Stephanie Moreland
Professional Writer & Photographer

July 21, 2007

I hadn’t even gotten on the airplane in Houston yet, and I had already made some friends. This young woman who clearly only spoke Spanish naturally was the only person chosen for “an extensive security check”. The woman checking ID’s at the security checkpoint kept repeating herself, over and over “You have been chosen for an extensive security check. Please follow that man to the line over on the right side.” This poor girl looked close to tears and shook her head in incomprehension. I said to the security girl, “She doesn’t speak English. She needs someone who speaks Spanish. She doesn’t know what you’re saying”. So the genius security girl snapped back at me, “That’s why I’m trying to speak slower and louder.” Good plan. I’m sure that will help her understand you clearly.  I smiled sympathetically to this poor young woman- I had helped her find the ticket counter earlier in my halting Spanish. She smiled at me despite her stressful circumstances and said, “Muchas Gracias”.

A sudden wave of fear washes over me as I think about the fact that I am traveling to a strange country where I don’t speak the language---for four months. I will be like this girl who only speaks Spanish. I might get accosted by some dumb security person who only alienates me more because I don’t speak Italian.  God, please let there be people who will help me.

We all filed into line, struggling with our baggage, and I attempted to take my huge work boots off with some hint of sophistication, but I failed miserably and nearly toppled over the woman behind me. This woman behind me said in a thick accent, “It is evil people that cause this. So sad it is.” I nodded as I almost fell over sideways putting my boots back on. We struck up a conversation and I found out that this couple was from Trinidad. We chatted for a few minutes and then had to part ways. “You come to Trinidad and visit. We will welcome you.” We parted ways after exchanging business cards and she gave me a hug. “Safe travels to you.” Sometimes the world seems like it will swallow you whole, and then suddenly, a stranger from halfway across the world blesses your travels, and you feel like the world is one cozy little place.

At the airport in Newark, I stopped for a few minutes to gaze out at the dusk light hovering over the Manhattan skyline. It was that perfect time of the evening where the sun is about to sink below the skyline to be replaced with the dazzling lightshow that is Manhattan at night.  I fought the urge to run out of the airport, catch the nearest cab, and head towards the beckoning skyline. But I have a date with Rome. Not that I’m complaining. I love the fact that New York (my favorite U.S city) is the last place I will see in America before I go to Rome (one of my favorite cities elsewhere).

I stopped at a restaurant to get an appetizer and a glass of wine. A small bit of self-pity bubbled up in my awareness as the hostess seated in the very far, dark, back corner of the restaurant. I think I just saw cobwebs in my dark crypt of a corner. Did they think I was ashamed to be traveling alone? I have dined alone many times, and it seems to me that many places do their best to make diners feel more alienated from the rest of those lucky ladies and gents that have dining companions. Perhaps I was just being too sensitive. Eating alone isn’t so odd- until you are sat in a very far, very dark corner where people are looking at you funny. I wonder if I will spend four months of my trip in the cobwebs of solo travel. I am about to find out.