a conversion van and made many mad spontaneous road trips, just us.
When they got older I once took them a great adventure they have never forgotten. 3 weeks, several states on tour with The Backstreet Boys! 
it was pure madness and joyful.
Now one is akin to a tree. Has her « forever home » no interest in travel.
The other has been to more countries than I have, A LOT.
Free to make their own conscious choices, each happy and content.
I was a press photographer many years ago…think you may have something there. 
As a Solo Female Traveler what are your main considerations or concerns when planning your travels or as you travel, if you are one of many in perpetual motion?
Some online searches show the top five being:
- Safety - Destinations
- Cost - Single travel is more expensive
- Loneliness - Being alone
- Boredom - No one to share experiences with
- Travel essentials - Not readily available
This blog post addresses some of the location safety concerns expressed by SFT
What are some of the concerns you had/have and how did you overcome them?
If you have never traveled solo and always wanted to what was the main concerns stopping you from taking the leap?
Help develop the conversation … 
Safety first for me. Personally, I don’t look at sits if the HO is a single male. Has to be female or a couple. The next is a bit of a paradox; I don’t like to be totally isolated although I seek out rural secluded locations.
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Safety- I have to say I am very adventurous and willing to go and stay at some places most oI know would not. I enjoy challenges.
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Cost- I manage well mindfully
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Lonely and 4. boredom - Never! At least not in years! I used to dread being alone. It was a process but my solitude now is a treasured gift. I enjoy the time and space to just be and I always entertain myself. I’m god company.
That being said, when I do make contact with others I enjoy it all the more. -
Travel essentials- have really cut back on what I once thought as essential. Also a process of needs vs wants. I have learned and continue to realize I can do with less than I think. If I do have a need I look, ask and see how and where I can do with what is available.
For me it’s great fun to discover what I can actually do on my own.
How did I overcome myself?
Realized it’s just a game, the game of life.
I came to play.
Thanks to @MissChef for opening up this fascinating conversation on the SFT/SWT we’ve delved further into the subject with some very interesting results … We’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on the findings in this 2023 SFT Report …
Whether it’s for some much-needed rest and relaxation, an exciting and new WFH office view, or to live like a local in a unique city with the companionship of a new fluffy friend, women are traveling solo more than ever before! In fact, from 2021 to 2022, there was a 193% increase in the number of women completing overnight stays by themselves with TrustedHousesitters.
If you are wondering how you can take the leap or perhaps better prepare yourself to do just that while there is plenty of help, advice and information available from our members and other groups of women travelers here we share the Top 10 Tips based on research and conversations with the women who do
Love love love both these articles and the direction THS is taking to address solo female travelers and encourage women to this exciting way of life.
Solo traveling today 
but will definitely comment more appropriately when I am able.
Looking great @Amparo. You inspire us all.
@Sunshine_G I couldn’t have said it better myself. This is exactly our situation. I travel on my own frequently and hubby knows I need it, and encourages it. Very few thing nurture independence as having to figure things out on your own.
Is the US safe for solo female travelers? Here are 10 places to visit.
““I found myself solo again and needed to get away and clear my head and heal my heart,” Bernard, 59, said.”
Bernard is just one of many women traveling solo. More and more women are interested in packing their bags and hitting the road on their own, according to a 2022 survey.
Have you traveled to any of these States as a TrustedHousesitters Solo Female Traveler ?
You’ll find more SFT stories on the website blog
Ok solo extraordinary women;
Who has been and what can you share about Tangier? Morroco?
I have some free time in between sits and I want to explore new places while I can.
Also considering Turkey.
Coffee is calling 
@Amparo solo extraordinary, woman traveller here 
I ABSOLUTELY love Morocco, I didn’t get as far north as Tangier and kinda glad I didn’t. This is only from my perspective from what I have heard from people who have been to that particular area of Morocco so please be kind everyone!
As it is such a short ferry trip from Spain, I feel that it is probably not “the real Morocco” because so many tourists hop over even for a day. VERY touristy. But I’m sure if you actually stayed for a few days and got around, away from the main port area, it would probably be good. Excerpt below from how I imagine it to be but again, I haven’t been but did most of the rest of Morocco and it is still up there with my favourite places in the world. But I stay long term and really got around. I do believe that a place is what you make it and not everyone enjoys or likes the same places.
Turkey? Omg I love Turkey (now spelt Turkiye) also and don’t think you would be disappointed, I did a LOT of Turkiye and loved loved everywhere.
I think you are tough enough to deal with the touts and bargaining and touristy rip offs etc etc in Tangier and as it is so easy to get to, I would definitely go. Turkiye or Tangier? Oooh hard one, but I doubt you will be disappointed with either. Do it do it!
Excerpt from Trip Advisor review, one of hundreds…
I don’t doubt that Tangier does have some amazing places and things to do but it is very much the Moroccan equivalent to Dover in the UK. It is a place of transit…used by but rarely embraced by tourists. The fast money available due to people having just arrived in the country has brought some unscrupulous people to the surface and I can imagine why a person just visiting Tangier would have no desire to go back and see the rest of Morocco.
We got off the train in Marrakech and immediately realised that this was a different breed of city. You can see the effects of tourism and it is still full of shops or hotels that really stick out as ‘western’ but everything seemed much more laidback. We went on to see what an incredible country Morocco is and had some fabulous experiences.
@Amparo we spent a month in Morocco and though we didn’t visit Tangier, we spent time in Marrakech and it has to be one of our least favorite cities. I’m not solo, but if I were, I think I would have disliked it even more. We loved our time we spent on a guided trek through the Atlas mountains and visiting various Berber villages. It was truly fascinating. We also loved Essaouira and wish we had spent more time there.
We’re heading to Türkiye at the end of February for 9 weeks. Never been and really looking forward to it.
Thank you! I had a feeling you would have some wonderful insight.
I have a week in January which is meh, not enough time as like you I need to absorb well the feels of the people and culture.
So keeping an open mind and calendar for a bit later in May where I now have almost 3 months free. Sometimes cancellations are opportunities in disguise.
Sounds wonderful @Knowmad. Thanks that does help.
Have an amazing time and please do come back and share, please.