So, I am saying there are these 'friends' out there to be made, but where do you go to find them?
- Your first point of departure of course! #The Airport. It could be at check-in, security, the waiting lounge, the plane, the restroom queue on the plane, the baggage collection on arrival or the bus out of the airport.
- Your accommodation! #Hostels are the best place to make friends. Look for the best hostels on webites like hostelbooker.com, hostelworld.com and booking.com. Be sure to read the reviews from other travellers and if you are wanting to make friends, look for key phrases like 'great place to meet people', 'lots of areas to chill out', 'great common room' and even 'awesome kitchen'...
- The #activities in your hostel are completely for your benefit. Walking tours, national park trips, pub crawls, trivia nights and cheap dinners are common at most good hostels. There are activities to suit everyone! Also look for this information in the hostel review.
- The city you are in! #Typical tourist attractions will be busy with travellers: Cathedrals, museums, parks, historical sights, popular cafes & bars, lookout points, national parks, libraries, cinemas and pretty much anywhere Lonely Planet recommends.
- Make use of #travel community organisations such as CouchSurfing.org, Meetup, belodged.com. These sites are designed to connect you with local people for accommodation, casual hangouts or travel advice. On CouchSurfing, there are groups you can join which post frequently on events, gatherings, festivals, day trips and rideshares happening in that area. I have used CouchSurfing to connect with people in a city before I arrive to get tips or meet up for a local introduction to the place.
- Plan your own #night out or sightseeing adventure and invite people from your accommodation. This is good for various reasons. You won't have to do an organised hostel tour (if thats not your style) and you can 'choose your own adventure'.
- If you are feeling lazy, #book an organised tour in your next destination with a tour group like Contiki, Intrepid or Gecko tours. These tour groups have many types of tours to suit all travel styles. Pick one that suits your personality and travel style (remember, camping tours exist!) and you will be sure to make friends along the way!
- I would like to just throw this one out there, but #peacocking for friends might also be worthy to consider. If I have learnt anything from people who dress in a flamboyant manner, they DO attract conversations. #Travel peacocking is not restricted to attire. I've begun friendships with boys with ukuleles, girls sketching drawings, rubik's cube masters and street painters. My most recent peacocking item was my Mbira- an instrument from Zimbabwe. When I played it, people became curious and it was an easy point of conversation. Pretty soon I had made a new friend!
- My final suggestion is for the kitchen- #cook your specialty dish and share it around. I met a girl in Morocco and hung with her for a day because she fed me. And she was nice. But food will always guarantee you a new friend. Tired and stingy travellers are everywhere.
#Most importantly, be open to conversations and don't be afraid to approach others and you will make friends in no time! The more practice you get, the easier it becomes.
Just be yourself!
- Your first point of departure of course! #The Airport. It could be at check-in, security, the waiting lounge, the plane, the restroom queue on the plane, the baggage collection on arrival or the bus out of the airport.
- Your accommodation! #Hostels are the best place to make friends. Look for the best hostels on webites like hostelbooker.com, hostelworld.com and booking.com. Be sure to read the reviews from other travellers and if you are wanting to make friends, look for key phrases like 'great place to meet people', 'lots of areas to chill out', 'great common room' and even 'awesome kitchen'...
- The #activities in your hostel are completely for your benefit. Walking tours, national park trips, pub crawls, trivia nights and cheap dinners are common at most good hostels. There are activities to suit everyone! Also look for this information in the hostel review.
- The city you are in! #Typical tourist attractions will be busy with travellers: Cathedrals, museums, parks, historical sights, popular cafes & bars, lookout points, national parks, libraries, cinemas and pretty much anywhere Lonely Planet recommends.
- Make use of #travel community organisations such as CouchSurfing.org, Meetup, belodged.com. These sites are designed to connect you with local people for accommodation, casual hangouts or travel advice. On CouchSurfing, there are groups you can join which post frequently on events, gatherings, festivals, day trips and rideshares happening in that area. I have used CouchSurfing to connect with people in a city before I arrive to get tips or meet up for a local introduction to the place.
- Plan your own #night out or sightseeing adventure and invite people from your accommodation. This is good for various reasons. You won't have to do an organised hostel tour (if thats not your style) and you can 'choose your own adventure'.
- If you are feeling lazy, #book an organised tour in your next destination with a tour group like Contiki, Intrepid or Gecko tours. These tour groups have many types of tours to suit all travel styles. Pick one that suits your personality and travel style (remember, camping tours exist!) and you will be sure to make friends along the way!
- I would like to just throw this one out there, but #peacocking for friends might also be worthy to consider. If I have learnt anything from people who dress in a flamboyant manner, they DO attract conversations. #Travel peacocking is not restricted to attire. I've begun friendships with boys with ukuleles, girls sketching drawings, rubik's cube masters and street painters. My most recent peacocking item was my Mbira- an instrument from Zimbabwe. When I played it, people became curious and it was an easy point of conversation. Pretty soon I had made a new friend!
- My final suggestion is for the kitchen- #cook your specialty dish and share it around. I met a girl in Morocco and hung with her for a day because she fed me. And she was nice. But food will always guarantee you a new friend. Tired and stingy travellers are everywhere.
#Most importantly, be open to conversations and don't be afraid to approach others and you will make friends in no time! The more practice you get, the easier it becomes.
Just be yourself!
My Mbira. Photo T.Bahr.V
Some friends I made in Borneo!
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