Never having lived on a farm, most of my experiences with food is what I buy. However, a small vegetable garden my parents’ tended to and my chore of picking ripe tomatoes and cucumbers off the vines gave me an early appreciation for fresh produce.

As a teenager I spent a week on a farm in Vermont. Virtually everything was home grown. Few things I’ve eaten since compare.

I have been invited to dinners where the fare was simple but the lettuce and other vegetables came a few feet from where I dined. Buying as I often do prepackaged, prewashed salad from a store tastes like a completely different entity. I concede to the ease and conveniently forget what I am missing.

In my travels I have seen men and women toiling in fields sometimes aided by oxen and horses or basic tools. It reminds me of the hard work growing food entails.

During my annual check up with my ophthamologist a short conversation on travel ensued. I mentioned, in some context, that I often travel alone. His immediate thought was how difficult that must be. Then went on to describe an incident, his sole experience traveling alone, where a man kept trying to pick him up and would barely take no for an answer. Thus he assumed that a woman alone would be constantly bombarded with male attention. I almost didn’t wish to disappoint him with the truth. (I also suspect that there are a few men and women who might accept such attention gladly.)

Perhaps a great deal has to do with one’s attitude, but I have rarely if ever been in an uncomfortable situation because of a man’s advances. Even while I was sharing the close quarters of an overnight train, I felt the rapport was quickly established as friendly, but nothing more. My challenges were limited to the day-to-day affairs. Where was I going? How would I get there? Where would I be staying? etc.

We all have our travel tales and he clearly had his but it did not resemble mine or others I know.

I primarily began this blog to offer some thoughts and advice on traveling alone. Perhaps I have inspired some readers along the way.

Some recent articles indicate that we are part of a growing trend. More than before people are opting to travel alone. Those people tend to be women. They are not necessarily single nor unattached, but they are, for various reasons, opting to go somewhere on their own. Information abounds. Opportunities to find a travel experience suitable to your budget and needs is getting easier. Businesses are taking notice and companies are catering more and more to the solo traveler; paying single supplements are becoming less prevalent.

If you have been thinking about it, but have not yet done so this may be the moment for you to seriously consider a venture of some kind solo. Whether you decide to join a group or venture out entirely on your own, the world is awaiting your arrival. And it begins just outside your door.

Like many New Yorkers, if I see a tourist looking confused or pouring over a map I ask if they need any assistance. Much less often do they come over to me.

I was in a non-touristy part of Brooklyn for an appointment yesterday. While locking up my bicycle a young man approached me with a backpack, holding a GoPro camera and phone in one hand. He asked if there was a hostel nearby. I did not know the area and suggested he find something using his phone. No wifi was his response. Where are you coming from? Korea. No, I mean today. Korea, I just arrived.

How he ended up on that corner I did not ask, but a subway station, just there, may have been the reason why. I didn’t wish to be late for my appointment but after all the kindness shown me in the past I also did not wish to leave him there. I asked him to come with me. He did not hesitate. Finding the office, for the first time, together we settled in. I briefly explained the situation to the receptionist. His appearance and gentle demeanor raised no concerns.

I used my phone to see what was near, but the choices were few and the reviews poor. I then found a hostel in Manhattan I knew quite well. He was pleased. I called. They just had a cancellation and could accommodate him, as he had hoped for three nights. With a confirmation number, address, and directions, he thanked me several times and was on his way.