When things go wrong. Abroad. Alone.

Since I started traveling alone, I met many people, women especially but not just, that shared with me that it was their dream to travel alone, but that they are scared, or don’t have the courage to do so.

I want to talk about not having courage, because that is where I started my solo traveling from, and that is where I often find myself at, even after several successful trips alone to foreign countries.

In my experience, courage is not something we have or don’t have. It is not something some of us are born with or are gifted with. It is more of a state of mind and something we can work on and enhance. We can even trick our minds to believe that we are courageous.

Part of my travelling alone is preparation. There are days where I am spontaneous and unplanned, and days where I made plans and researched a place in advance. But on all days I am responsible and I listen to my intuition. If going to a concert alone at night in an industrial zone outside of the city did not feel wise to me, I passed on it. If I would not feel safe doing something in my home country, there is no reason to put myself in that situation abroad.

In my last solo trip alone, I passed on that concert and instead choose to go to a show in the city. It was my last night in Rome. I bought a ticket to the show, and went to the place next door to buy a coffee while I wait for the entrance time. I missed a single step inside the restaurant, and fell, badly. I was on the floor, in excruciating pain, the coffee was spilt all over me but that was the least of my problems. That just shows you that being responsible is of course not an insurance that things won’t go wrong, like in anything in life, things are unexpected. People tried to help me up but I was in so much pain and my ankle was so twisted that I didn’t even try, there was no way I could put weight on it. An ambulance was called, and it seemed like forever until it arrived. I was in so much pain that all I could do was wail and put a hand on my mouth. A nice teenager that spoke fairly good english was with me, and a male nurse that spoke no english was there too the entire time, and I am grateful for that. They were surprised I was there alone and there was no one they could call for me, but they did their best to calm me down that there is a really near hospital and that the ambulance should be arriving any minute now.

The ambulance arrived and I remember asking for something for pain. The paramedics told me that they could not give me anything but that the hospital was close. The feeling of the intense pain is not something easy to remember, but I vividly remember telling the paramedic that giving birth naturally with no time to take something for the pain, hurt less then this.

In the hospital emergency room I found myself waiting for more then 2 hours for a first checkup by medical staff. During this wait the pain went up and down, high and low, and after those 2 hours my leg began feeling numb. I was worried about this but also happy for the lessening in pain. I asked the nurses from the front desk for something for the pain when one of them went passed me, but they said they were not allowed to give medication.

I was in immense pain, and I was alone, and I was feeling sorry for myself. I asked a women sitting close to me for help in filling up my water bottle. I was grateful for having my passport with me, and a battery bank and charger for my cell. These things were not in my daybag for most of the trip and they came in handy now with 12% battery in an Italian hospital.

At this point I was in touch with my husband via whatsapp. I cried silently as my husband told me that he hopes it is okay to fly with a new cast because he read that you’re not supposed to. At this stage pity really sank in and I wished I was not alone. I forced myself to find the silver lining, or half of it, and told myself that even in my home country, this experience would suck. That it was near midnight, that we have 3 young kids asleep at home and finding someone to be with them so my husband could come to the hospital with me, if I were home, would not have been easy either.

I was now thinking of logistics. I had a flight in the morning. I was sure my ankle was broken but that I would make the flight. I had only a few Euros on me as I finished almost all of my cash on the show ticket which I never got to see, sadly. I was far away from my hostel and I had no ride to the airport for the morning as my hostel was walking distance to the train station and I planned on walking.

So, with my powery bank, I downloaded a taxi app and set up payment via paypal, so I could get back to my hostel after I am done with the hospital. I found the contact details of the shuttle service which I arrived with from the airport. Luckily they answered at this late hour, and agreed to pick me up from my hostel in the morning. I was taken to a doctor, and after an examination to the x ray room. After another wait back to the doctor. Turns out my ankle was not broken, but it was badly sprained with a lot of ligament damage. The doctor bandaged my ankle and told me not to take the bandages off for a week and in one week to go see my orthopedic at home for further care. I was to put no weight on the ankle and walk with crutches. But, no crutches at the hospital. I made my way to the front desk in a wheelchair, wanting to pay the bill. I was pleasantly surprised that the lady at the front desk insisted it was free. I ordered a taxi with my app, it was probably 1 or 2 am. The taxi driver helped me in and out of his taxi, and I managed to make it to the room in my hostel with the night shift hostels staff help. I only had a couple of hours to sleep but I was so uncomfortable and in pain that I could not.

In the morning I upgraded my flight seat to extra leg room so i would be more comfortable. My hostel had a computer and printer for this which was convenient. I realized I still don’t have cash to pay the shuttle taxi for the upcoming ride to the airport. I contacted the company asking if I can pay them with paypal or credit card or bank transfer. They were very understanding and kind and said that my ride would be free.

In the Rome airport, the staff saw that I was struggling, using my trolley as a crutch. They took me to the diplomatic line and I made it to Israel tired and in pain, but I was okay.

It has been 6 months and a lot of physical therapy since that sprained ankle. It is still healing and might never fully recover, but it is a lot better now. My next trip is in one month to Amsterdam, and I can’t wait.

If anything, this experience had made me stronger and more confident in travelling alone. I know that you can miss a step in Rome or in your house. Waiting in the hospital for care sucks, alone or not, and somethings you just have to get through things, no matter the location or the company you are with. Every single person I had to ask for help on that night was kind and helpful, which is another good lesson in life. People, in general, want to help, and you will be ok and overcome. I can look back on that night in Rome and be proud of myself that I was able to pull myself together and look for solutions to my situation. It is okay to cry, to feel mad and upset, but you will find a way to make things better for yourself.

That experience is something I can look back on and feel courageous about.

For me, solo travelling enables me to be brave, courageous, adventurous and try new experiences that I don’t have the time or courage to try alone at home. It gives me some free time to breathe from my hectic daily life. It helps me remember who I am and reinvent myself time and time again. It gives my husband the chance to be a full time dad for a few days and see that he copes great. It makes my children proud of me knowing that their mom takes time for herself and loves traveling the world.

If these things speak to you, I recommend you consider taking a solo trip of your own. It can be near or far, long or short. I think it will be empowering and enjoyable to you, and I am sure you will find your courage on that trip.

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This is a terrible and beautiful story at the same time. It shows the strength that you have to continue and to make it home safely even after suffering great pain. Awesome post @Hadasul and well done for coping with a horrible situation and making everything happen to get home and I’m so glad that so many people gave you a helping hand along the way.

Paul

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ping @vvbellur a post from a kindred spirit for you to read

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Thanks @PaulPavlinovich !

Luckily this experience is now catalogued in my head as a positive one. I was humbled by the generosity and kindness of strangers.

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Hi@Hadasul

Your story touched me. Thanks for the description with the photo.Keep going.

Best.

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that is kind of you to say @shantanu-kaizen , thank you!

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What an experience! Hope you had a warm welcome at the airport on arrival, @Hadasul ! I love travelling alone and such unexpected events are like survival lessons. Did you meet understanding among the healthcare staff and did you happen to have any troubles being a tourist in their country?

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Those are great questions @FlameFox .

I did meet understanding medical staff. At first I was upset that I wasn’t giving pain killers for a long time but I assume that has to do with the law of such manners in each country.

In Israel I know I would have been checked earlier by a nurse but perhaps waited even longer until I got to the doctor. The doctor was very kind and turned out to be correct in his diagnostics, and he knew English well enough to communicate with me.

I was really pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to pay for the ambulance or care I received at the emergency room. I double checked this with the local staff at my hostel because it seemed too good to be true, and they said that simple things like this are free of charge, even for tourists.

Overall the experience was a “good” medical emergency :slight_smile:

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That’s a positive outcome indeed, @Hadasul . You got lucky with the healthcare within the destination, I’d say. Some countries aren’t that … developed to cover the foreigners expenses. Am I right guessing you weren’t covered by travel insurance or something like that as well?

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I was covered by a simple travelers insurance, but it was nice not to have to deal with the bureaucracy of getting the payment back from the insurance company. In Israel, credit card companies offer free travelers insurance for short trips. @FlameFox

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Thanks for sharing your solo travel experiences @Hadasul ! I too am a big proponent of solo travel. It enables me to connect more closely to the locals and other travellers I encounter. I feel like when others know you’re traveling on your own, they are more open to get to know you and share their stories too!

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Yes, @CharmN ! I notice that about myself as well. I start the trip in a feeling like I could enjoy some alone time, but really quickly find myself participating in local activities and chatting away :slight_smile:

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@Hadasul WHAT A HISTORY! nearly as any Odyssey from the Roman Mythology tales…

The think make me most happy, it is all the ANGELS you got around helping and protecting you, like the young guy and the nurse, between others.

I like to travel alone, at my pace, but its fun to travel with friends also, probably you don’t ficus in your trips goals as much as you would like but sometimes this friends add extra adventure to your trip. Recently I went to a coast walk with friends and they found a nice beach with caves that probably I could never explore, and the cave was very handly because It began to rain, lol

Insurance travelling abroad is a MUST, and I always keep some money hidden for emergencies. Also you can find on internet clubs for “solo” travellers whit advices or section to team with other solo travellers.

Good luck in your next adventure @Hadasul , and thank you for sharing this history

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That was my next question, actually, @Hadasul . As a patient, dealing with documents is last thing you’d like to think of, so I was wondering if you had to deal with side stuff. You covered in the comment yourself. :slight_smile:

I am really, really happy that you’ve remained positive and got as much help as possible without the obligation to give a shout to your embassy. Speaks great about the destination!

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wonderful post @Hadasul

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@Johnny11 Yes, travelling with friends is fun and allows for different experiences. I have learned from this experience to always have some extra cash on me, it would have been one less thing to take care of in that complex situation.

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Thanks @mdimran0809 . I feel like sharing the hard times is important too and gives a more real picture of solo travelling.

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Thanks @PaulPavlinovich for tagging me.

@Hadasul What an experience this was… may i say this is every solo travellers (one of the) worst nightmares!
I was literally praying as I was reading…“Oh God…please let it not be bad”. I am so glad that you made it to the airport. Indeed, these kind of experiences makes one stronger and more confident. And you also see there are so many kind people who will get you through the situation. I am excited about your next trip!

Happy Travels!

Cheers!

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@Hadasul get past, you’ve survived a great adventure

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Thank you for sharing @Hadasul
Keep up to the amazing photo and informative post.

Best Regards
Rezgar

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