This was a wonderful read Merena! You addressed some very difficult issues, that others in similar situations may shy away from.

How your believed being an introvert would adversely affect your job prospects, and the enormous courage you showed. Turning up to an out of place setting like that for interview would've bothered me too. The feeling of vulnerability resonated. It was anything but like you anticipated and being on your own made you feel very wary. Maybe that's why you were successful, as they knew that it an unusual setting and you were cautious from the start.

This is a good trait to show and may have given you the edge with other applicants. If I was interviewing someone I would be more inclined to hire someone who showed justifiable caution rather than couldn't care less. It was perfectly understandable and they knew that. Interviews, without in unusual places, are nerve racking enough. It showed you had a healthy dose of skepticism.