I waited for my United Airlines flight to New Orleans at 7:45 a.m. while a thick fog blanketed the morning sky, causing my flight to be somewhat delayed.
It was my first time going by myself for pleasure, so I was anxious.
I'm accustomed to taking vacations with my family or friends, and I hadn't really gone on a vacation since before the pandemic.
Even though I had spent days organizing how I would make the most of my time in New Orleans, I was nonetheless apprehensive about venturing out alone into such a strange environment.
It was the off-season for tourism when I visited the Big Easy in the middle of October.
As a result, instead of the vibrant, bustling metropolis I had read about in all the travel books, I was greeted with it when I arrived.
I departed for the hotel as soon as my jet touched down in New Orleans, which was around noon.
I considered my first day here alone as we were driving in the taxi, wondering how I would do it.
I didn't have to worry about making compromises with my family or friends in order to do everything I wanted.
I had a positive outlook going into this trip and wanted to cram as much as I could into the two short days.
The Moxy, a hotel that is close to both the French Quarter and the CB2, is where I was staying.
I just spent one night in the city, so the hotel wasn't particularly luxurious, but it was adequate for my brief visit.
I finally realized I was alone as soon as I stepped inside my small, dark hotel room.
Even though I had spent the days before making to-do lists and searching the internet for trip information, something about seeing my hotel room brought everything into focus for me.
My decision to travel alone to a city known for its nightlife caused me to start to worry.
I began to second-guess my decision to arrange for this vacation without any company.
I don't know if it was because I wanted to take a nap after my 7:45 a.m. flight or if it was just because the idea of spending the entire day alone felt overwhelming.
My travel manuals and schedules seemed to be no longer applicable all of a sudden.
Going alone to jazz clubs and bars didn't seem like a good idea.
I still wanted to see New Orleans and do all the touristy stuff, but I soon realized there were some things I could not — or did not want to — do as a lone traveler in a foreign city.
Having read in almost every travel guide that beignets are a must-try in New Orleans, I quickly left my new home after settling in order to find some.
I made the decision to stroll to Café Du Monde in order to have a better view of the city.
I took in the palm trees and the French-Creole structures I saw on the way.
I had never seen a city in the United States quite like New Orleans, and I felt a world apart from New York City.
On a Wednesday at 2 p.m., most of the city was calm, but Café Du Monde was packed with customers and live music.
The majority of patrons seated outside on the cafe's terrace appeared to be tourists trying the specialty of New Orleans for the first time.
The beignets were covered in thick layers of powdered sugar and contained a layer of fried dough underneath.
Being by myself, all I could do was silently consume my beignets while observing others.
One of the few crowded locations I had seen during my stay was the restaurant.
A couple, a group of elderly people laughing, and several children with powdered sugar on their faces were seated across from me.
I will admit, and this is probably one of my least-liked viewpoints, but I wasn't the biggest lover of the beignets at this local landmark.
In spite of the fact that three beignets and an iced coffee only cost $10 (a bargain compared to the prices I'm used to paying in the city), I didn't particularly enjoy the way the powdered sugar coated my teeth and the table I was sitting at.
The fried dough was overly strewn about, and it was nearly impossible to find it behind the sugar.
The remainder of my day was a blur, save for the beignets.
I took a little more time to explore the city and wandered up and down Bourbon Street, which resembled Times Square for the South in many aspects.
I didn't feel like I could appreciate the garish bars or the neon-colored, excessive cocktails by myself, especially considering that the street was crowded with groups of intoxicated visitors having a good time.
I didn't spend much time on this well-known road, so.
I felt myself wishing I was with a pal once more after observing the partygoers having a good time.
When I got back to my hotel that evening, I made a schedule of things I could do before leaving the next morning for the airport.
I was even more determined to make my final day in New Orleans, which was also my second, worthwhile.
I made the decision to traverse the Garden District on foot before going to the City Park location of the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The following day was spent traveling to the Garden District in a forest-green streetcar down St. Charles Avenue.
I strolled past rows of somewhat decaying mansions, using my phone sometimes to look up information about specific old houses.
According to a broker attempting to sell one of the homes to an elderly couple, several of the properties were valued in the millions of dollars.
One of the most relaxing activities I did during my brief trip was walking through the Garden District.
I began to appreciate going by myself since I could pause, awe, and learn about the old houses at my own speed.
Additionally, there was something wonderful about exploring the New Orleans Museum of Art by yourself.
I had the freedom to go at my own pace, just like the mansions in the Garden District.
One show about the development of Black photography in the United States was fantastic, and I really liked viewing several works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
I also got to witness the picturesque New Orleans City Park, which was primarily populated by swarms of geese hunting for food.
I was astonished by how many things I could get done in such a short amount of time as I strolled between the oak and weeping willow trees.
I saw so much of the city, from the beignets and surrounding Jackson Square to the mansions of the Garden District, mostly on foot and with the aid of streetcars.
Even though I didn't precisely get to experience a jazz club or bar, I still found enjoyment in going to the parks, seeing the city, and learning more about all the interesting historical sites.
Two days passed by so fast that I quickly hurried back to the hotel to get my belongings and head to the airport.
My visit to New Orleans taught me the importance of finding time to enjoy being by oneself.
I never have a dull moment in New York City because there is always something to do or someone to see.
Even though it occasionally felt awkward, I was able to prioritize myself on this vacation.
Even though I'll definitely travel to the Big Easy again with friends or family, I'm delighted I got to see a new place on my own.
I learned a few things about myself and came to like being a solo traveler after seeing New Orleans.
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