Most people can cope with life, most people would jump at the opportunity that is happening to me and not have a second thought about how they would cope with the onslaught of organising and go on a solo trip of a lifetime but then I am not most people. I am 51 years old and I have recently been diagnosed with autism and last February I booked a trip of a lifetime to go to Fiji and new Zealand.
The trip first started as a gift from my husband for my 50th birthday present so I could go and see my best friend in New Zealand. I then made the decision to visit another friend in Fiji. Why not? I will most probably never get the opportunity to do this again so I took the plunge and booked the flights with my husband’s help and the blessings from my work as they said that they would hold my job whilst I went travelling. I decided to book Airbnb places so I felt more secure than staying in a hotel which would also be more expensive and so began my planning.
I received some inheritance money which meant I could afford to treat myself to lots of trips whilst I was staying in these amazing places. As the time grows closer, I feel more anxious, I feel as though I am on def com 9 as my brain spirals the thoughts of what do I pack? How many liquids can I take? Will I read the information correctly on the departure screens? Will I be safe travelling alone? Will people help me as I now know I have autism which basically means that my brain is wired differently and now the latest concern is the virus that has caused a whole city to be shut down in China and at Hong Kong Airport they will be scanning passengers to see if they have a fever?
So you would most probably say don’t worry, everything is going to be okay but when you have autism your brain analyses things differently. I make lots of lists, put things in boxes in preparation for the trip and reanalyse the trip. I am also going to write this blog as my journey is soon starting for real as my flight is departing on Saturday.
Autistic Solo Traveller 