The loneliness of the long distance traveler

I didn't choose to holiday in Thailand on my own. I was supposed to meet a friend from England, but the friend canceled at the last minute & I was left with a return flight to Bangkok & 2 weeks to fill alone.

It might seem strange that I was apprehensive about holidaying alone, after all I went to Indonesia alone. But in Indonesia I have my work, I have a year in which to make friends, & I have Zoe (although I didn't know that before I set off). I fly home (to Indonesia that is) tomorrow, so how did I find it?

On the whole it was great – a liberating experience from which I have learned a lot. The lack of compromise has been the best & the worst part. I have been able to do what I want, when I want. But I do wonder what I missed out on by not having someone else to suggest I try something or somewhere different. Admittedly there were also times when it was a bit lonely. It was strange being invisible to waiters & bar staff after being so harassed in Indonesia. I blamed the invisibility on being on my own (smaller bill, less tip etc.) but it may just be the Thai culture.

I can't actually say much about Thai culture because I've spent the majority of my time on tourist centered islands surrounded by Westerners (guess I haven't seen the 'real' Thailand!). But maybe I have learned something about Western culture instead (or at least those Westerners who like to leave the West). Everyone I have met has been really friendly – maybe not friends for life, but certainly a range of interesting people with an interest in life. And you can't ask for more than that.