It is so nice to meet people en route who are interested in what I am doing. This morning it was the guy at the entrance to Metz campsite, tonight it is my neighbours on the site here in Dabo. They were heading back to southern Germany (near Heidelberg) after a few days in France. Michael was infectiously enthusiastic & enjoyed his red wine; he should be a teacher. They promised to look me up when they got home and send a message, so if you are reading this Michael & Jeanete, say hello! I liked the name of your camper van – Crazy White Elephant ๐
Categories: Cycling
Hello Andrew,
iยดve been very pleased to meet you.
The encounter with you were very impressed and we have often thought of you. (Especially if it went uphill, or if it started to rain)
Now weยดre back at home and locking for the fotos from our journey. Have yout got an email-Adress for the “places Andrew hasยดnt seen”-Fotos?
We hope that youยดre well and we’ll keep our fingers crossed
or as we say in german – Wir Drรผcken Dir die Daumen !
We look forward to hearing from you.
Michael & Janet
Hi Michael & Janet
It was a delight meeting you too! you are the Lind of people we lone travellers love to meet. You can send the pictures to my email at apsykes@hotmail.com .
Look forward to seeing them!
Schuss
Andrew
Unsurprisingly I have a theory about this one…
See if on your travels it rings true and report back.
Here goes..
The further away from a city or large town you get the more approchable you become.
Living in the country, as I do, it is mightily rude not to at least acknowledge anybody you meet.
I found it hard cycling through Edinburgh the other week when every cyclist up until then had acknowleged me on the road and as soon as I got to the city they all blanked my hellos and waves (except the odd tourist coming through the other way).
The best company is in the smallest of campsites in the smallest of villages.
Whilst back packing around the world I noticed a similar effect in the difference between city hostals and the ones in the middle of nowhere.
I put it down to the in built social ability to only form social relationships with a maximum of 70 people.
Traveling alone evokes about twice the interest as travelling with someone, common ground is met half as easily.
Even to the point that in Mull the other week a French guy with no English at all struck up a half hour conversation-come-mime with me (my french is merd ), Same fellow I wouldn’t have known to be french in a city.
Your theory stands up in practice!