QUIET TIME

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GO ON A BUSINESS TRIP WITHOUT EVER SPEAKING TO ANOTHER PERSON?

When Booking.com challenged me to see how far I could travel without speaking to a soul, I initially wondered if I was up to the task. I had two basic challenges to face: a) I am technologically stunted and b) I am, well, chatty. “You must be kidding,” responded a friend when I mentioned the theme of the article. “You?!”

But in the interests of you, dear biz travellers — who are both more tech literate and less enamoured with the joy of being on the road — I took on the challenge. Booking.com flew me Toronto to Amsterdam return for a few days.

I started by downloading the Uber app, which I had never used. I confess to a soft spot for the taxi drivers of Toronto, whose business (like mine) has been devastated by the digital economy.

“How do I text Uber?” I asked my 26-year-old daughter. She looked at me as if I were something she’d accidentally stepped on. “Oh mom, you don’t text Uber,” she said. “It’s an app.”

Well, I knew that! I just needed help getting it downloaded. Fortunately, my girl figured it all out for me. That’s what grown children who still live in your house are for, isn’t it?

So on the day of my departure, I pulled out my phone and set up an Uber ride to Pearson International. The only problem? Uber doesn’t let you specify which terminal you’re headed to, so I had to answer the driver when he asked. And then it seemed a little churlish not to share pleasantries with him. See, already this was getting to be a tough task.

Navigating the airport was simpler. I’d checked in to my Air Canada flight online the night before and opted to print off my boarding pass on the machines at the airport — a pain-free process that requires no communication.

Ditto for negotiating the security lineup. As long as you dump your laptop in a bin, as well as a clear plastic bag with any of your liquids or gels, you don’t really have to talk. But you know all this; it’s hardly the Jetsons.

Once on board, I settled in with a book (yep, a paper version) and barely spoke a word, other than to specify chicken over pasta. It helped that the family sitting beside me spoke Spanish.

I attempted to use Uber again to get to my hotel once I arrived in Amsterdam, but I couldn’t get an internet connection at Schipol airport. I had to break down and ask at the information centre how to get to my hotel.

Turns out it was just a seven-minute train ride from the airport. I paid for a ticket with my credit card at the machine (no interaction) and off I went to the tech-forward Citizen M hotel in the heart of the city’s business district.

The check-in desk consists of a row of computers into which you plug in your name, email address or booking confirmation number and, voila, you get an overview of your booking and a choice of room assignments.

You can add breakfast or late checkout and then make your own key. It all takes about two minutes.

I have to say, I liked that. By this time, I just wanted to get into my room fast and take a shower. I also loved being able to control everything in my room with the iPad provided: lights, temperature, blinds and TV or music. All was simple and intuitive, even for me.

I stuck with the wordless theme at Sumo Sushi (three locations in Amsterdam), where I ordered — with an iPad — from the all-you-caneat sushi menu. And I fed some coins into the automat wall of fast-food faves at Febo. The kaassoufflé (deepfried gouda) was surprisingly tasty.

I also used Booking Experiences (currently available in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Dubai) to pay for tours and trips with a bar code linked to my credit card, thereby avoiding lineups and further interaction. Part of the Booking.com app, it is powered by artificial intelligence so it can learn your preferences over time and curate experiences especially for you.

I supplemented that with an Amsterdam card that got me on public transport and into multiple small museums free when swiped. At the Rijksmuseum, I was even able to download a free tour to my phone. No tour guide needed.

I will say this, though: living life with minimal human contact wears thin after a while. After five days of virtual silence (other than interactions with the friendly hotel staff) I’d had enough. I talked the ear off of my seatmate all the way back home on the plane (thank you, Pina!).

In short then, it is certainly possible to travel a long way without speaking much. But really, why would you want to? Camilla Cornell is a business writer and intrepid traveller, who nonetheless appreciates a little comfort when away from home.