Episode title: SLO to San Diego by Train, GF Diets, and a Confidence Challenge
Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, a world traveler who has traveled solo for over 50 years. I'm coming to you after a recent trip to Asia. I visited Taiwan and South Korea for 10 days. I’m here to share my best travel ideas and work on solo travel. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world solo again. The aim is world peace through cultural exchange. I’m about to travel the world for 90 days.
Listener Story Spotlight
I want to tell you about a listener who recently retired as a dental hygienist. Her name is Cathy A. She’s been a big supporter of this podcast. She is traveling to Wisconsin to see her family and attend reunions. She’s enjoying her retirement by playing Marjan and. She recently sold her house and moved back into a condo she had bought decades before marriage. Her contractor husband fixed it up to her specs before they moved in, and she’s so happy. She’ll be traveling a lot more soon.
Quick fire FAQ:
The FAQ for today is: How can I find the right foods when I travel? I am gluten-free, and I have a hard time finding the right foods.
First, you can use trusten gluten-free apps, but don’t trust them completely. Find me gluten-free options. The GF scanner, Yuka, and Happy Cow are three to check out. Find Me Gluten Free is a restaurant review site for gluten-free diners, primarily focused on the US, but with some unreliable data. The second is a scanner for reading labels with gluten information. The third is mostly for vegans and vegetarians, but it also filters for gluten-free.
Here are some more tips for GF travel.
Learn Local Phrases,
For example, Celiac Travel.
Bring Printed translation cards
Book accommodations with kitchens or fridges.
Shop local
Be wary of street food, buffets, and Gluten-friendly menus. These are not medically safe.
Bring a stash of protein bars, GF crackers, or instant oats.
Use Facebook or Reddit Gluten-Free Travel Groups.
Check Airline and airport dining in advance.
Red Flag countries' Awareness or Labeling Laws.
60-second confidence challenge
3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance
Select walkable neighborhoods with public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select.
When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives during daylight hours, which can vary in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more challenging.
To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don’t look like a target, either.
If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper—
https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com
See Book A on Amazon or my website for information on all of these items.
Destination Deep‑Dive
Today’s destination is:
| “Amtrak Coastal Sampler: San Luis Obispo to San Diego” |
Do you love train travel? Have you considered Amtrak? I took one of the very best train trips on July 4. I started in San Luis Obispo, known as SLO to the locals. I was the only passenger in first class who picked me up at 5 pm. The porter greeted me happily and brought me snacks and drinks. The entire night was like a dream. I could see fireworks in hundreds of cities along the path to San Diego. I did transfer trains in Los Angeles, but even then, I could see a lot of fireworks. This was a treat. I was the only one in the car until we got close to San Diego, about a 5-hour trip.
What is there to do in SLO? The beauty of the area will take your breath away. Your taste buds will be treated to incredible tastes from many choices. Your thirst will be quenched with fresh wine and beers from the local wineries and breweries.
The weather is almost always great here, too.
Slip-ups and smart moves
One thing I messed up was not downloading the e-ticket before I reached the poor Wi-Fi zones on the train. But the fix is easy. Just download and take a screenshot of the ticket when you're preparing for the trip and have a good Wi-Fi connection.
Practice: Test out your local commuter train and take a ride this weekend.
60-second confidence challenge
Have you been on a train lately?
Practice: Test your local commuter train and ride this weekend.
Buy the ticket on your phone, then validate it before boarding the train. If your train requires a ticket screenshot, take that before you board.
Resources Roundup:
If you're looking for more female solo resources, you can find several tips and ways to navigate the pitfalls. Check out the 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part A, the audiobook, or Part B. They are available in eBook and paperback formats on Amazon. The ebook is also available on my website.
Take away mantra.
You can travel solo and never be alone. Dr. Travelbest.
Thanks for listening! Please send me your travel stories or questions. Listen for the next episode next week and the 320 plus episodes waiting for you to get going.
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