No matter how much you like the person you with, there is no getting around the fact that traveling with a partner causes different sorts of strain than traveling alone.

Don't get me wrong - I am still very happy Dan is here - but over the last week I have realized how much I had gotten used to having my own place for everything, my own rhythm and schedule, and my own habits for keeping track of my things and staying healthy.

It's all sort of gone to hell since Dan showed up.

Not his fault, its just the nature of things, but since Dan joined me, things overall have been smoother, but I have oddly been more exhausted. It's been harder to blog, harder to think, and harder to find time to do all of the things that were keeping me sane on the journey.

So Dan's been in Europe for about a week, and today he wasn't feeling that great (those greasy Italian paninis can do a number on you) so I had lunch by myself today at a place by the beach. In some ways, it was so nice to be alone again. No need to communicate my thoughts, the ability to make snap decisions and act in the moment, it was all very relaxing.

I didn't even want to do anything cool, I just felt like I was able to absorb more of what was going on around me. I sat and talked with people around me, and people-watched, it was so nice. I am definitely glad to not be solo full time, but it's weird how even with your best friends, it's easier to take it all in if you have those moments alone to reflect.