I fled Russia a few months ago, when the very existence of queer people became de facto illegal (extremist even). Before then I only ever traveled beyond the border two, maybe three times. This is my longest, and hardest, (mis)adventure so far. Being a refugee hasn't been easy, but I firmly believe I *will* return home one day. After all, fascist regimes never last, and Putin is not immortal. Your comic made me cry in a very healing way. Thank you for inadvertently reminding me that the last few years of my life aren't just a tragedy. They're a journey, too. Here's to coming home, whenever that may be <3
I left home at 19 and ended up in California. Two years later I was living in Sussex, south of London. Being alone is scary and empowering. You get to test all those assumptions that piled up in your head - and find that 99% of them are wrong. It's liberating. Did I mention it's scary too. Great post. Cheers.
This sounds like such a nice and enlightening trip! A trip like this up the western coast has been a dream of mine for a while, but I'm nowhere near financially secure enough for it. Hopefully one day.
Learning to "be a little uncomfortable" in a world with many fears limits people's potential to become their very best. I truly enjoy reading this post and the art. Thank you
You took the Coast Starlight--which means you passed through Klamath Falls, Oregon, where my family and I live! (We have a little Amtrak station on the Coast Starlight line.) We're all big fans of your work, so I can't wait to tell them :). Lovely reflection, as always. Thanks for all you do!
I’ve done a solo trip before and it was eye opening! Coming from a family of 7 I never really had a chance to do things on my own. In that trip I even went whale watching on my own. I highly recommend people doing it because we all should be comfortable in our own time and space like that. I have been thinking about taking the Amtrak Starlight trip and now I am definitely thinking more about booking it.
I took an Amtrack up to Northern California the summer I graduated high school. I went alone to visit a friend who had moved from our little SoCal city.
I felt so free, and curious about everything. I'm old comparatively, and tired now, and SO SO grateful I have nostalgic memories to warm my heart. Trips to nowhere and everywhere have a way of shaping who we are 🌻
I hope you can continue traveling as much as possible for fun as well as work!
Solo travel is one of my favorite things to do. I took my first trip to Boston a few years ago and I’m planning to do another solo birthday trip next year to the east coast again. I’ve been looking at taking the Amtrak to Seattle too! Definitely a bucket list travel goal for me
I love this! I was so surprised when the Amtrak Coast Starlight detail popped up. I looked at that earlier this year (though from SF up) .... I would so like to do that sometime..... and I need to prove to myself I can do something like this (similar to your line of thought). Wonderfully illustrated.
I love everything about this comic and how it evokes the vibe of solo travels SO well. It reminds me of several concert trips i always did solo (mostly before covid), even to other countries (hello from Europe). I miss it so much, can't wait to make my way to a Chappell Roan concert this summer!
I fled Russia a few months ago, when the very existence of queer people became de facto illegal (extremist even). Before then I only ever traveled beyond the border two, maybe three times. This is my longest, and hardest, (mis)adventure so far. Being a refugee hasn't been easy, but I firmly believe I *will* return home one day. After all, fascist regimes never last, and Putin is not immortal. Your comic made me cry in a very healing way. Thank you for inadvertently reminding me that the last few years of my life aren't just a tragedy. They're a journey, too. Here's to coming home, whenever that may be <3
I left home at 19 and ended up in California. Two years later I was living in Sussex, south of London. Being alone is scary and empowering. You get to test all those assumptions that piled up in your head - and find that 99% of them are wrong. It's liberating. Did I mention it's scary too. Great post. Cheers.
Reminds me of one of my fave quotes of all time, from Vonnegut: “Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from god”
Seattle says it was glad to have you! Love the image of Mt. Tahoma.
This sounds like such a nice and enlightening trip! A trip like this up the western coast has been a dream of mine for a while, but I'm nowhere near financially secure enough for it. Hopefully one day.
Learning to "be a little uncomfortable" in a world with many fears limits people's potential to become their very best. I truly enjoy reading this post and the art. Thank you
You took the Coast Starlight--which means you passed through Klamath Falls, Oregon, where my family and I live! (We have a little Amtrak station on the Coast Starlight line.) We're all big fans of your work, so I can't wait to tell them :). Lovely reflection, as always. Thanks for all you do!
I’ve done a solo trip before and it was eye opening! Coming from a family of 7 I never really had a chance to do things on my own. In that trip I even went whale watching on my own. I highly recommend people doing it because we all should be comfortable in our own time and space like that. I have been thinking about taking the Amtrak Starlight trip and now I am definitely thinking more about booking it.
Thanks for sharing an amazing story. :)
This is wonderful.
Congratulations on the trip and sightseeing.
I hope you had the best time 💜
I took an Amtrack up to Northern California the summer I graduated high school. I went alone to visit a friend who had moved from our little SoCal city.
I felt so free, and curious about everything. I'm old comparatively, and tired now, and SO SO grateful I have nostalgic memories to warm my heart. Trips to nowhere and everywhere have a way of shaping who we are 🌻
I hope you can continue traveling as much as possible for fun as well as work!
So so beautiful ❤️
🥲 I gotta go on a trip
Solo travel is one of my favorite things to do. I took my first trip to Boston a few years ago and I’m planning to do another solo birthday trip next year to the east coast again. I’ve been looking at taking the Amtrak to Seattle too! Definitely a bucket list travel goal for me
I love this! I was so surprised when the Amtrak Coast Starlight detail popped up. I looked at that earlier this year (though from SF up) .... I would so like to do that sometime..... and I need to prove to myself I can do something like this (similar to your line of thought). Wonderfully illustrated.
I love everything about this comic and how it evokes the vibe of solo travels SO well. It reminds me of several concert trips i always did solo (mostly before covid), even to other countries (hello from Europe). I miss it so much, can't wait to make my way to a Chappell Roan concert this summer!
btw the concert was this week and I absolutely loved both the event and the whole travel experience, 100% worth it