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Smart Solo Traveler - Leaving Canada on a solo travel trip across the WorldI waited patiently for my plane in the Toronto Pearson airport. After having read so many articles on how to be a smart solo travellor I figured I had everything covered. I was a pro at flying solo, having done so since I was 7 years old. I no longer needed to wear the big sign that stated UM advising the stewardesses I was an unoccompanied minor. After all I was in my twenties. When my flight announced its bording I felt a little bit sad and scared at the same time. This was the last time I would be in Canada for quite a while ... maybe a year or more. "Goodbye native land". I had a long wait at JFK before my flight to Taiwan left. I was looking forward to proving to myself that I could indeed do anything. Backflipping out of a plane hadn't been enough for me ... I was searching for something more. A working holiday visa to Australia was just the adventure I needed. I didn't mind going by myself. It was just like a Neil Young song I had heard ... "So you say your leaving home because you want to be alone". I had some things to think about and figured a week in Taiwan would give me that real taste of Asia that the local Chinese food restaurant had not offered. Finally midnight was approaching and my flight would be leaving. I sat with the other passengers at our gate. I realized I was not going to blend in. I was one of four caucasian travellors the other three whom were men and the only blonde on the flight. Girl power? My stomache was rolling with fear. "What have I done?" is what I whispered into my coffee trying to remain cool. On the plane I felt a bit better. Movies and wine kept me distracted. My seat partner seemed horrified by my wine consumption with breakfast. "Its after 12pm in Halifax" I joked. I don't think he understood what I said. My fitfull sleep was interrupted by that familiar jingle of a message from the captain. We were preparing for landing. My stomache clenched and rolled. I had that feeling of adreline and fear I had before my first skydive. Why was I doing this?? The airport in Taiwan seemed like a military base compared to the Halifax International Airport. I was a little suprised however. I expected the landscape to be somehow much different. The sky was blue, the leaves were green. I was going to get through this. After getting my luggage I carefully read my directions to the hostel folded in a paper back. I tried to pretend I had been here many times and walked confidently towards the shuttle bus for the Lai Lai Shereton Hotel. I could not figure out which one to take. An older gentleman asked if I needed help and so I took his advise . On the shuttle I studied the directions to my hostel "upon arriving at the hotel, turn right, take the first left and then the first right.. no problem". It was early in the morning in Taiwan. We drove past some brightly lit stripjoints. Fancy houses, modest apartments. A lady hanging clothes. I ran to the hostel and was happy to finally make it to my own bed. Safe. Now I could do anything.
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