May 27, 2016

Solo Vacation 

By Joe

I was trying to think if I’d ever gone on vacation by myself before. Only one time comes to mind, but it wasn’t a vacation but a research trip. About ten years ago, I went to Italy for a month. I was all alone and knew no one in Italy. I’d never been anywhere by myself. Like now, I lived alone at the time, but I’d never gone off to a strange place all on my own. It was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. But again, that was not a pleasure trip, it was a research trip.

My trip to Montreal this weekend will be the first time I am going on vacation by myself for pleasure. This time it’s more exhilarating than terrifying. I plan to have a great time exploring the city. On this trip I get to do exactly what I want to do and I don’t have to worry about anyone else.

I needed to get away this weekend. I needed a mental health break. Six months ago this Sunday, a dear friend of mine who was like a brother died in a car accident. He was a very beautiful soul. One of the kindest and most loving people I’ve ever known. Instead of mourning him, I can spend this weekend celebrating his life. He would be so excited that I am going to Montreal and will be able to explore the Gay Village. He was always my biggest cheerleader when it came to exploring my sexuality more. 

It’s not just the Gay Village, it is so much more that I want to see. The museums and cathedral and so many other things in Old Montreal. I have the history on one side of me and I have the gay experience on the other. It’s a vacation that I have tailored for me, and if I’m lucky, I’ll meet a few friends along the way. I already have plans to meet one friend of mine in Montreal for drinks, so unlike my time in Italy, I will know someone this time.

So I hope you will wish me luck and that I have a great and safe time. As soon as work is over, I have to run back by my apartment quickly then I’m hitting the road and driving to Montreal. If all goes well, I should make it to Montreal by about 7:30 tonight. Once I get checked in I plan to head down to the hotel restaurant and have their Moules à la Provençale et Frite Maison (Provençale style mussels and hand crafted French fries). It’s a dish I’ve wanted to try for a long time. I love mussels and good French fries.
PS The picture above was taken while I was in Venice, Italy. Isn’t he gorgeous? I stood and watched him for the longest time.

About Joe

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I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's. My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces. View all posts by Joe
This entry was posted on Friday, May 27th, 2016 at 7:00 am and posted in Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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