Its something when you look at lives in different countries and you can see how empty some peoples lives are and pretty much it is a lonely planet for them. I have a friend I have tried to encourage to travel for over 10 years now but he’s still heavily stuck in his ways and will often use lame excuses rather than just say he doesn’t want to do it. You see what is odd he will do the run up to the trip and within the last 2 months of preparing and about to buy the tickets he will suddenly back out every time. The reason I am trying to get him out of his routine is that he’s extremely lonely with the life he has and travelling has been a real eye opener on friendships. Many people I have met over the years come from all walks of life and nationalities. Rich or poor makes no difference as the common bond has always been travel and the interests that go with it.
At the same time have come across people who have socially ended up rather detached from everything around them for various reasons and simply have found it easier not to make friends to avoid disappointment. Which is the reverse of why my friend struggles to meet people and open himself up to experiences but the result is the same. I think the western world revolves too much around work and consumerism making that a very lonely part of the planet to be for many people as I know myself I used to gear everything either around work or the holiday breaks throughout the year.
Having my eyes opened again to world travel as I had spent many years abroad as a child had pulled me back from the commercial and consumer lifestyle that I had become used to in the UK to seeing the bigger picture once more. Having an old car and 6 months travelling Europe would always be more exciting and inviting than the smell of fresh leather on a new car. If your feeling that there is more to life and that the environment your living in is a pretty isolated space even in a big city it may be time to make the plunge of change and look for something new.
maybe your friend is afraid of flying?? I love to travel.. i hope i never get to stop traveling if and when i do get married and have babies…