I consider myself a semi seasoned traveler. I have traveled solo to Taiwan, Australia and parts of the USA. With family I have traveled to lesser known parts of the world... and yet this trip is a bit different.
I realized this is my first solo trip to a country where I do not know anyone. I have extended family in all the parts of the world I have traveled sans hubby and in the USA it has always been to a conference.. so easy peasy..
My hubby had said when I started to plan this that I should be in a group.. I wanted to go rogue and do AirBnBs... (next trip with hubby we will do that).. but I did listen and now I am realizing even with a group there are items to this trip that I have not had alone before.
1. I do not know the language. I am going specifically to practice and improve my limited Mandarin. But foreign country and big cities.. a bit nervous
2. After our Thailand trip almost 15 years ago, I am very conscious of the health issues.. for this trip I now have enough snacks to get me thru a week.. but only after I booked my mini China tour did I realize how many health/food risks there can be. I will be careful, but after having brought every "friend" home from Thailand.. I am very cautious.
3. I have never been on a group tour... I have visions of walkers and depends being loaded on the van... but also as a single female traveler.. I am hoping to just do my thing. But being herded will be an experience that I am prepping for...
4. One week away and because my only focus is to practice Mandarin, I have not read up on the historic and landmark sites we will see. The plan was to practice speaking where ever I went.. BUT.. others have said I really should check out the sites.. and they are right... I am a cultural lop so maybe just read the info on the sites sent by the agency.
5. NO: Google, Youtube, GMAIL, Instagram, Facebook... not having my easy to connect apps is a bit off putting. I do have an I cloud account and can use the Internet at the hotel to contact home. BUT letting my office know.. no emergency calls or emails.. I will be from a realistic point of view Off the Grid...
So, as I woke up in a cold sweat this morning going this time next week I am gone.. I am working on letting go of my need to know the full plan and see this as an adventure.
BECAUSE of the NO Google thing, I will be writing and saving to upload upon my arrival home.
再 见
