By Cyndy Slovak-Barton

Traveling alone is never easy for a woman. I do that a lot of travelling these days, going to meetings, to conventions, to attend workshops, because of my job. Every time I learn something about myself.

I enjoy the time. It is a way to meet new people – and to push my limits.

I used to fear time alone. Now I enjoy it. I was a true introvert as a child and made a decision to change when I left for college. 

It is only in recent years that I have made the jump to go it alone. It’s not that I don’t enjoy traveling with my husband and children. When you travel with others, there is always security, a feeling that someone’s got your back. Being alone and depending on yourself to get things done is quite different. 

I flew home Monday, after spending many days at the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors convention in Durango, Colorado. What a joy. I met journalists from all over the United States, Scotland and Australia. I felt comfortable with all those attending – all journalists – and I want to attend upcoming conventions if the time and finances allow me another opportunity.

But the start of the trip was foreboding. Sitting on the tarmac at the Austin airport for a hour – because of bad weather elsewhere – after the plane was an hour late getting to Austin put me several hours behind on the entire trip. Getting to Albuquerque after expected, almost not getting my car, put me driving through the mountains alone in the wee hours of the night. 

Along the way, I found people willing to help. Walking into a hotel late at night and getting a smile from the clerk as he checked me in, and then offering me a beer from the “stash” was a nice treat.

Once in Durango, the adventures continued – a train trip to Silverton, meeting almost 100 new people, all excited about finding their old friends and making new ones, getting my dorm room (yes, the conventions are set at universities to emphasize the importance of new learning), and meeting my roommate. Wow, I felt like I was in college again.

What did this give me? These trips have made me stronger, more confident. I don’t and I won’t take a putdown from any man. The one who made a rude comment along the many detours on the trip? I just stared him down. He backed off quickly.

Maybe when you get to an age when you think you know your limitations and decide to push beyond them is where I am right now. I’m willing to try new things, take on new challenges. Being more confident in myself.

It is something I wish I could pass on to my daughter, who has no problems taking down someone who blocks her way, and to my daughter-in-law, who doesn’t take bull — from anyone. 

I learned it later in life; they already know it. I’m just glad I learned it in time to feel comfortable.

Now, about that 2016 trip to the ISWNE convention in Australia. That’s going to be a fun one.

csb@haysfreepress.com