[Tamiswaiting]

I keep tossing around the idea of going to visit again soon. I keep trying to picture traveling alone. Particularly navigating the airports, and such, and I start to feel overwhelmed. Since the last trip was my very first flight anywhere, it's not like I'm a seasoned traveler. It was great having my friend with me to guide me, but, if I go again, it'll probably be alone. How bad/scary is it? I know...I'm a wimp.

The second part is that I think that maybe I should wait to see how PGN goes and not plan anything just yet....I keep going back and forth and am making myself nuts! What do you think?

[mmpierce]

You can do it! Seriously, I used to travel for my job 8 years ago, but had hardly flown since. I've made 2 visit trips alone and the airport thing is fine. Our facilitator met me the first time so that was very comforting, but she forgot me the 2nd trip and I just took the Marriott shuttle & all was fine.

Dealing w/the baby can be hard alone, but I would just stay at a adoption family friendly hotel. I stayed at the Marriott both times and just having other adoptive families to talk to & eat with was very helpful in not feeling so alone.

You just never know about PGN and I don't think you'd ever regret visiting--especially if you found a Spirit air deal or something!

Keep us posted!

[Tamiswaiting]

Originally Posted by mmpierce

--especially if you found a Spirit air deal or something!

I think that if I could take advantage of a great deal, it would take away some ambivalence! I love a deal!

Thanks for your input!

[Justhavfaith]

In my opinion, I think that you can do it!!! However, that being said, my husband was with me on both of our trips. I would also recommend staying at an adoption friendly Hotel. There are always friendly faces to help you if you need it. I think that if you can handle the baby alone, you can handle the travel alone.

One other thing that I always recommend that I don't see here often is to take with you a phone number for a Doctor or Nurse here in the US. Also PLEASE, take some basic first aid items. Most or our visit trips are on week ends and therefore medical advice is hard to get if you need it. Traveling alone, this would be very important.

[SKL]

Things are always so much easier the second time. You pretty much know what to expect. It might help to make sure you are taking exactly the same flights, but even if you don't, you have an idea of what to expect.

There are some things that are easier about traveling alone. You don't need to worry about whether the other person is hungry or needs to go to the bathroom or whether you'll get seats together. You can read a nice book rather than trying to think of something to talk about that you haven't already been talking about for the past 96 hours. You can order room service instead of worrying that your companion is getting tired of having the same three choices every day. You can spend more time with the other adoptive parents in the hotel. You can wait until 3pm to take a shower.

As far as being able to keep up with the work, don't worry about that - you will be able to do it. I was able to manage two babies on my visit trip with very little assistance. If everything doesn't go perfectly, don't worry - the baby won't remember. And (I never thought I'd say this, but by day 3 in a hotel room . . . ) if you start to feel overwhelmed, you can put the baby in front of the TV (or DVD) for a while, so you can partially escape.

Don't worry - you will be fine on your trip if you decide to go. Good luck!

[carlyincali]

I went w/my sister on my first visit. I knew then that I could do it alone. YOU can totally do it. I did it and I am usually a "scaredy cat." It was so wonderful! I was so worried that I might get bored being in the hotel for so long--but it was just the opposite. I made so many friends. I only wish that I kept in touch w/some of them.

[I am scared of so much it seems. But it's funny, when it comes to one of my kids, I would walk through fire.]

[RGirl]

I traveled alone last month, and I have booked another solo trip for next month. I will say that the second trip was not as "fun" as my POA trip when my mom was there, but that was largely because I was so sad over my dog having died the day before. As far as it being too difficult - nah! It is very do-able, and there are other adoptive families around to help if needed. I was so happy to have those days with my baby girl - and in some ways, it was nice to have her all to myself. Of course, I am going to be a single parent, so I figured I had to get used to doing things myself anyway! Hahahahaha

Good luck with your decision!

[Tamiswaiting]

Originally Posted by SKL

It might help to make sure you are taking exactly the same flights

I thought about this because it would lessen my anxiety tremendously going to the same airports and knowing exactly where to go. That would make a big difference to me.

Originally Posted by SKL

rather than trying to think of something to talk about that you haven't already been talking about for the past 96 hours.

This made me laugh out loud!

Thanks!

[Tamiswaiting]

Carla-Yes, that's me (a scaredy cat) when it comes to going places that I've either never been to or haven't found my comfort zone in yet. It's very annoying because in my every day life, I'm quite confident and even assertive. It's frustrating for me to have this....well, it's almost a phobia...

I'm not really worried about being alone once I get there. It's more about the travel.

[carlyincali]

Tami,

I am really bad sometimes it seems--I guess you could call it a phobia. We have a boat, (actually two boats,) and are always at the river. Everyone in my family loves being on the boat--but me. I feel like such a fuddy-duddy all the time. I hate to be the big downer in my family and I am really trying to change. I never used to be this way until my kids were born.

Not having to travel is one of the main reasons we chose Guatemala--because I am terrified of flying. But, let me tell you about the miracle of Xanex. I can fly now! I can even go on the boat! It helps me so much. It doesn't make you groggy or out-of-it. It just "takes the edge off." It only lasts about three hours tops and starts working pretty fast. I take one when I get to the gate at the airport and then I take another one just before we take off--which is about an hour later. The flight is only 3-1/2 to 4 hours for me because I am in CA. (I have never needed to take another one for the landing.)

I am so against taking pills and medication. For example, I will only take advil if my headache won't go away even after hours of suffering from it. If you are as freaked out about flying as me, I suggest you ask your doctor about it.

[carlyincali]

My above message was taking so long to post and then I started thinking that I might get in trouble for posting medication names, so I cancelled it before it went through and PM'd you the same message--but the message went through anyway.

Oh well, I'm still here, (not banned again,) so I guess it was okay to post this.

[JustBarbara]

You can do it!!! Yes, indeed - hey, once you've been to Guatemala ... seriously, if you can afford it I'd go visit. It's not bad or scary in fact I LOVED it that it was just DS and myself - a little selfish but it was just the two of us. Since you've just entered PGN I'd schedule the visit trip for sometime in mid-June or thereabouts where you might find good deals (plenty of advance notice). Just make sure it's okay with your agency re: date options. Go for it - have fun and let's see some pics when you return. - Barbara

[annaguat]

I think you would be fine. Maybe you can go through the same airports etc. or plan to go when another person on the list or with your agency goes down for a visit. Anna

[ana-mom]

My only recommendation - if you have to change planes give yourself a lot of time if you are unfamiliar with the airport and traveling.

I think you'll be fine though and it will definitely be worth it.

[jemmawag]

You can do it! My DS and I can no longer afford to travel together so we take turns. Since we just got a KO last week and have no idea when this will end, I will be keeping my eye open for a deal then I am gone...