Lesson #1: If you must travel solo, travel with Abba. 10/10. HIGHLY recommend.
He knows all the best spots and all the right people. He knows the foods that would change your palate and the ones that would destroy the hotel toilet. Plus, your safety is always a hundred percent guaranteed, no matter what country you’re in.

Lesson #2: Never use Agoda unless there’s a knife to your throat. And even then, ask the person holding the knife if you can book directly with the property instead.
I have only used them twice and both times, the property could not find my reservation. It was costly and a waste of time.

Lesson #3: Never choose the window seat on a flight longer than 10 hours. Your legs will thank you and so will your seatmates.
Unless you’re a first class/business class babe… then does it really matter where you sit? You’re basically in a hotel that flies.

Lesson #4: Always take pictures at recognizable landmarks. It’s a silent flex. Like, “I was in this city but I don’t even have to say where because everyone knows that is the Burj Al Arab 😉”
Your Instagram account will thank you. And so will your globetrotter cred.

The secret to an unbothered travel pic: look away from the camera.

“Do activities that make you happy and comfortable.” ​

Lesson #5: Always carry a neck pillow for flights longer than 6 hours.
Again, refer to the caveat in Lesson 3. If you’re in first class/business class, you can arrange your useless hot towels around your neck for all I care.
And for my black queens with braids, for the love of God, include a bonnet or hairnet in your carry-on. What’s the point of trying to be cute when your seatmate is about to see you drool and/or hear you snore in like 4 hours?

Peep the guy behind me. Dead to the world!

Lesson #6: Take videos. Lots and lots of videos. Not just for the ‘gram. Though that doesn’t hurt, either. 😉
But trust me, months later, when you’re stuck in a place for one reason or the other, seeing yourself gallivanting in a foreign city will do wonders for your endorphins.

 Lesson #7: There is always more. More to see, more to experience, just more. Particularly, especially when you travel with Abba. By extension, this is how it is when you do life with Abba.
Yes, there’s nothing new under the sun, yet when you do life with Abba, every day is an adventure. There is always more to know, more to learn, more to experience.

“Just when you think you’ve seen all that a place has to offer, there is more.”

Other unsolicited tips (because why not?)
– Pick a TV show to binge while you’re traveling. It’s handy when you’re waiting. And you’ll be waiting a lot.
– Bring your study bible along. It helps keep you grounded in case air pockets decide to insert themselves along your flight path and your plane responds with a TikTok dance routine.
– Stay in the moment. Unless the moment sucks, then you have my permission to check out.
– Do activities that make you happy and comfortable. Nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone, but don’t make yourself miserable.
– A pack of chewing gum is the most important item in your bag. Yes, even more important than your passport.
– If you can, locate a travel bae*. You don’t even need to interact with them. Invent a dramatic backstory for your imaginary relationship and interpret everything they actions through the lens of the story. It’s fun. A little crazy, but still…fun.

Travel bae: someone you think is cute (or kinda cute) and you’ll probably see for an extended period of time.