Hi everyone, hope your adventures are going great! I’m (33M) currently backpacking Vietnam, a country I’ve wanted to visit for years! I’ve done a lot of solo travel before through SE Asia, the US, Europe, and I’ve been living + working abroad for the past 11 years in a number of countries.
What’s struck me on this trip is how hard it’s been to connect with other travellers. I see mostly couples but definitely some solo people, but in the past I’ve met loads of amazing folks, couples or otherwise who welcomed me in and made amazing shared experiences together.
This time around in finding eye contact is often avoided amongst us, hostel conversations die out as quick as I've started them and I haven’t had many of those spontaneous friendships I treasure from this experience.
I'm having a great time, but its sure made this the most solitary trip I’ve ever taken (it's been a while since I hauled around like this (2011-2014). I’m wondering if something has changed in the travel culture, it's me, or if I’m just on a quieter run. I will say, people are looking a little glum.
Has anyone else felt this?
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