Jan-2015
The friend request for travelers
A new local friend – Miauw!
Wherever you go, you always have to start all over. Like a brand new day. A while ago I realized that at whatever place I decide to make my home for the next following days, weeks, months or who knows, even years, I need to make a new impression and receive loads of inputs. Wherever you travel to, you always meet strangers and these strangers become friends or even lovers and especially some become like family. Amazing thing, isn’t it?
Hello and goodbye
As I reach my new destination my heart’s on fire. Meeting new, amazing and lovely people and missing those who I just left behind with the thought in my head of those I will have to miss in a few days since they might just be here for a bit. I find it truly incredible how close you can get with someone in a few days and how well you get to know each other. Or think you know each other. That’s where I come to the conclusion that whenever you start living in a new village or city you hang out with so many new people, that you don’t create enough time to really get to know someone. Meaning that after a few more encounters you’ll decide and basically choose who you would like to really have close in this period of your life at your new (temporarily) home.
I usually stay at non-touristy destinations, but still many travelers cross my path. However, at the moment I am at a winter sport destination in Italy, where everyone visits for a week of skiing/snowboarding and then goes back home – wherever that may be. Whenever I meet a fellow traveler whose company is excellent I mostly kind of freeze on the fact that they will leave again, while I will stay and hang around. It’s not like a feeling of being left behind or something. Not at all. However, I do find it interesting that you can create such a bond with someone over such a short period and then leave. Maybe you only even see each other twice. The linkage is there. And the Facebook friend request has been sent.
The Social Network
I remember that until when I was about 16 years old I always had to write down e-mail addresses and actual home addresses to send a postcard or something like this after a holiday-goodbye. Nowadays when you meet new friends and wish to keep in touch there’s, and thank ‘god’ for that, Facebook! Yes! How I love the Social Media since it actually keeps me social with long-distance friends. Same thing goes for WhatsApp by the way. Don’t you just love the voice notes?
Like-minded people
What I probably feel is the most excellent thing about friendships at new destinations is that the people you meet are usually like-minded people who differ from the norm and have the same kind of crazy and unique plans you have that makes you feel like you’re not so weird at all. Others might try to convince you to set course for the steady life, while like-minded people you meet along the road will support your excellent lifestyle. Another great thing is that paths can cross more often than you’d expect and the people you meet can be palls for life who will always have your back.
Send by a friend
The translation: The simple fact that we have met, has made me happy, at least to me. And I’ll be happy as long as I’ll have the pleasure of your company, so be 10 minutes, two years, or thirty years…
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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