Alone but Not Lonely Traveling Solo

I enjoyed Susan Spano’s Her World column about women eating alone (“Two Literary Mentors Offer Lessons on the Strength to Be Found in Solitude,” July 22). Recently I was at a resort in the Canary Islands for a week before joining my husband in the Czech Republic. I too was amused and interested at others’ reactions as I entered the dining room. I was neither rejected nor accepted but more suspected, a curiosity because I was the only American and “lone” woman. It was an empowering experience, and I enjoyed it.

I noticed that the smaller tables were always shoved against the wall, which is where I didn’t want to be, so I always chose a table for four in the middle of the room just to see what would happen. Not once did I have companions for dinner, yet the staff was attentive and couldn’t have been nicer.

JUDITH MAERTZ

Anaheim

I am still perplexed about what problems exist for a woman traveling or eating solo. I am a woman of 58 who has been traveling and dining alone much of her life.

There is that wonderful sense of freedom your article mentioned. There are several other perks. I meet new and interesting friends and receive special treatment from wait and hotel staff. (I am a good tipper.) The best part of traveling solo: I do not have to wait for anyone to start my day.

My travels have included Spain, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii and the Bahamas as well as local trips, such as Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Laguna and San Francisco.

EVE HOLMES

Burbank