I have been asked several times how I manage to endure my solo trips without anyone to talk to or hang out with. My simple answer to all such questions is I am never alone in any new place. I usually find a stranger to talk to, a group of hostellers to share a room with, or a warm family to share a meal with. But there was still the shuffle of leaves, the chirp of an odd bird, and always, the presence of God. How long can one sail alone or only with those one has already known?
Friendships are forged when you make yourself available to conversations. Trust a little, ask questions that help you get to know the person better, and also talk about your own self. Friendship is a two-way street. You must learn to give. Running together is a great way of making new friends! I know so many people who would love to have a lot of friends but are too shy to initiate the conversations. I personally find running an excellent way to connect with new people. You can find people with similar interests and get those conversations started!
You can also chat with other people joining the cuddll and plan for the meetup. Start by browsing through cuddlls based on the date, location or your interest. In the great White Rann of Kutch. A strange thing about our generation is how much we love to cling to our phones. The app market is full of silly dating apps that do very little to create trustworthy bonds and a lot to encourage casual flings, most of which only remain digital. Cuddll cuts through that clutter and keeps things clean.
This is an app to make new friends and meet people in a safe way in groups. Phones are very distracting with all of the pinging and ringing that interrupt conversations. Cooking together or even learning to cook is a beautiful way to connect with another person. My new-found friend from the Koli tribe in the Maharashtrian village of Purushwadi. I once had a friend who had no hobbies. Yes, you read that right! He would only go to work, come back home, and watch TV with the dinner his cook had prepared.
He hated talking to people and found great comfort in being passive. I used to think he was naturally reticent and liked being that way. If you also suffer from similar thoughts, you could try addressing each shortcoming once by one. Learn something. Join different classes for a while and stay with the one you like. That friend of mine later started learning to play the guitar and now also knows how to set up his own tent. He camps with strangers and prefers homestays over hotels for the warmth of the hosts.
