solo female traveler Archives

Day 101: The Seder

10 Apr 2020 atwistonlife

My family did our Passover Seder via video chat the other night, as did many people around the world. It was a good substitute, but

Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present

2 Dec 2019 atwistonlife

It is Sunday evening of Thanksgiving weekend and I have a glass of eggnog heavily dosed with brandy beside me. My Christmas tree was bought

Day 19: Annecy

18 Aug 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 26 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

Today I traveled from Chamonix to Paris. This is my final destination. After today there are only two days left before I head home. This

Day 18: L’Aiguille du Midi

11 Aug 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 25 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

I went up to Aiguille du Midi. I joked that it was the pinnacle of this whole adventure, but there was truth behind the jest.

Day 17: Getting To Chamonix-Mont-Blanc By Train Is Not For The Weak

28 Jul 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 24 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

Getting from Lyon to Chamonix by train was no laughing matter, and today’s anxiety attacks proved it. My excitement about getting up into the Alps

Day 16: Wishing for Longer in Lyon

21 Jul 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 23 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

I am in Lyon and it is gorgeous. And I’m visiting my old friend, the Rhône, once again. She is just as blue here as

Day 15: Eeeezeeee Does It At Éze Village

7 Jul 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 22 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

Éze Village is about 1400 feet above sea level, and the bus ride was a crazy 15 minute journey up steep hills with intense switchbacks. Next to the road was a drop-off down a cliff and the bus driver took each turn at full speed.

Day 9: Touring Les Plus Beaux Villages de Dordogne

27 May 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 13 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

As a writer it’s difficult to admit that a location has me so in thrall that I’ve been rendered speechless. It runs rather counter to one’s desire to write about the location. But, alas, here we are.

Solo Travel: Crushing Loneliness

12 May 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 12 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

With solo travel comes a type of loneliness that is freeing, but crushing. The need for connection is biological. It’s how we’re wired. And we wind up lacking it.

Day 8: Dark Alleys and Fear in Sarlat-la-Canéda

10 May 2019 atwistonlife

This entry is part 11 of the series Twenty-two days by train in France

Imagine limestone walls, narrow passageways, gas lanterns casting a warm friendly glow and soft laughter coming from restaurants you know are around a corner but can’t see yet…

That’s Sarlat, and dammit if I’m not already in love with it.