Sanctuary

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Hello, and welcome to Clover

club, a podcast about curious

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conversations and stories and

tended to make you laugh and learn.

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I am your host, Erica.

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And today I've got a solo episode for

you and that's appropriate because

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today's episode is all about solo travel.

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So I've referenced in previous

episodes that I'm no stranger to

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solo travel and I really enjoy,

um, I really enjoy traveling alone.

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I genuinely like it, and

there's a lot of trips that I.

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It's not because nobody will go with me

it's because I didn't invite anybody.

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Like I intentionally love

traveling alone and I know that

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it's not for everybody, but.

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I do kind of get a regular, uh, line

of questioning from people like, oh my

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gosh, I would love to do that, but it

seems really intimidating to plan it.

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You know, don't you get

nervous, don't you get scared.

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Is it safe?

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Do you feel embarrassed

having dinner alone?

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And so I just got back from a little solo

trip and I thought, let me use this as a

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podcast episode and we can, just kind of.

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Together, walk through the process

of planning and executing this trip.

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And of course things went awry

and there's some crazy stories

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that came from it because there's

never a boring solo vacation.

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, but yeah, today we're going

to talk about solo travel.

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So because of my work schedule, I'm very

rarely able to take a spontaneous trip.

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However, , this February, I just

like the weather and just life

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was getting to me and I just had

the blues and I was like, I need.

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Warmth.

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I needed sun on my skin and I just like,

I just need to get away for a second.

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And so I had a day in my

schedule that kind of fell

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apart, which very rarely happens.

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No one on my waitlist could come in.

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And so I was like, okay, this is a sign.

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I'm going to book a trip.

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In my earlier episode, traveling

with Brian, the clown, I referenced

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that the first step to planning

any trip is prioritizing what

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your biggest parameters are.

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So whether it's, you're on a strict

budget or I only have X number of

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days, or there's a specific event or

a combination of all of those things.

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So for me, My strictest parameter was

I can take a Sunday through Wednesday.

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So I knew that I wanted to stay

in the same time zone or within

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an hour of the same time zone.

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Um, uh, budget wise, I was not

super flushed cause I just had

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to buy a new washer and dryer.

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, so I was like, okay, I want something

that I can like throw some points at.

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And so from there I got on Delta

vacations, which I've used many

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times in the past and really enjoy.

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, and I was like, I'm going

to do an all inclusive now.

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I've been to one all inclusive in my life.

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It was 10 years ago with

one of my guy, best friends.

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It was.

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Peasant mode, like we found

this like travels, do you deal?

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That was like $800 for five

nights at a Riviera Maya

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all-inclusive including airfare.

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And it was super fun.

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We had a great time, I have no regrets.

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, but that was my only, that was my

only experience with an all-inclusive.

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So I was like, let me try

like a different type.

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, and so I also, you know, I'm always trying

to add a new country to the list, so.

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As zeroed in on the Dominican

Republic because it's a three and

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a half hour flight from Atlanta.

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, and it just seemed like

it would be really easy.

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So I was at work one day.

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And I had the Delta vacations tab

pulled up and I had narrowed it down

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to a couple of resorts and my client

got there and I'm chatting with her and

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her and her wife had just gotten back

from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

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And I was like, oh my God, I actively

have this pulled up on my computer.

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, where did you go?

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Did you like it?

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Tell me everything.

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And they had a great time

she's raving about this resort.

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And, , she showed me pictures of

the lobby and how beautiful it is.

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And she's like, you get there, they

give you this coconut welcome drink.

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That's just the most amazing

thing I've ever had in my life.

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It's so magical.

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And just bookmark that coconut drink.

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Cause I was craving it and super

excited for this coconut drink.

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and it turns out the resort they

had gone to was one of the top

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ones that I was considering.

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And it's a Marriott property

and it's adults only.

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And that was really, really

important to me because y'all

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know I don't fuck with kids.

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, so after she left, I booked my trip.

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And it was like, uh, not

even two weeks in advance.

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So for me, that's like how spontaneous.

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So I know myself.

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I don't like dealing with

other people's bullshit.

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Which has probably sent this way

to people since like any episodes.

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, But I knew like, okay, I want to

maximize this short amount of time.

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So my flight got in around noon

and my departing flight , was

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leaving around like five 30.

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And so I called the hotel

and I was like, Hey.

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, if possible, I'd like to request

early check-in and late check-out

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and they were very helpful on the

phone, told me it was no problem.

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And that was that.

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So, , the day before the trip comes

around, I'm packing for the trip.

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And that's one thing we'll start with

is when you're packing for a solo trip.

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There are certain things you're

going to want to keep in mind

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that don't necessarily apply.

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If you're traveling with people.

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So when you're traveling alone,

obviously there's nobody there

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to help you with your bags.

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So I like to travel really

lean, You know, not, not like.

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Uh, backpack only or anything weird, but

like I'm very mindful of not overpacking

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because I know that there's nobody to

be like, Hey, can you watch my bag?

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So I can go to the bathroom?

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Hey, you know, whatever, like, you

don't have help you're on your own.

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So just be mindful.

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So knowing it was a short trip, I

was like, I don't want to check a

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bag cause I don't want to deal with

any bullshit of, uh, waiting on my

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luggage, potential luggage being lost.

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And, , So I'm like, all right,

I'm not bringing sunscreen.

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I'm going to pay for expensive sunscreen

at the airport when I get there.

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And I'm going to be prepared

to just, , do carry on only.

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So I bought a very small carry-on

sized suitcase and a backpack.

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, and then the next morning came

and my flight was super early.

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It was like , eight ish am.

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And I knew that Hartsfield had just

opened up the new century and lounge.

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I'm like, all right.

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Let me get there early.

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I want to hang out in

this lounge, check it out.

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So me and my little suitcase and backpack,

we head to the airport and I was in

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the car and it's still dark out and

we're driving down the highway and the

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moon had been full the night before.

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And so it was just

like, Gorgeous big moon.

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And I just got this like inspiration

of like, you should make a

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podcast episode out of this.

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So that's what kind of

stemmed all of this.

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, and I also had a thought and I'm curious,

this is a total sidebar, but when you

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refer to an exit off of the highway,

do you use the number or the name?

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Because what I realized is I have lived

off of the same exit for 16 years,

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and I don't know what the number is.

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Like.

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I only ever just reference

it by the name of it.

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And I was like, huh, I wonder

if that's like a right brain

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left brain type of thing.

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I wonder what percentage of people

use the number versus the name?

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So I may do a little poll on our

Instagram, please let me know.

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Cause I'm curious if that's weird

or not that I don't know the number.

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Um, anyways.

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I get to the airport.

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It's early as fuck.

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So there's like no one there.

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Security is smooth and I go straight

to the new century and lounge and, I

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walk in and it is absolutely beautiful.

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I've been seeing people's pictures

online, but it's always nice

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to get in there for yourself.

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. So the lounge was great.

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I crack open a new book called

the measure and just relax.

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And I watched the sunrise up over the

terminal and I was like, all right,

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this is going to be a lovely trip.

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, So I boarded my flight and as I scan

my, boarding pass, I get an upgrade,

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which doesn't happen a ton because

I'm not diamond or even platinum.

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, so it's, it's been a while since I've

got an upgrade and I also got rid of

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my Delta Amex, , Uh, it's probably

been two or three years ago now.

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So I only play the platinum Amex

game I'm done with the Delta loyalty.

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So I know people are like up in arms

with the changes that they made to

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their program, but I've been off that

bus for a while and I think y'all

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should join me in platinum club.

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Cause it's so much better because you get

so like the points are great and the perks

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of that card totally pay for themselves.

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If you travel and use it properly,

, But anyways, it was like an

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absolute treat to be like, oh, yay.

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And upgrade.

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So I sit down and I'm like upgraded

seats and immediately the lady next

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to me, oh, is wearing so much perfume

that I feel like I can't breathe.

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, so just PSA, like do not doubt yourself.

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And a fragrance before you're about to

sit in a tin can and the sky, , It's

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just really, really, really crazy.

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Like my throat was closing up.

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Okay.

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So the flight is super easy.

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I, you know, sleep for most of it.

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Cause I ate an edible.

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And I wake up, we land and, , off

I go, so I had also requested.

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, a private transfer from

the airport to the resort.

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Because I didn't want to

wait around for strangers.

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Cause again, like this was a really short

timeframe and I just knew like that shit

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pisses me off and I'm willing to spend an

extra 50 bucks or whatever to just like.

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Not deal with it.

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And so I, I tried to do that.

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, but I checked in and they walked

me up to this like archaic old,

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suburban with like chipped paint

and no Springs left in the seat.

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And the guy gets me all set up and

closes me in there and then peaks

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his head into the driver's door.

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And he's like, all right, we're

just waiting for, , Another couple

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and then we'll be on our way.

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And I was like, oh.

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And I was like, I thought I

had like my own situation here.

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And he was like, no, we

need to bring one more.

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And I was like, Okay.

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And so I'm sitting there

for like 30 minutes in this

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shitty old car, like sweating.

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Cause it's not cold there.

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, and so I'm getting annoyed because

, I, as much as I travel, I don't

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like the travel part of traveling.

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I like being at my destination,

but being in an airport and just

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schlepping, like, I don't like that shit.

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I want to get where I'm going.

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, so I was like a little annoyed.

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, and then like 30 minutes later,

this couple comes and they get in.

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They're like, oh, are you

going to Margaritaville too?

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And I was just like, no, like.

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No, I'm not going to Margaritaville.

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I'm so sorry.

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And then they like spend this.

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It's not a long car ride.

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I mean, I think my resort, we're

like 15 minutes in the airport.

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Um, but this lady is either coughing up

along behind me, or they're bickering

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about something that happened earlier

in their day, but they were being vague.

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So I was just like, what

are they arguing about?

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Like, if you're going to fight in front

of a stranger, at least spill some tea.

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You're never going to see me again.

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, so they were just obnoxious.

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Yeah.

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The driver was blasting her horrible

music and it was just annoying, but.

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We pull up to my resort.

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And it truly, I mean, this is a beautiful

property, so it was like, all right.

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This is, this is good.

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We can work with this.

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I go to the check-in desk and, , you know,

like, Hey, my name's Erica checking-in.

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And they're like, okay, great.

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Check-ins not until three.

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And it is probably.

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It was probably around one.

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A little after one when I got there.

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And I was like, oh, I actually called

earlier and requested an early check-in.

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And they were like, we don't

have any record of that.

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And I was like, oh, okay.

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, so there's not a single

room available right now.

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And she was like, no.

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And I was like, okay.

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And she was like, here's the

wifi, , feel free to hang out.

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You can go grab lunch.

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, and then come back at three.

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And I was like, all right.

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, and they checked my bag.

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And so this is what's annoying.

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I just have my backpack, but it's

like, I travel with a vape pen.

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I'm like.

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I want to hit the pendulum in

and I want to go have lunch.

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And I can't, because you've got all my

goodies in your little baggage claim.

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, so whatever I go have lunch, it's good.

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Everybody's very friendly.

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, There's a very entertaining sugar,

daddy, sugar baby situation happening

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that I'm immediately amused by.

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So at three o'clock I go back and

I'm like, Hey, like here again.

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Uh, trying to check in and

they're like, oh, it's probably

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going to be another hour.

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And I was like, wait, okay.

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There's a difference between not having

a note that I want an early check-in.

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And then having me checked in like

an hour after general check-in.

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, uh, and so I'm like, oh my God.

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Okay.

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And so I just . Set up my

computer and just start working.

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, and that's okay.

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I mean, I brought my

computer I'm on purpose.

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I it's not like I had nothing to do, but.

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As you've picked up, I'm a planner.

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And that was just not part of

my plan and it was annoying.

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I'm sitting there on my computer and I'm S

I see these people get this coconut drink.

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And I was like, wait, the

fucking coconut drink.

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I was never offered a coconut drink.

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Like, where is my welcome coconut drink?

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And it's like, there's a coconut drink

person that just like, , Exits some

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dark room and then that just disappears.

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And so there's like, I could,

didn't want to ask anybody.

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And quite frankly, I didn't want

to have to be like, hi, excuse me.

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Um, could I please have the coconut drink?

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Like everybody else gets like, I

don't want to fucking have to ask,

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like, that's your thing either.

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You give everybody a cook and a drink

or you give nobody a coconut drink.

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, you know we talked a couple of episodes

ago about equality versus equity.

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Like I want fucking equality

at my resort situation.

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Thank you.

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, I was so mad and, uh, I know that sounds

annoying, but it just is what it is.

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, so finally at four o'clock, my

room is ready and they put me

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on a little golf cart and take

me to this section of the hotel.

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I check into my room and I will

say it was absolutely beautiful.

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It was huge.

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I go out to my balcony, great ocean view.

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, and there's a bathtub on the balcony

and I'm like, fuck, I have accidentally

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booked these sexiest solo vacation.

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Ever.

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This is so great.

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, but that turned my mood

upside down, , in a good way.

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And put on my swimsuit.

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I went out to one of the pools and.

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I had swam and read a book and then I

like listened to some music and this

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little cabana thing they had, like,

what I liked about this hotel was there.

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Like five different pools.

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So there's like a party

pool and a quiet pool.

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And kind of each pool had its own

vibe, but all of them had not just

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lounge chairs, but lots of , just really

cool, fun, little seating, vignettes.

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, and I'm a sucker for, I'm

a sucker for a hammock.

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I'm a sucker for a swing.

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I'm a sucker for.

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Really anything that looks fun to relax.

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And so I found this cute little thing

and I was just like vibing and having

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a good time and, and people watching.

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So, you know, When people ask,

what do you do on a solo trip?

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Like, whatever the fuck you want.

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You know, I want her to read my

book with my little toes in the

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water and just kind of chill.

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And so that's exactly what I did.

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And I did it up until the point

that I was sick of doing it.

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And then I stopped.

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At that point, the sun was starting

to set the water was getting Chile.

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And so I went back to my room and took

a shower and got dressed for dinner.

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: 00:14:53

So this resort has, I think

it's five different restaurants.

309

: 00:14:57

, don't quote me on that, but it has

a handful of restaurants and all

310

: 00:15:00

of the restaurants, except for one

were included in the all-inclusive.

311

: 00:15:04

And, , that also included room

service, which I really like.

312

: 00:15:08

, so I decided to go to the steak

house and , I sit down and now

313

: 00:15:11

here is a con of traveling solo.

314

: 00:15:15

Sometimes you'll go to restaurants

that have really delicious dishes.

315

: 00:15:18

, that are for two people or more so, I

had lunch at their seafood restaurant.

316

: 00:15:22

And they had a Paya, which my client

had mentioned to me being very good,

317

: 00:15:26

but it was for two people and I was

just like, oh, This is annoying.

318

: 00:15:29

, but that's all right.

319

: 00:15:30

And same thing with the stick house.

320

: 00:15:31

I don't even remember what it was,

but there was something where I

321

: 00:15:33

was like, Ooh, this just looks just

like smorgasbord of delicious shit.

322

: 00:15:36

, but for two people, so anyways, I

ordered dinner and the staff was amazing.

323

: 00:15:42

I mean, super, super friendly,

very nice and attentive.

324

: 00:15:45

a handful of them took, uh, A real

liking to me if you know what I mean,

325

: 00:15:50

and I let them, , I let them charm me.

326

: 00:15:52

It was a delightful, , but I ordered

this Cesar salad to start with,

327

: 00:15:56

and it was a half of a head of

romaine grilled with really good.

328

: 00:16:00

You know, Caesar dressing and

juvies shaped harms drunk.

329

: 00:16:03

Like it was, oh, one of the best

Caesar salads I've ever had.

330

: 00:16:06

, And then the rest of the

meal was great to you.

331

: 00:16:08

Another thing to be mindful of when you're

traveling alone, especially as a woman

332

: 00:16:11

is I never have more than a drink or

two because I can't ever get too fucked

333

: 00:16:16

up if I'm the only person who knows.

334

: 00:16:19

If I got back to my

hotel room safely or not.

335

: 00:16:21

, or to my Airbnb or to whatever.

336

: 00:16:23

, so I'm always pretty mellow with a knee

abbreviation when I'm traveling alone.

337

: 00:16:26

However, I'm in Fort Knox, this

sanctuary, and I'm like, you know what?

338

: 00:16:31

, I feel safe, like having some drinks here.

339

: 00:16:33

So I have like, Three glasses of wine.

340

: 00:16:35

And then, , with dessert, they

were like, oh, do you want

341

: 00:16:38

to try this special liqour?

342

: 00:16:40

And I was like, yeah, I do.

343

: 00:16:42

Um, and he was like just a

little splash and I was like,

344

: 00:16:45

I don't have to drive anywhere.

345

: 00:16:46

Like give me a big splash.

346

: 00:16:47

, so I ended up doing two, like pretty

solid sized pores of this really

347

: 00:16:52

delicious local, , liquorice.

348

: 00:16:54

I don't remember what it was called.

349

: 00:16:55

It doesn't matter.

350

: 00:16:56

It was good.

351

: 00:16:56

, so.

352

: 00:16:57

First day, total success.

353

: 00:16:59

All things considered.

354

: 00:17:00

I'm checked in.

355

: 00:17:01

I've got my safe space in my little room.

356

: 00:17:04

I've had a good meal.

357

: 00:17:05

, I go back and I go to sleep

and get a good night's rest.

358

: 00:17:10

So I wake up the next morning to

the sun rising over the ocean and

359

: 00:17:15

it's just absolutely beautiful.

360

: 00:17:17

And, , you know, I've got two big dogs

and so I never get to sleep at night.

361

: 00:17:21

Like at home, I'm on a schedule with

them and it's little stuff like that.

362

: 00:17:25

It was just so nice.

363

: 00:17:26

And I'm sure parents are like, oh,

you didn't have to walk your dog.

364

: 00:17:28

So.

365

: 00:17:28

Must be nice.

366

: 00:17:29

, but that's my choice, but it's nice to

, not be on anyone's timeline, but your own.

367

: 00:17:34

, so I know alarm was sad.

368

: 00:17:36

I just woke up with a son.

369

: 00:17:38

And then I decided to walk down

to their main kind of food area,

370

: 00:17:41

which was like the main like buffet.

371

: 00:17:44

And so I get a seat and I kind of do

a lap and see what we're working with.

372

: 00:17:49

, and I go up and I'm getting some food

and I'm standing at, they have like this

373

: 00:17:54

like salad kind of fruit deli bar area.

374

: 00:17:57

And the way it works is it's got

kind of like a, um, What do you call

375

: 00:18:01

that like a, like a divider, like a

partition between you and that stuff.

376

: 00:18:05

And so you basically hand your

plate through this window and

377

: 00:18:07

you tell them like, oh, I'd like

some of this and some of that.

378

: 00:18:10

And then they put it on their

plate and give it back to you.

379

: 00:18:12

So they had a ton of fresh passion

fruit, and I fucking love passion fruit.

380

: 00:18:16

And I was like, yes.

381

: 00:18:17

So I go up to the lady I'm like Hola.

382

: 00:18:19

, can I have some passionfruit please?

383

: 00:18:21

And so she's putting it on my plate.

384

: 00:18:23

And then over my shoulder,

I hear what is it?

385

: 00:18:26

I'm like the fuck.

386

: 00:18:27

So I turn around and there's this

wrinkled old leather woman in a visor.

387

: 00:18:32

And she's like way too fucking close for

my comfort way too early in the morning.

388

: 00:18:36

And I was like, it's passionfruit.

389

: 00:18:38

And she goes, Ugh.

390

: 00:18:39

And walks away and I

was like, what the fuck?

391

: 00:18:42

And so.

392

: 00:18:44

It's just like.

393

: 00:18:45

Okay.

394

: 00:18:46

, and she was sitting like, There

was this arch in the dining area

395

: 00:18:50

and she was sitting on the other

side of it, but you could like

396

: 00:18:52

look through and see each other.

397

: 00:18:53

And , I kept getting this feeling and

I would look up every time I fucking

398

: 00:18:56

looked up this lady staring at me.

399

: 00:18:58

I don't know if it's because I was alone.

400

: 00:19:00

I don't know if it's

because I have tattoos.

401

: 00:19:03

I don't know what the fucking deal

is, but this lady was such a crab

402

: 00:19:06

and she was eating a salad for

breakfast at like 9:00 AM on vacation.

403

: 00:19:11

I literally texted my girls group

chat and let's just like, Bro.

404

: 00:19:15

If y'all ever catch me eating a salad

for breakfast on vacation, please

405

: 00:19:19

just put me out of my fucking misery.

406

: 00:19:20

Like what.

407

: 00:19:22

So I have breakfast.

408

: 00:19:23

It's fine.

409

: 00:19:24

It's better than fine.

410

: 00:19:25

Good meal.

411

: 00:19:26

, and then I, , Stake my claim at a

lounge chair by the, quiet pool.

412

: 00:19:32

I, , get all set up and I'm chilling

and again, this is supposed to be the

413

: 00:19:37

quiet pool and I'm like reading my book.

414

: 00:19:39

There's a guy who should be bringing

me up pina colada at any moment.

415

: 00:19:43

And I hear this loud talking and I

look over and there's this guy pacing

416

: 00:19:48

around the perimeter of the pool

on a cellphone, working on a deal.

417

: 00:19:52

And he's so fucking loud.

418

: 00:19:54

And I think maybe people don't

realize that sound travels on

419

: 00:19:59

water and it was just obnoxious.

420

: 00:20:02

Like, bro, like, I don't care

if you close this deal or not.

421

: 00:20:04

I'm trying to chill here.

422

: 00:20:05

, so that was annoying.

423

: 00:20:06

And really like, this is the thing

when you travel with somebody.

424

: 00:20:10

You're kind of like in this

little world with them.

425

: 00:20:13

And , there's so many

things you don't notice.

426

: 00:20:15

When I travel alone, I'm in a

little world with myself, which

427

: 00:20:18

is my favorite little world.

428

: 00:20:19

, but also there's so much more time

to just be silent and observe.

429

: 00:20:24

And people watching when I'm out of town

is just one of my favorite things ever.

430

: 00:20:28

And throughout the duration of this

trip, I certainly confirmed that I'm

431

: 00:20:31

not a resort person, which I suspected

going into this, but figured, you know,

432

: 00:20:37

I'll try anything twice, as I say, , but

it's just, it's just super fascinating

433

: 00:20:41

kind of paying attention to people.

434

: 00:20:43

, And so many couples.

435

: 00:20:45

Arguing and bickering and just

like being mean to each other.

436

: 00:20:49

, and so I w I think back to the times where

people are like, You know, aren't you

437

: 00:20:53

embarrassed having a meal alone and it's

like, no, I'd be far more embarrassed to

438

: 00:20:56

be having a meal with this dusty bitch

who can't even, you know, I don't like.

439

: 00:21:02

'cause people being so mean to

their husbands and wives, and

440

: 00:21:05

it's like, I would much rather be.

441

: 00:21:06

, like happy, calm, relaxed, human

being, reading a book, or just

442

: 00:21:11

hanging out and enjoying a meal,

then tents and riled up and just

443

: 00:21:15

hanging out with somebody who sucks.

444

: 00:21:17

Like that's way worse to me.

445

: 00:21:19

And also no one cares about you.

446

: 00:21:21

Like nobody everyone's

concerned about themselves.

447

: 00:21:23

, people don't care like, oh my God, there's

a, there's a single person eating lunch.

448

: 00:21:28

Like nobody gives a shit.

449

: 00:21:29

, so I think a lot of that's like in

your head and if that's something that

450

: 00:21:32

makes you uncomfortable, the thought.

451

: 00:21:33

Like having a meal alone or going

to a movie alone or a museum

452

: 00:21:37

alone or whatever, just do it.

453

: 00:21:38

It's like, that's weird.

454

: 00:21:40

It shouldn't.

455

: 00:21:41

Like it's okay.

456

: 00:21:42

If you, you should enjoy your own

company because if you don't, how do

457

: 00:21:46

you expect somebody else to write?

458

: 00:21:48

Okay.

459

: 00:21:48

So one thing I like to do when I

travel is go to a spa and this resort,

460

: 00:21:53

of course, how does POS, so I in

advanced book, a massage for this day,

461

: 00:21:57

So it was, I think at two o'clock.

462

: 00:21:59

And they have this whole hydrotherapy

circuit that you do before you get there.

463

: 00:22:03

So I got to the spot, like an hour before

my appointment and I, , ate an edible.

464

: 00:22:09

Very important detail of

getting a massage on vacation.

465

: 00:22:12

, so I get there and they're

getting me all checked into my

466

: 00:22:17

little robe and stuff like that.

467

: 00:22:18

And so they have you wear a swimsuit

and then put your robe over it.

468

: 00:22:22

And the way the hydrotherapy

works is it's like a hot, cold,

469

: 00:22:25

hot, cold, hot, cold situation.

470

: 00:22:27

So.

471

: 00:22:28

You start in a sauna 10 minutes.

472

: 00:22:30

You do a cold plunge one minute.

473

: 00:22:32

Then you go to a steam room.

474

: 00:22:34

Five minutes.

475

: 00:22:35

Then you go to this shower,

which she gestured to too.

476

: 00:22:39

But I didn't see behind the shower door.

477

: 00:22:40

She's like, then you'll do this, this cold

shower and then you get into a hot tub

478

: 00:22:45

and then you go outside to this pool and

479

: 00:22:47

then you hang out there

for as long as you want.

480

: 00:22:49

Until your therapist comes to get you.

481

: 00:22:51

So I get into the sauna and,

she brought him something on the

482

: 00:22:56

wall, like, that's your timer?

483

: 00:22:58

And I was like, okay.

484

: 00:22:59

And so I'm in there for like a

while and I'm fucking sweating

485

: 00:23:02

my edible starting to kick in.

486

: 00:23:04

And I realized that what I thought

was , the timer was just a thermometer

487

: 00:23:09

and the timer was this hour glass

thing that I was supposed to flip

488

: 00:23:13

upside down when I got in there.

489

: 00:23:14

So I have no clue how long it's been

at this point, but I know it's working.

490

: 00:23:19

So I'm like, well,

491

: 00:23:21

I'm not on any sort of time crunch.

492

: 00:23:22

So I flipped the little timer thing and

I gave myself another five minutes.

493

: 00:23:25

, so I'm nice and fucking toasty from that.

494

: 00:23:28

I step out and I go into the cold

plunge and I know this is like super

495

: 00:23:32

trendy and there's this Wim Hoff stuff.

496

: 00:23:35

And people are talking

about how great it is.

497

: 00:23:36

, I've done it before.

498

: 00:23:38

I fucking hate a cold plunge.

499

: 00:23:40

I hate it.

500

: 00:23:43

And so I forced myself to do it.

501

: 00:23:44

And then I had PTSD from the first

time I ever did a cold plunge,

502

: 00:23:48

which was when my best friend

and I went to the Grove park Inn.

503

: 00:23:50

, first spa day and Asheville.

504

: 00:23:52

And they have this cold plunge and it's

like, enough space for one person to kind

505

: 00:23:56

of dip in and dip out type of situation.

506

: 00:23:59

And I was being a total pussy and

my best friend blocked me from

507

: 00:24:02

exiting until I got all the way in.

508

: 00:24:04

And it was terrible.

509

: 00:24:06

Um, and so I had this like moment

of like picturing my best friend.

510

: 00:24:10

They're not letting me out.

511

: 00:24:11

So I do the cold plunge and

then I go to the steam room.

512

: 00:24:15

I sit in there for, there was no timer,

so I don't know, five ish minutes.

513

: 00:24:19

And then I see.

514

: 00:24:21

What she was referencing to you with

the cold shower that comes next.

515

: 00:24:24

So it's like,

516

: 00:24:28

It's like a regular looking shower stall,

but there's a wooden bucket with a rope.

517

: 00:24:34

And you pull the rope, like you're on

family, double dare, and you get flooded

518

: 00:24:40

with freezing cold water, like top down.

519

: 00:24:42

And I was like, oh man, like,

I don't want to do this.

520

: 00:24:46

, but also , I'm a rule follower.

521

: 00:24:48

I'm a Virgo.

522

: 00:24:49

So I'm like, I have to do it.

523

: 00:24:50

This is part of the circuit.

524

: 00:24:51

I cannot skip a step.

525

: 00:24:52

So I'm standing on there.

526

: 00:24:53

And again, I can't reiterate enough.

527

: 00:24:55

My edible has kicked in, so

I'm just like, whoa, whoa.

528

: 00:24:59

Like pull the rope.

529

: 00:25:02

I can't pull the rope, pull the

rope, I can't pull the rope.

530

: 00:25:05

And then I just count to three

and fucking boom, pull the rope.

531

: 00:25:08

And I'm like, oh, I mean, I like

the whole spa must have heard me.

532

: 00:25:12

It was full gold.

533

: 00:25:14

Oh my God.

534

: 00:25:15

It fucking hated it.

535

: 00:25:16

And so then I immediately was like,

uh, like raced to get into the hot tub.

536

: 00:25:21

, Oh, what a, what a saga.

537

: 00:25:22

, so I do the hot tub for a little while.

538

: 00:25:24

Then I go outside to the pool and there's

this couple out there from New York.

539

: 00:25:27

Who are being so fucking loud and

annoying, and they're not talking

540

: 00:25:33

about anything fucking interesting.

541

: 00:25:34

This is the thing.

542

: 00:25:35

If you're going to be loud and

annoying and public and inflict your

543

: 00:25:37

conversation on other people make it good.

544

: 00:25:40

Like it was so benign, but just loud and

obnoxious enough that I could not relax.

545

: 00:25:46

And again, sound travels

differently on water.

546

: 00:25:50

And so it's like they were inside

of my ears and I just, like,

547

: 00:25:52

there was not a lounge chair

that could get me away from them.

548

: 00:25:55

Based on the way this was like laid

out, , And so, I don't know, like maybe

549

: 00:26:01

I take for granted that I've had lots of

nice box periods and I just like, know

550

: 00:26:05

how to be polite, but when you're in a

facility that has a fucking placard that

551

: 00:26:10

says quiet, please, to me, that indicates

that you're supposed to be quiet.

552

: 00:26:15

I don't know.

553

: 00:26:16

I don't know.

554

: 00:26:16

Maybe I'm just being particular.

555

: 00:26:18

So my massage therapist comes

and she takes me back for my 80

556

: 00:26:21

minute hot stone massage, which

on an edible is fucking great.

557

: 00:26:26

So I get my massage and then

she's like, okay, I'll let you

558

: 00:26:28

like put your stuff back on.

559

: 00:26:30

And I'll meet you out here.

560

: 00:26:31

So, this is where their little plan fails.

561

: 00:26:34

My swimsuit is raising cold at this point.

562

: 00:26:37

It's ice cold.

563

: 00:26:38

And so I'm like all warm and relaxed and

I'm going to put on this like ice bikini

564

: 00:26:43

and I'm just like, no, like I, the sucks.

565

: 00:26:46

But my robe, the like lining

of my rope was also wet.

566

: 00:26:49

So even if I had just put my robe on.

567

: 00:26:52

I couldn't do that.

568

: 00:26:53

So I, oh, it was like a fucking

challenge to get my swim suit back on.

569

: 00:26:57

I know this is first of all

problems, but nevertheless, it was,

570

: 00:27:01

you know, that's just like a very

abrupt sensation after you have

571

: 00:27:05

been so thoroughly relaxed, right?

572

: 00:27:08

So anyways, , I bite the bullet.

573

: 00:27:09

I put on my subsea, put on my

little robe, meet her out there.

574

: 00:27:12

, and then I, Go back to the locker room.

575

: 00:27:16

To change.

576

: 00:27:17

And, uh, I was like so

cold because my swim suit.

577

: 00:27:20

So I got in the shower, naked.

578

: 00:27:22

With hot water I'm in

there doing my thing.

579

: 00:27:24

And, then a fucking man doing

laundry just comes through the women's

580

: 00:27:30

locker room and I'm like, Fuck like.

581

: 00:27:34

I wasn't planning on

giving a free show today.

582

: 00:27:37

, so another, just kind of strange, like

little thing with my spot experience,

583

: 00:27:41

but, uh, Whatever it was fine.

584

: 00:27:44

So at this point, it's starting to be like

dinner time or like, you know, the day is

585

: 00:27:47

starting to wrap up and turn to evening.

586

: 00:27:50

And so I go back to my room and I, , redo

my hair and I get dressed for dinner.

587

: 00:27:55

And I really wanted

that Caesar salad again.

588

: 00:27:58

So I was like, you know what, I'm

going to go to the steak house.

589

: 00:28:00

That was a great meal.

590

: 00:28:01

The staff there was awesome.

591

: 00:28:03

, so, , I'm going to do it again.

592

: 00:28:04

So I go to the steak house and

they're like, Erica, and I'm

593

: 00:28:09

like, oh, nice, like, nice touch.

594

: 00:28:11

Thanks for remembering my name.

595

: 00:28:12

And they get me a seat and

I ordered a gin and tonic.

596

: 00:28:16

, And I ordered literally like the

same meal, almost exactly from the

597

: 00:28:20

night before my Caesar salad comes.

598

: 00:28:23

And it's just a Caesar salad.

599

: 00:28:25

It was not a grilled.

600

: 00:28:27

Head of romaine.

601

: 00:28:28

There was no, you know, it was just

a Caesar salad and I love a Caesar

602

: 00:28:32

salad, so it's not like it was

even bad, but I was like, oh, like,

603

: 00:28:36

consistency is so important to me.

604

: 00:28:37

And this goes back to the coconut drinker.

605

: 00:28:39

No coconut drink.

606

: 00:28:40

It's like.

607

: 00:28:41

People expect.

608

: 00:28:44

That type of stuff to be consistent

at a luxury Marriott property.

609

: 00:28:49

, so that was annoying, but

my server was so awesome.

610

: 00:28:52

And all of these different guys were

coming up and like checking in on me.

611

: 00:28:55

I mean, I had a fan club and I was not

mad at it, , at all, but one of the guys

612

: 00:29:00

was like, what type of gin do you like?

613

: 00:29:02

And I was like, I.

614

: 00:29:03

I know that you don't have

my favorite type of gin.

615

: 00:29:05

And he was like, well, we've

got this and this and this.

616

: 00:29:07

And I was like, what's your favorite?

617

: 00:29:08

And I was like, just bring me another,

he just kept bringing me gin and tonics.

618

: 00:29:12

He's like, this is this gin.

619

: 00:29:13

This is this gin.

620

: 00:29:14

This is just gin.

621

: 00:29:15

And again, I don't normally

drink that much when I travel.

622

: 00:29:18

However, since I knew, I just had

to kind of stumble to my, my room.

623

: 00:29:23

I was like, fuck it.

624

: 00:29:24

So I drank a ton of gin and tonics and

then same thing with that good luck Corps.

625

: 00:29:28

They were like, You want this?

626

: 00:29:30

And I was like, use.

627

: 00:29:32

So I get fucking lit.

628

: 00:29:35

Uh, and then one of the guys is like,

Where are you having dinner tomorrow?

629

: 00:29:39

And I was like, I don't know.

630

: 00:29:40

I haven't gotten to tomorrow yet.

631

: 00:29:41

I'm not sure.

632

: 00:29:42

And he's like, I'm working

at the restaurant.

633

: 00:29:44

Like, come see me there.

634

: 00:29:45

And I was like, I'll think about it.

635

: 00:29:47

, and then I go home.

636

: 00:29:48

So I get back to my room and I

decided, oh, I didn't mention this.

637

: 00:29:53

When I checked in for my spot

appointment, the lady asked me, , do

638

: 00:29:57

you have any discount codes?

639

: 00:29:58

And I was like, no.

640

: 00:30:00

And I was like, I saw one on your

website that I tried to use when

641

: 00:30:02

I booked, but it didn't work.

642

: 00:30:03

And she was like, okay, let me see

if there's any we can offer you.

643

: 00:30:06

And she was like, oh,

you use Delta vacations.

644

: 00:30:09

You actually get 25% off.

645

: 00:30:10

And I was like, oh, word, like 25%

off of 200 bucks is not nothing.

646

: 00:30:15

So I decided I would book

another massage for the next day.

647

: 00:30:18

, and so I did.

648

: 00:30:21

So the next day comes, I go down

to breakfast at the same spot.

649

: 00:30:24

And this time I decide to try the

omelet bar and the way the omelet

650

: 00:30:29

bar works is you go up to the guide.

651

: 00:30:31

You say, hi.

652

: 00:30:32

I would like an omelet, please put in

onions, ham mushrooms, and she is, or

653

: 00:30:37

whatever the fuck you want in your omelet.

654

: 00:30:38

And then he makes you the omelet

and then he hands it to you.

655

: 00:30:41

And then you say, thank you.

656

: 00:30:43

, so I'm standing there.

657

: 00:30:44

I'm waiting on him to make my omelet.

658

: 00:30:46

I've watched this process happen.

659

: 00:30:48

So it's very easy to put together

the context clues and figure out

660

: 00:30:52

how to acquire these almonds.

661

: 00:30:53

Okay.

662

: 00:30:54

So my visor friend comes back.

663

: 00:30:57

And she's like, how does it work?

664

: 00:30:59

And I'm like, good morning.

665

: 00:31:01

, and I'm like, you just tell

them what type of omelet you

666

: 00:31:03

want and they make it for you.

667

: 00:31:04

And she was like, okay.

668

: 00:31:06

And so she goes up to the little window

and she was like egg white omelet, green

669

: 00:31:11

peppers, onions, very, very little cheese.

670

: 00:31:16

And I'm thinking ma'am.

671

: 00:31:17

Being louder does not

impact a language barrier.

672

: 00:31:21

Like . He can hear you.

673

: 00:31:23

He's not deaf.

674

: 00:31:24

And he speaks English.

675

: 00:31:25

Like what the fuck?

676

: 00:31:26

So.

677

: 00:31:28

, he gets a bowl and he cracks

an egg into it with the yolk.

678

: 00:31:32

And then he cracks in

another egg with the yolk.

679

: 00:31:35

And she was like, no, no.

680

: 00:31:38

I mean, you would think somebody was

trying to steal her fucking child.

681

: 00:31:41

Like she freaks out now having

already observed how this happened.

682

: 00:31:45

I know that they crack the eggs

into the bowl and they take a

683

: 00:31:49

spoon and they take the yolks out.

684

: 00:31:50

So I wasn't going to let this, I

just wanted to watch this right out.

685

: 00:31:53

I was like, I'm not saying shit, but

this other woman had kind of tapped on

686

: 00:31:56

the shoulder and she was like, uh, he's

going to take the yolk out, calm down.

687

: 00:31:59

And she was like, Oh, and she

didn't apologize or anything.

688

: 00:32:03

Like she was just so fucking rude.

689

: 00:32:05

Like every interaction I observed,

this woman having she's sucked.

690

: 00:32:09

, and so.

691

: 00:32:10

I get my wallet.

692

: 00:32:11

I get my omelet and just kind of give

her a little wink and go do anything..

693

: 00:32:15

So this morning I'm sitting down

and I'm eating my breakfast,

694

: 00:32:18

eating my omelet and my passion

fruit again, and reading my book.

695

: 00:32:22

And there's this other couple sitting

next to me and they're probably

696

: 00:32:25

in their like fifties or sixties.

697

: 00:32:27

Clearly Americans.

698

: 00:32:29

And the guy says, you know, once

you've been to one city, you

699

: 00:32:33

really been to all of them, but

this, and he gestures broadly.

700

: 00:32:37

This is traveling.

701

: 00:32:39

And I was like, oh, really?

702

: 00:32:42

Curt.

703

: 00:32:43

So are you telling me that Copenhagen

and Montgomery are the same fucking

704

: 00:32:48

thing because they were both cities.

705

: 00:32:50

I just like, could not wrap my

head around that logic, like this

706

: 00:32:54

sterilized resort that could be

fucking anywhere in the world.

707

: 00:32:58

This right here.

708

: 00:32:58

This is L I V I N.

709

: 00:33:01

, and I just laughed myself and I was

like, I'm never coming back here to.

710

: 00:33:04

These are not my fucking people.

711

: 00:33:06

I think the only thing worse than this is

like, would be being on a cruise for me.

712

: 00:33:10

, so then I go enjoy my day.

713

: 00:33:12

I have another spot experience.

714

: 00:33:13

, it was good.

715

: 00:33:14

So because of the debacle with check-in

knowing I was checking out the next day

716

: 00:33:18

I went to the front desk and I was like,

Hey, I just wanted to confirm what time

717

: 00:33:21

my airport transfer was going to be here.

718

: 00:33:23

And also confirmed that you've got a note

for my, my request for late checkout.

719

: 00:33:27

And the guy that I spoke with was

like, uh, I don't know, you'll

720

: 00:33:30

have to talk to the concierge.

721

: 00:33:32

And I was like, okay, but you

have a note for late checkout.

722

: 00:33:34

And he was like, no, we

don't check out the 12th.

723

: 00:33:36

And I was like, Oh, look,

my flight's at five.

724

: 00:33:39

I don't want to check out at 12.

725

: 00:33:40

That's stupid.

726

: 00:33:41

, and so I was just like, okay, I'm a

little confused, like I did call ahead.

727

: 00:33:44

And like, there was an issue with check-in

and now it seems to be, there's no note

728

: 00:33:47

with checkout and , is there, like,

can you please let me check out late?

729

: 00:33:51

And he was like, as a courtesy, I

can extend it by one hour to one

730

: 00:33:55

o'clock and I was like, how courteous?

731

: 00:33:58

Thank you so much.

732

: 00:33:59

So I'm like, oh fuck.

733

: 00:34:00

I'm ticket.

734

: 00:34:02

, and then I go and I enjoy my day.

735

: 00:34:03

, so, uh, the next morning I have

it all planned out because I want

736

: 00:34:07

to maximize my last morning there.

737

: 00:34:09

So I, again, go to breakfast.

738

: 00:34:11

I don't see my advisor friend.

739

: 00:34:12

, and I go straight to the pool

and , I drink two pina coladas.

740

: 00:34:17

I read my book I'm in this extra

cool little cabana bungalow thing.

741

: 00:34:21

, just.

742

: 00:34:22

L I V I N just kidding.

743

: 00:34:24

Um, I'm having a good time.

744

: 00:34:25

So I'm like, okay.

745

: 00:34:26

I had, I had done like a preliminary

packing the night before.

746

: 00:34:30

And I knew I just had to go back

to my room and kind of just like

747

: 00:34:33

do the final packing and then go.

748

: 00:34:35

So I was like, all right.

749

: 00:34:36

I'm going to leave the pool at 1215.

750

: 00:34:37

So that way I can go

check out at one o'clock.

751

: 00:34:40

So I get back to my room at like 12.

752

: 00:34:42

20.

753

: 00:34:43

And my fucking key card has

been disabled and I was like,

754

: 00:34:48

you have got to be kidding me.

755

: 00:34:50

So, this is one thing that really

does suck about solo travel.

756

: 00:34:54

So in this dynamic, like there's

nobody to put sunscreen on your back.

757

: 00:34:57

So you just have to like wildly spray

yourself and hope that you got everything.

758

: 00:35:01

Spoiler.

759

: 00:35:01

I didn't.

760

: 00:35:02

, but then also when there's

stuff like this, you can't be

761

: 00:35:04

like, can you go talk to them?

762

: 00:35:07

Like, there's.

763

: 00:35:07

You have nobody to rely on, but

yourself, you know what I mean?

764

: 00:35:10

So I'm just like, oh, and like nobody to

commiserate with you when things go wrong,

765

: 00:35:14

because things are going to go wrong.

766

: 00:35:15

I mean, that's just fucking life, right.

767

: 00:35:16

, so.

768

: 00:35:18

I, , , Cop , one of the housekeeping

staff and I was like, Hey, my key

769

: 00:35:21

card doesn't work for some reason.

770

: 00:35:22

, can you please let me in?

771

: 00:35:23

And she was like, sure.

772

: 00:35:24

So she let me in.

773

: 00:35:25

Luckily.

774

: 00:35:26

So I was like, all right.

775

: 00:35:26

So I finished backing.

776

: 00:35:28

I go to the front desk.

777

: 00:35:29

Tell them what happened?

778

: 00:35:30

They don't give a fuck and I check out,

, and then I had like two hours to hang out

779

: 00:35:35

before my airport transfer gets there.

780

: 00:35:37

, so I did more work and

whatever, whatever it was fine.

781

: 00:35:41

And then I go back to the airport.

782

: 00:35:46

Now.

783

: 00:35:46

The Dominican public.

784

: 00:35:47

I can't comment on because I saw airport.

785

: 00:35:50

Hotel airport.

786

: 00:35:52

Um, but I felt the whole time, like,

you know, so it's like you fly in.

787

: 00:35:57

Your airport transfer drives you

through some clearly low income

788

: 00:36:01

areas and then drops you off

at the slick stunning resort.

789

: 00:36:04

And you just feel fucking guilty because,

you know, you're like part of the problem.

790

: 00:36:08

Right.

791

: 00:36:09

, and so it just, I don't know, I had

this kind of like icky vibe, but the

792

: 00:36:12

whole time that I was like, Participant.

793

: 00:36:15

I know it's stimulate their economy

to have like travel and all these

794

: 00:36:18

resorts and stuff, but I don't know.

795

: 00:36:20

It's like there, there was something just

off about it to like go to a poor country,

796

: 00:36:24

to like enjoy myself and leave, you know?

797

: 00:36:27

, So I get back to the airport and I mean,

We are not in Hartsfield, obviously.

798

: 00:36:33

There is no clear.

799

: 00:36:34

There is no pre-check.

800

: 00:36:35

There is one line and boy, howdy.

801

: 00:36:38

Is the people watching

and got 10 out of 10.

802

: 00:36:42

I mean, Margaritaville exploded.

803

: 00:36:44

This line set up.

804

: 00:36:46

And so I'm just like, again, I don't

like the travel part of travel.

805

: 00:36:50

I don't like lines.

806

: 00:36:51

I don't like waiting.

807

: 00:36:52

I'm super like in-patient and

self-indulgent, and I don't like it.

808

: 00:36:58

, , I finally get up to security.

809

: 00:37:00

My backs go through, and of course

my backpack has to be checked.

810

: 00:37:03

The guy is just being so like,

Handsy with all of my things.

811

: 00:37:07

And I was like, whoa, like, can

I just like, I'll put it back.

812

: 00:37:09

Thank you.

813

: 00:37:10

, so.

814

: 00:37:10

I referenced earlier that I had quit

the, uh, Delta platinum card game in

815

: 00:37:15

lieu of the Amex platinum card game.

816

: 00:37:17

And one of the many perks of that

is that you get a priority lounge.

817

: 00:37:23

, pass for like the whole world

every year you get priority pass.

818

: 00:37:26

, so basically these, this is a lounge

network where, when you're at smaller

819

: 00:37:30

airports, , or places that maybe don't

have a Delta lounge or a Centurion lounge,

820

: 00:37:34

you have access to this lounge network.

821

: 00:37:36

, so I go to the lounge and

it's absolutely beautiful.

822

: 00:37:39

It has like, doesn't look like

it belongs in this airport.

823

: 00:37:42

, but there's this guy with a child.

824

: 00:37:44

, and it's like, it's a

big room tile floors.

825

: 00:37:47

So I go to the opposite side of the room.

826

: 00:37:49

This kid is so.

827

: 00:37:52

Believably loud.

828

: 00:37:54

And I mean, one of the themes

of the trip is like a sound

829

: 00:37:57

carries on different surfaces.

830

: 00:37:59

And it's like, this kid was screaming

in my ear and I just, I literally

831

: 00:38:02

took a video of like the floor.

832

: 00:38:04

And sent it to a friend.

833

: 00:38:05

It was like volume up.

834

: 00:38:06

Like this kid is probably like

half a mile away from me on the

835

: 00:38:10

other side of a very large room.

836

: 00:38:12

And this is how loud they are.

837

: 00:38:13

I mean, it was so annoying.

838

: 00:38:15

, and so that was just like, okay, I'm,

I'm now just annoyed and in a bad mood.

839

: 00:38:20

And I know that that probably sounds

unreasonable after having a little, you

840

: 00:38:24

know, beach vacay, but I was annoyed.

841

: 00:38:27

So our flight was delayed.

842

: 00:38:30

They also changed the gate.

843

: 00:38:32

There's no notification of any of this.

844

: 00:38:34

It is the wild wild west of this airport.

845

: 00:38:36

So I'm waiting with, you know,

the gen pop to get on this flight.

846

: 00:38:40

Um, I mean, I am the gen

pop I'm flying coach.

847

: 00:38:43

, \, I get on the flight and I'm

sitting, I I'm team I'll seat.

848

: 00:38:47

I'm sitting next to people who still

have their hard rock cafe wristbands on.

849

: 00:38:52

And I'm like, oh my God.

850

: 00:38:54

So I, , Start reading my book

and I'm just kind of relaxing

851

: 00:38:57

and just like ready to get home.

852

: 00:39:00

And, I hear this like thud and I look up.

853

: 00:39:03

And I see somebody stand up and I hear.

854

: 00:39:08

Cries for a doctor.

855

: 00:39:09

And I'm like, oh my God.

856

: 00:39:10

So there's a medical emergency

happening, three rows in front of me.

857

: 00:39:14

This man is having a seizure.

858

: 00:39:16

And immediately when they call for

doctors, , this nurse pops up . She

859

: 00:39:20

like, I mean, no hesitation.

860

: 00:39:22

This lady was a bad bitch.

861

: 00:39:24

She gets up and races up.

862

: 00:39:26

Uh, Matt starts helping

another nurse comes up and

863

: 00:39:29

then they get on the Intercom.

864

: 00:39:30

And they're like, if we have

any doctors on the plane and

865

: 00:39:32

reduction in bleeding, we've got

a medical emergency on this road.

866

: 00:39:34

Duh.

867

: 00:39:35

And then like, Real lethargic.

868

: 00:39:38

Only after these several female nurses

have like risen to the occasion, this

869

: 00:39:43

male doctor kind of saunters up like,

well, it seems to be the problem.

870

: 00:39:46

And I'm like, bro.

871

: 00:39:48

, so it was really, really, really scary.

872

: 00:39:52

, and the whole plane, of course,

like they turn on the interior

873

: 00:39:54

lights, the whole plane is staring.

874

: 00:39:56

It's gone.

875

: 00:39:56

Totally quiet.

876

: 00:39:57

It's I've never, I've never been on

a flight where this happened before.

877

: 00:40:00

I'm like, is this guy going to die?

878

: 00:40:02

Are we going to have to divert?

879

: 00:40:04

Am I going to be inconvenient?

880

: 00:40:05

I'm just going to have to give me.

881

: 00:40:06

Um, um, but like, oh my God.

882

: 00:40:08

So they, they get his seizures

under control, but I mean, it

883

: 00:40:11

was really kind of wild to watch.

884

: 00:40:14

All of this kind of unfold.

885

: 00:40:17

, so they're calling like, you know,

does anybody have any Gabapentin?

886

: 00:40:19

Does anybody have any of this?

887

: 00:40:21

, we need water, we need

a pillow, we need this.

888

: 00:40:22

And like everybody was working together

as a team to like, get this guy.

889

: 00:40:26

Right.

890

: 00:40:27

And I guess his girlfriend was sitting

several rows back and she ran up and

891

: 00:40:30

they were asking her questions like,

Does he have a history of seizures?

892

: 00:40:34

, has he been drinking?

893

: 00:40:35

Has he taken any drugs?

894

: 00:40:36

Like what has he been doing recently?

895

: 00:40:38

, tell us everything we could possibly know,

and then you can hear the questions being

896

: 00:40:42

asked, but you don't hear her answering.

897

: 00:40:44

And then I hear that one nurse say, how

long has the diarrhea been going on?

898

: 00:40:48

And I'm like, oh God, like

now this guy just is going to

899

: 00:40:52

die of fucking embarrassment.

900

: 00:40:54

So the whole plane knows.

901

: 00:40:56

He's had a diarrhea issue.

902

: 00:40:58

, and so this goes on for about 10 minutes.

903

: 00:41:00

They seem to have things under control.

904

: 00:41:02

People are starting to

kind of relax again.

905

: 00:41:04

And I'm like, at what point is it okay

to like go back to watching my movie?

906

: 00:41:10

Is it not disrespectful anymore?

907

: 00:41:12

Um, so they get things that are

controlled, but when we landed,

908

: 00:41:16

of course, they were like, sit

the fuck down, stay in your seats.

909

: 00:41:19

Like we need, , EMS to get on

and take this passenger out

910

: 00:41:22

before anybody can deep plane.

911

: 00:41:24

, obviously that's fine.

912

: 00:41:25

. He was okay.

913

: 00:41:26

Everybody clapped for the medical,

, professionals who helped him.

914

: 00:41:30

And, uh, That was just

kind of a wild experience.

915

: 00:41:34

, So I, it was interesting and I'll

kind of end on this food for thought

916

: 00:41:39

is the book that I was reading.

917

: 00:41:41

If you haven't read it,

it's called the measure.

918

: 00:41:43

And the concept is that.

919

: 00:41:46

One night overnight.

920

: 00:41:48

Every adult aged 22 or older.

921

: 00:41:52

Receives a box on their doorstep.

922

: 00:41:54

And inside this box, there's a

string and the string indicates

923

: 00:41:58

the length of their life.

924

: 00:42:00

And it really delves into the

personal and political and

925

: 00:42:05

social implications of knowing.

926

: 00:42:08

That you have maybe not much time

or a ton of time or whatever.

927

: 00:42:12

And it's just, I mean, I think

everybody should read it.

928

: 00:42:14

It's so well-written, it's so

thought provoking and interesting

929

: 00:42:17

and just really unique and good.

930

: 00:42:21

, but I'm curious.

931

: 00:42:22

If you got that box on your doorstep.

932

: 00:42:25

Would you open it?

933

: 00:42:26

So this whole trip, I've been reading

this book about, about life length

934

: 00:42:31

and quality of life and the purpose of

our life and the value of our life and

935

: 00:42:35

how we quantify all of those things.

936

: 00:42:37

And for that trip to end with a man.

937

: 00:42:40

Having a seizure on the

plane in front of me.

938

: 00:42:42

It really, it all just felt very.

939

: 00:42:47

Maybe kismet is too much of a

word, but it all felt like it.

940

: 00:42:52

Like, yeah, I don't know.

941

: 00:42:53

It was just, it was just a fascinating

kind of period on the end of that.

942

: 00:42:57

, so that is my story of my

recent little solo trip.

943

: 00:43:01

So if you're ever nervous to go on

a trip, just know that it's okay

944

: 00:43:07

and you don't have to be, and you

should all just book solo trips.

945

: 00:43:10

I think everybody should go on a

solo trip, even if it's like one

946

: 00:43:14

night away on a little road trip,

like whatever, start at whatever

947

: 00:43:18

scale feels a little scary to you.

948

: 00:43:20

And then you can always

turn up the heat from there.

949

: 00:43:23

, but I, you know, I enjoyed

the majority of this trip.

950

: 00:43:26

I won't return to that resort because

they pissed me off with my check-in

951

: 00:43:28

and check-out and my coconut drink.

952

: 00:43:30

, And I did let them know and they offered

me no additional Marriott points.

953

: 00:43:33

And that's why I'm naming names.

954

: 00:43:35

, but either way, thank you so much

for listening to this episode.

955

: 00:43:39

If you have any questions about solo

travel, please hit me up on Instagram at

956

: 00:43:44

Clover club pod, and as always clever club

listeners get 10% off@hawkinsandclover.com

957

: 00:43:51

with promo code Clover club, all caps.

958

: 00:43:53

And I will hear you next week.

959

: 00:43:56

I'm doing a really fun

episode about Mahjong.

960

: 00:43:59

Bye.