The Only Downside of Travelling They Didn't Tell You About.
It’s the part they don’t tell you about…
We’ve all been there. I’ve been there countless times.
There you are having the best time with your new found friends in a foreign land.
You’ve met them over a pint of beer, on a walking tour, or in the hostel lobby.
If you met these people back home they would probably become some of your closest friends.
You’ve known them for a few days, a few hours, or even a few minutes, but you’re exploring cites together, getting drunk together, and creating memories that you wont forget in a jiffy.
You’re experiencing the best aspect of travelling; being completely free and sharing it with the coolest people you could wish for.
Then its over.
Just like that.
You’re travelling onto Budapest and they’re going to Berlin.
You exchange numbers and add them of Facebook. However, deep down you know that unfortunately you’re probably never going to see them again. Your paths may cross in future. But for now, its goodbye
You feel empty.
No matter how much you have traveled, It’s the one part of it all that you cant quite get used to – and i don’t think you ever can.
It’s especially hard to say goodbye to travel friends because you’ve met in a moment where your completely free, exploring the world. You become fiends with them through a shared interest; travelling! You’re like minded people who identify with each other and its rare to find people with such similar interests but when you go travelling, pretty much everyone you meet shares these interests with you!
When travelling you throw caution to the wind and trust people straight away only knowing their name and what country they’re from – it’s a bit crazy.
Even though you don’t get used to these goodbyes, you come to terms with it and realize it’s part of travelling.
Travelling, and hostels especially, are like one big revolving door; when one awesome set of mates leave, another bunch will pop out of no where for you to have an awesome time with.
Its bitter sweet, but its the way it has to be, it’s also the best way for it to be. You’ve met these people, you’ve had the best of times together and you’ve said goodbye as the best of friends. Memories have been made that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
You’ve said your goodbyes for now.
However, you know that if you were to ever meet again…it would be like you saw each other yesterday.
37 Comments
LyndonX
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thewanderingbroski
Cheeerss mate!
The Year I Touched My Toes
At least there is Facebook, And then you never know…..you may see them again.
thewanderingbroski
Yes it would be great if you can 🙂
dray0308
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often and commented:
Another quality post from The Wandering Broski!
thewanderingbroski
One of my favourite ones I’ve written! Thanks!
dray0308
I love all of your content and travel photos but i especially liked this post. It resonated with me.
wheninmyjourneys
Absolutely true, we make friends out of total strangers.
thewanderingbroski
We sure do, you have to try your hardest to stay in contact!
The Office Breakers
Hit the nail on the head! Very well written. But I like to think of it as a life lesson. Many struggle to say/accept goodbyes, and travel forces you to live in the moment and do just that!
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Mehg from TOB
thewanderingbroski
True, i think travelling solo makes it a tiny bit easier but you can never gest used to it!
Rookieexperiences
What’s worse is when you’ve had such a good time and you forget to add them on Facebook – next thing you know, you’re onto the next destination! ? Thanks for the like!
thewanderingbroski
Ah nightmare that’s where the Facebook stalking skills come in
George
I know what you mean very well. But if you meet again would it b the same? Its a question I often ask myself. Flaubert wrote that “It is always sad to leave a place to which one knows one will never return. Such are the melancolies du voyage: perhaps they are one of the most rewarding things about traveling” It’s about places certainly but maybe its the same about people?
thewanderingbroski
Reblogged this on The Wandering Broski and commented:
One of my favorites so far on this blogging journey…
IntrovertMatt
Thank you for the follow, I really appreciate it. I’ve actually read a couple of your blogs before but I’m only recently getting more into blogging, I actually love it now, I just wish I was better at it lol 🙂 I love this post though, I can relate to most of it, maybe the socialising not so much but still I meet some amazing people from around the world. I also love that you don’t use many “I”s in your blogs unlike me, I really need to start learning.
thewanderingbroski
Yes blogging is great! It’s all a learning process just keep posting and you’ll keep on learning bro!
lynchlines
These are the people that change the way we view the world, and the more people who meet others from other cultures, the more chances our world will have of surviving. Hey, have you traveled to Ireland? I’m going in July and am seeking great local spots in Dublin and Killarney.
kristinjoys
I always wanted and dream of having a blog like this. Of course, travelling around the world. But Im still a student so I just went on Philippine destinations near my place.
thewanderingbroski
Thanks! You can create a great blog! You just have be persistent 🙂 I’m heading Philippines later this year cant wait!
kristinjoys
Thanks!! Really? I know you’ll gonna enjoy your stay here. Where do you plan to go?
thewanderingbroski
Yes of course! Not quite sure where yet, probably flying into Manila then working my way down. Have fun!
littlebirdaroundtheworld
Love your post. This really hit home as I’ve had this experience over and over again, meeting amazing people and having to say goodbye too soon. However, with Facebook and some planning I’ve already managed to visit some of them or meet them in the most unlikely of places. It really is a small world!
thewanderingbroski
Glad you’ve managed to stay in contact! I have with a couple of friends to thanks to Facebook! Thanks for the comment!
Tarah Miller
This is a downside. Often I feel as though I meet people I connect with way more than over here in Australia. Thankfully I still keep in touch with a lot of them – but it’s all about making the genuine effort. It’s sad to see some friendships fade into the distance -T
thewanderingbroski
Thanks Tarah! I get what you mean, travellers just connect very well! Yep totally agree, if you want to see someone again you can 🙂
clara@expatpartnersurvival.com
I went travelling on a round the world trip back in the day (1998), waaaay before Facebook or other social media really took off, we only just had emails and a mobile phone was still a rarity. I met about a billion amazing people and actually managed to keep in touch with quite a few of them. One ended up being my flatmate in London – we now live on different continents but still keep in touch. I attended the wedding of another. Another became “the one that go away”. There is definitely something about travelling (especially solo) that bonds. Living overseas as an expat is similar, although it takes a bit longer to get to know people.
thewanderingbroski
That’s good to know! A lot of people are saying they’ve managed to stay in contact with travel buddies which is great!
GleyGley
Ooops, I forgot to say ‘thank you’ for liking my recent photo. And glad you stop by at my page. 🙂
thewanderingbroski
Veeeery late reply but thanks and no problem! lots of people are saying they stayed in contact and have met with people which is great!
GleyGley
I can relate…bitter sweet indeed. But you know, I make sure that I see them again when I go to their country or some of them contact me as well when they visit the Philippines. Although, I missed some of them last year because I was also travelling in other parts of the globe. Haha! It’s so nice to reminisce all the good-crazy-fun stuff you did with them. 🙂
letyoursoulwander
This reminded me of all those wonderful people that I have met while travelling – be it on trails or hostels or tours. I may never see them again in my life but they will remain special forever. It’s amazing how you just connect and think fondly of them for the rest of your life
lucyhb
So true. Thanks for the like & follow 😀
itchyfeet1
That is so true and you wish you would see them again someday.
thewanderingbroski
You never know, your paths may cross again 🙂
themissmcg
This is so true and so sad. I’ve been astounded at how many people I’ve really connected with these last four months travelling round Asia and I hope I’ll see some of them again, I really do. Well expressed!
thewanderingbroski
I hope you managed to stay in contact with them and had an awesome time in Asia! thanks for stopping by, happy blogging!