BootsnAll Travel Community

Im on my first long distance trip - South America, by bike -have been here 5 weeks and have hardly met anyone. What gives?

I can accept when im on the bike, or in high mountain towns im not going to meet like minds. However, in a place like Cuzco, or La Paz.. i see people i wouldn´t mind hangin´out with, but an aprehensive about starting a conversation.

How do ya´ll make friends on the road? Im getting lonely!

Keep in mind that most people are in the same situation as yourself: they want to meet people too. This is why dorm hostels are so good; you can't help but meet people.

The other thing to do is share your alcohol.

damn, i was afraid you would say that. I do not like drinking, and would prefere to meet people without drinking... In Cuzco, everyone i met at the bar seemed to try to hit me up for sips or beers after a little small talk..

NOT COOL!

I wish i could just meet other solo travellers and say "hey, what are you doing today, wanna check out so and so with me?"

But i dont quite have that much pazzaz..

A smile helps in the process. If you see a huge bunch of people its tough to break that barrier as they already have enough people in the group but couples, other solo travelers are approachable. Especially couples who sometimes feel excluded because they are not traveling solo.

Ask to borrow a guide book or ask a question and usually that starts a conversation.

In common rooms in a dorm just say hello to folks there and in general that breaks the ice.Just a causal non desperate hello goes a long way.

If hostels are having a pizza nite or game nite participate in those.

All of the hostals ive been to have been empty or with no common room, cept. the 1st night i arrived in Cuzco!

Ive actually been hoping to find a Canadian style HI where its easy to meet others..

¨sigh¨ all in good time i suppose..

You might be traveling off season (I don't know) which limits your chances of meeting up. I know where I"m going, I'll be spending lots of time alone - it's part of the journey.


You also have created the unfortunate situation of bike riding. When traveling on mass transit/public transit, you can sometimes start conversations that go beyond just that.

Another place is at tourist 'hot spots'. Start conversations with people who look like they understand your language.

quote:

In Cuzco, everyone i met at the bar seemed to try to hit me up for sips or beers after a little small talk

I've never found a bar to be the best place to start up casual friendships, but I've never heard of other travelers who do what you mention.



You can go online and register for couch surfing and see if anyone there would like to share a cup of coffee or some conversation.

Buena Suerte,
kendrick

warmshowers.org

One of the other Bootie here mentioned this org which is for Bikers. Maybe you can find others traveling in the area or bike enthu's who will welcome you in their area.

PDU: Traveling by bike excludes you from a few places where you meet other travelers, per example buses. I've met a lot of people on bus stations, in buses, etc...then ended up sharing a cab at the destiantion (and later rooms, sightseeing, etc.) As a cyclist, it's a bit more difficult. Also, there are few camping sites around South America - that's a place I've met many people while cycling.

Not drinking...yeah...it's a socializing drug. You'll find a lot of people drinking in SA. (Not surprisingly, if you can get premium rum for very little money.)

An option that you obviously have is going on tours. (Autch, did I just say that??? I'll deny everything if you EVER bring this up!) Whether that be city sightseeing tours...or hiking...or even cycling for you.

As for WarmShowers.org - that is certainly a way to have a local place to stay. But mostly that will be will locals...once in a while with expats. It's not exactly what you're looking for, I'd say. Plus, there are very few hosts around South America. Might still be a good idea. We have signed up for our upcoming trip to Asia.

Meeting people you get along with can be difficult while traveling... especially if you're not overly social like me. If you're in a touristy area, you might have better luck. I usually meet people by asking questions about areas or hotels. And, as someone mentioned before, traveling by bus or train helps (made a few friends that way).

Hope you find some people soon.

quote:

Originally posted by PDU:
damn, i was afraid you would say that. I do not like drinking, and would prefere to meet people without drinking... In Cuzco, everyone i met at the bar seemed to try to hit me up for sips or beers after a little small talk..

NOT COOL!

I wish i could just meet other solo travellers and say "hey, what are you doing today, wanna check out so and so with me?"

But i dont quite have that much pazzaz..

Drinking (even little sips) is a surefire way to meet and talk to people. It's called social drinking. I dislike alcohol too, but to mingle well we all have to make sacrifices.

We are also cyclists and have found we meet most people at hostels. If the one you are at is empty, check around - I am quite certain there are a few in Cuzco that have quite a few travelers hanging around. Just a simple "hello" will go a long way.

I can't wait to get down there - we're leaving in TWO WEEKS!!!! (Yes - it'll be a while before we make it... We're starting in Alaska, but we'll get there!!)

Well...I am also an ultra-shy person (though you may not feel that way about me from the messages I left here ). I do find hostels are the best places to meet people. Mainly other fellow travelers, but also local people who work at the hostels (usually college students who speak decent English). And usually smaller (homier) the hostel, the easier it is to meet people there. I met some interesting people and had some nice chat when traveling around the Balkans, but hardly met (having chances to chat with) anyone in hostels in much bigger cities like London.

I don't know that much about hostels in Peru and Ecuador since I was staying in hotels there. I was staying at campsites when I traveled in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil (okay, I was with an "adventure" overland truck, don't laugh at me for that, I'm just lazy!). I do feel campsite is a good place to meet people (and even locals who camp!). So you can try that later on your trip....

Hope this helps...

Sharing something (alcohol, as static said) helps.
Needing help or support too. That's how I met my local gf in Bolivia. She helped me to get a bus ticket on a day when busses officially didn't run, and I helped her to carry her big suitcase. Then we had a nice week together, despite serious language barrier.
Going on tours with at least one or two nights and meals together, is another way to find likeminded people.

http://www.travbuddy.com ?

All I have to do is stand in front of a selection of eating places and look like I can't decide which one to choose. The first person to reel me in is likely to be the most fun so I just run with it!!