I have entered a phase in which I am attractive (-ive, not -ed, although that happens sometimes too) to the hostel staff. It’s obvious right away when it happens. There is a particular reaction immediately upon meeting me, almost a double-take, that says “I shall try to bed you this week”. And it’s WEIRD.

Have people always been this obvious? Does it spark some sort of subconscious submission? It seems contradictory, quite the opposite of hunting. Imagine the lion indicating to a zebra, “I’ve got my eye on you, boy; get ready for the chase.” I’m pretty sure the zebra doesn’t just take that sort of thing in stride.

But it must work well for these men to have such confidence.

After some posts by the Solo Travel Society regarding the idea that solo travel is scary and lonely, I would just like to reiterate: IT IS NEITHER.

Mostly because it is nearly impossible to be the only traveler in a place, forget being actually alone. Also, unless one is traveling to literal war zones – which one is probably not doing alone anyway – one is no more likely to die in a strange place than in a familiar one. I promise.

It’s kind of like “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories.