Dailyprompt-2908
What’s the best way to meet new people while traveling?
For me, the best way is probably not to try too hard.
I’m an introvert.
I’m not going to walk into a crowded room and announce:
“HELLO EVERYONE! I’M MAGGIE. WHO WANTS TO BE MY NEW FRIEND?”
🤣🤣🤣
I’d probably turn around and leave before Maggie finished introducing Maggie.
But travelling naturally puts you in situations where you meet people.
One of my favourite ways to explore somewhere new is simply to walk.
Get away from the most touristy streets occasionally.
Find the cafés and little restaurants where the locals go.
Sit down.
Order something.
And watch everyday life happening around you.
That’s often where conversations begin.
You ask someone what’s good on the menu.
Someone asks where you’re from.
You need directions.
You comment on something happening nearby.
And suddenly you’re talking.
Food is particularly good at bringing people together.
I’ve always thought that if you want to understand somewhere, eat where the locals eat.
Not only will you often find wonderful food, you’ll meet the people who actually live there.
Markets are another great place.
Small shops.
Local festivals.
Museums.
Walking tours.
Anywhere people naturally gather around something they share an interest in.
And you don’t necessarily need to speak the same language perfectly.
A smile, a few words, pointing, gestures and a good sense of humour can get you surprisingly far.
I’ve lived in situations where my Spanish wasn’t good enough for the conversation I was attempting…
and somehow we still understood each other. 😂
Sometimes the funniest conversations happen because nobody involved has quite enough vocabulary.
I also think animals are brilliant conversation starters.
Walk anywhere with a dog and suddenly complete strangers who wouldn’t normally speak to each other are discussing breeds, names, ages and personalities.
Although if I travelled with Bella, the conversation might begin with:
“Excuse me, is this your shoe?”
“Yes.”
“My dog has it.”
🤣
But perhaps the most important thing is simply to be open.
You don’t have to force friendships.
You don’t have to become an extrovert.
Just look up from your phone occasionally.
Smile.
Ask a question.
Accept the little opportunities for conversation that appear along the way.
Some people you’ll speak to for five minutes and never see again.
Others might become friends you remember for years.
And sometimes those unexpected encounters become as memorable as the places you travelled to see.
💜
With love, coffee, poetry, and stardust,
— Maggie The Afterlove Voice 💫
DJ Maggie in the house
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-original-mix
https://ditto.fm/arena-51-the-calima-conspiracy-alien-invasion-remix
https://ditto.fm/silenced-but-not-broken
My song “Silenced but not broken” Lyric video.
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