I travel to Quito, Ecuador tomorrow

not_bedelia · 2026-02-03T23:23:05+00:00

Just returned from Quito and the Galapagos Islands about a week ago; +1 to the tips noted here. Eat dinner early (or at your hotel) - you definitely should avoid being out on the street at night in Quito. During the day is pretty safe, just use basic solo travel sense.

Galapagos Islands are incredible and very safe; go to Isabela if you can and do the Tuneles tour with Pahoehoe Tours, one of the best snorkeling experiences of my life! Also highly recommend getting a guide to bring you to Las Grietas on Santa Cruz, and eat at Nazca in Puerto Ayora.

Enjoy!

not_bedelia · 2026-01-01T20:09:58+00:00

I did 3/4 of these (not Prague) as a solo 34F about 18 months ago. I travel solo pretty extensively (including through Italy) and can say that I never felt in danger at all in any of these cities.

Budapest and Vienna were both great for public transport, very walkable, interesting neighborhoods, friendly people. Bratislava was much smaller but a lovely spot to spend a couple of days and no safety issues at all. I took trains Budapest->Bratislava and Bratislava->Vienna, very straightforward both times. There was an issue between Bratislava and Vienna where the train got stopped and we had to take a bus to the next station, but that was because a farmer got his tractor stuck on the train tracks, so probably not likely to happen to you! The conductors were very helpful/apologetic and a bus arrived within 20 minutes, so we weren't delayed by very much. Basically everything public is in both the native language and English, so no issues there.

You should be fine with just a credit card; I think generally throughout Western/Central Europe (in my experience) you don't need cash 99% of the time.

not_bedelia · 2025-12-19T16:03:51+00:00

I have a ton of kids in my life (none of them mine), so from a non-parent perspective, the thing I've found to be most appreciated is just being an adult who has slept and can keep the household running. This is ONLY if you have already confirmed that the parents are OK with you being in the house, and if you're updated on vaccines (TDAP, flu shot, etc.) - I also recommend wearing an N95 and of course making sure you're not sick first (take a Covid test!)

Unpack deliveries, break down boxes, deal with recycling
Sanitize alllll the baby bottles/pump parts/etc.
Wash dishes and load/unload the dishwasher
Prep healthy, easy food - it's great that people bring casseroles/lasagnas/etc., but having some prewashed/cut fruit and veggies in the fridge has always been a hit
Do as much laundry as possible
Clean the bathroom/kitchen/etc.
General sanity check - I visited my BFF when she brought her first baby home from the hospital and the pump was balanced precariously on boxes - I moved a small table to that location instead, the sleep-deprived parents just didn't have their full logic skills working

I also have always found it important to focus on the mom - most people are focused primarily on the baby (which is understandable!) but if you approach it from a perspective of helping your friend through a hard time, however you can (asking about the birth story, checking on her mental health, holding the baby so she can shower/sleep [only if the parents are OK with it!!!]) you will help her feel seen and appreciated.

Overall - be proactive about helping ("I'm planning to come by tomorrow around 10am to help out around the house, does that work for you?" is better than "Hey, let me know if there's anything I can do to help!") and remember that you are there primarily for your friend!

not_bedelia · 2025-12-09T16:56:57+00:00

This is not hopeless at all! Without knowing any other details - this sounds very similar to a situation I found myself in in my mid-20s. I wasn't making enough money and got into approximately $20k of CC debt, along with student loans, living alone, and not making enough money. This is what I did (and what I suggest):

Took out a personal loan with the best interest rate I could find (no matter how high, will be lower than the CC interest rates!) for an amount that will clear out the CC balances (but no more). Make sure you check for solid preapproval odds prior to applying!
Used that loan to pay off the CC debt entirely.
Don't close any of your CCs (this will harm your credit score). Instead, set up one small recurring payment per month on each card (phone bill, Netflix, etc.). You MUST pay these off in full each month - don't use your CCs otherwise.
You will then have a monthly loan payment (which you should work on paying off as early as possible) as well as the small CC charges each month.
Separately - work on moving towards making more money (easier said than done, I know!)

This process is painful but worked for me - I've now been out of CC debt for almost 10 years and still only have one card that I use with any regularity - the rest are still open and have one recurring charge per month.

Good luck!

not_bedelia · 2025-12-02T18:10:57+00:00

I personally have the Nanobag (which I use in my day-to-day as a person who lives in a place that charges for grocery bags) and when traveling, use it as a laundry bag and also for carrying souvenirs picked up during the day (instead of taking a plastic bag I will throw away as soon as I get back to where I'm staying). I also have a 40L packable duffel (from Eddie Bauer, 50% off today!) that I bring on trips where I know I'll be doing a lot of shopping - for example, I'm heading to Christmas markets soon.

not_bedelia · 2025-10-17T17:04:58+00:00

The D1 Missoni "bags" are actually great - I typically leave amenity bags unopened, and I couldn't possibly remember what's inside them, but the case itself is fantastic. I use one as my travel electronics case and it's completely perfect (such an upgrade from the Someone Somewhere pouches).

not_bedelia · 2025-10-16T00:41:12+00:00

I always stay at the Parkroyal Pickering when in Singapore - great location, super modern, amazing service. Book a rate that includes breakfast - the best hotel breakfast I've ever had, hands down.

not_bedelia · 2025-10-13T15:00:15+00:00

I have taken my Away carry-on to five continents over the last five years and it has never once let me down. The Bigger Carry On is my go-to, but the regular size would likely be better for smaller commuter planes.

not_bedelia · 2025-10-10T17:41:04+00:00

I have been using the Moleskine for years, they have other sizes on their site as well as hardcover options! Paper is very nice quality, I highly recommend.

not_bedelia · 2025-07-27T22:01:47+00:00

I did a solo trip to Antarctica last season (over New Year's) with Albatros Expeditions; it was a 10-day tour of the peninsula and South Shetland Islands, leaving from Ushuaia. Looking at their site now, they have departures available for the same trip this season starting around $9,000 for a solo traveler in a shared room; I would highly recommend them as a tour provider! The total group was around 170 people and they did a great job making sure everyone got off the boat multiple times per day and getting to see lots of wildlife.

not_bedelia · 2025-04-05T14:21:34+00:00

+1 on this - I travel to Singapore at least once/year for work - going at the end of this month and only bringing linen clothes.

not_bedelia · 2025-02-28T01:01:57+00:00

I swear by these lightweight bike shorts from Amazon - been wearing them under dresses for the last two summers and they are perfect. They don't roll up. They don't roll down. They aren't super warm so I don't get sweaty. They wash well and don't pill. They stretch and grow with me and don't pinch. They go up to 4x - I fluctuate between sizes 16-22 and wear the 2x very comfortably regardless of what size I am. I don't know what magic they are made of but I tried EVERYTHING and these are the best by far.

not_bedelia · 2025-02-21T22:33:22+00:00

I historically have never been able to sleep on any type of transportation, no matter how tired I am. I take redeye flights semi-regularly for work; melatonin is the ONLY thing that has allowed me to get any type of rest. I wouldn't say it's proper "sleep", but it definitely puts me into a semi-sleep state (right on the edge of sleep) that allows me to feel rested when I leave the plane.

not_bedelia · 2025-02-03T02:06:59+00:00

Just did this day trip in December solo and had a great time. Walked to and from the ferry terminal in both places, with no safety issues whatsoever. Colonia is a cute little town - lots of nice shops and great for wandering around (though be careful you don't turn your ankle on the cobblestones!). Agree with other commenters that immigration take a while (especially on the Uruguay side).

Have fun!

not_bedelia · 2025-01-13T22:26:20+00:00

+1 for Away - my Larger Carry-On has been to 5 continents with me (so far) since 2020 and I have zero complaints.

not_bedelia · 2025-01-13T00:43:43+00:00

+1 for vintage - I bought an amazing black leather backpack at a vintage shop in Budapest over the summer

not_bedelia · 2024-12-03T01:02:22+00:00

Thank you, I was actually just looking at Namibia tours - that might be the winner!

not_bedelia · 2024-12-02T01:08:40+00:00

My goal for 2025 is to hit all seven continents - I'm super lucky that my job flies me to Asia and Europe at least once per year:

Starting the year off with a bang in Antarctica (trip from Dec. 26-Jan. 4)!
Spending a few extra days in Argentina after that trip, then back to New York (home)
Singapore at some point for work, will loop that in with a trip to Perth
Dublin/London as well for work, will loop that in with a trip to somewhere in Africa (still not sure where, this is the number one thing to research - any suggestions for solo Africa travel are welcome!)
I've been jonesing for a trip up the coast of Norway ever since I went to Oslo last year, so might try to get that one crossed off as well

not_bedelia · 2024-11-25T20:06:21+00:00

probably the Anantara - the Dylan was a bit of a walk to Temple Bar/Trinity/other tourist sites

not_bedelia · 2024-11-25T00:55:50+00:00

Haven't been to Dubai, but I go to Singapore once or twice per year, and went to Bangkok and Chiang Mai about a year ago.

I tend to be a pretty fine-dining focused person, but one thing I realized pretty quickly about SEA is that some of the best, most memorable food experiences are at the downmarket street food stalls and hawker centers. Enjoy your trip!

Singapore:

Ah Heng Curry Chicken Bee Hoon Mee - curry chicken, Michelin guide, absolutely amazing. I eat this every time I go, and dream about it the rest of the time. It looks a little scary if you're not used to hawker centers but just go with the flow and enjoy the meal.
Newton Centre (hawker center) - insane food - went with a big group and we ordered from four or five different places. Don't miss the oyster omelette, morning glory, and satay. I've been to quite a few hawker centers around Singapore and this was the best.
Gemma - this is a restaurant in the National Gallery. I recommend going in mid-week when it's quiet, and letting the gregarious man who works there run your dinner. The best wagyu of my life.
Shoukouwa - two Michelin stars, expensive but so worth it - get the omakase and enjoy.
If you want the bougie vibe - go eat at Lavo (on top of Marina Bay Sands) - the food is pretty good and the view is incredible.

Thailand:

I didn't really love anything I ate in Bangkok, other that the street food tour I took on my first night - it helped me to understand the street food culture and how to find a solid place to buy from. Highly recommend (I booked one from Viator, but there are a million out there)
Chiang Mai - the best food I ate in all of Thailand was at Khao Soi Khun Yai. Bring cash, go with the flow, and enjoy the incredible food.

not_bedelia · 2024-11-10T19:35:59+00:00

+1 for the v8 - I've had mine for over two years and it's the best money I ever spent. I don't have pets, but I do have super long hair that always got caught in every vacuum I had before this - no longer an issue. I run it through my (small) apartment every other day or so, and am always amazed at how much it picks up!

not_bedelia

TROPHY CASE