Solo travel can be daunting task. It’s normal to worry about security and loneliness. And though, between long stretches in the car and solo wanders through foreign cities, I spent a lot of time on my own over the past weeks, I never felt lonely.
From the girls who fed me my first night in Reykjavik and sweet Marguerite who came on a day trip with me in Myvatn, to Richard who chatted with me at the Vienna Opera and Jonas who explored Fez with me, I’ve found friends in many of the people who I’ve met on my travels. Being alone means striking up a conversation with people you might not chat with if you had a companion. You exchange stories, recommendations, life advice. I was surprised by the different wisdom and perspective offered by those I met.
It takes courage, but strike up a conversation and locals-turned-friends will laugh with you as you attempt to learn a few words in their language. They’ll teach you tricks that aren’t in guidebooks (like how to successfully get the Icelandic horses to come over to you). Fellow travelers are on the same team as you, even if you’ve never met before, like the hilarious Israeli woman that I keep running into at hostels in Iceland who gave me milk to make my instant mashed potatoes less revolting or the Taiwanese couple that fed me when I was out of food.
It’s intimidating striking up conversation with someone that you’ve never met before, but chances are, they’re as intimidated as you are and just need to be encouraged. So ask them where they’re from, where they’re going (those are great conversation starters) and get chatting!
Quick guide to making friends:
- Stay in hostels
- Hang out in hostel common areas (without headphones in)
- Cook in a hostel
- Reach out to any connections you might have with a local (a friend’s friend’s brother’s girlfriend?)
- Couchsurf!
- Smile and just say “hi,” it worked for me!
Hostel friends I made in Tangier, Morocco
