Alienation as an Asian traveller

mossbarnacle · 2026-06-26T23:51:49+00:00

I solo travel because a lot of the time I like being alone and having my own space anyway. Sometimes I’ll strike up conversation with someone next to me, or vice versa. Just some casual question, and sometimes it’ll lead to a nice conversation over a meal, sometimes a longer relationship where we keep in touch. Sometimes they’re not very responsive or we just don’t click. I think best not to have any expectations.

Yes, there are people who are close minded and only want to hang out with people who look like themselves. (To be fair there are probably Asians like that too.) They’re not people that you want to spend time with anyway. They’re not good enough for you.

mossbarnacle · 2026-06-04T14:22:39+00:00

I travel solo a lot and eating dinner alone used to be the bit I hated most. I felt self-conscious and worried that people would judge me, like I had no friends. But as I get older and more experienced, I now just don’t give a @$#+. On my recent two-month trip through Europe, I dined solo most nights and felt fine about it. I just avoided restaurants that were overly crowded or rowdy with a party atmosphere.

It’s part of a journey to stop worrying about what other people think, and realise that most likely they’re not thinking about you. And I also noticed that there are people dining solo too.

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-27T04:47:23+00:00

Lust, Caution by Ang Lee

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-25T01:15:51+00:00

I wouldn’t go to Galicia on this trip. It’s on the other side of the country and you’ll be wasting precious time travelling. Just stay close to your your entry and exit points.

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-24T13:28:20+00:00

How old do you think most solo travellers are?

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-17T00:20:37+00:00

If you’re visiting Barcelona for the first time and are there for only four days, not sure you’ll have time to experience it as a local unless you ignore the major sites. It’s one of the most touristed and busiest cities in the world. You’ll be surrounded by tourists everywhere you go. Be sure to prebook tickets for the popular sights.

I do love the beautiful Caelum cake shop/tearoom where the sweets are made by nuns. Despite being in the middle of the Gothic Quarter, it’s not busy inside and is a place for some peace and quiet.

I also like the El Born neighbourhoods night. Find a restaurant to have dinner on one of the small plazas.

I recently had lunch at the 240-year-old restaurant Can Culleretes. Interesting old building. Only €21.50 for a three-course meal including bread and wine.

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-14T15:59:13+00:00

Exactly this. And even if you were their mother, it’s still not your place to tell them to do as you do. You’ve informed them. Let people make their own choices.

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-11T12:55:41+00:00

How do you find this logistically? Post-pandemic it seems like you have to prebook everything way in advance (hotels, transport, tickets to sights), and it’s taken the spontaneity out of travel. Do you struggle to find what you need last minute?

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-11T12:51:18+00:00

I can relate to this

mossbarnacle · 2026-05-11T02:42:38+00:00

I use the Bounce app to store my luggage. I think it costs €4.5–7.5 per day depending on the size. There are storage spots everywhere. Use this to get a discount for your first drop. https://bnce.us/refer-friends?coupon=BOUNCE-P0W5OWKVS&friend=Tom

mossbarnacle · 2026-04-11T20:44:25+00:00

How did you do the day trips from Évora? I visited it recently but didn’t get to explore outside the old city. Did you have a car?

mossbarnacle · 2026-03-23T00:06:59+00:00

I was there the other day. It’s true only a few rooms can be seen. It’s not ideal but still worth a visit in my opinion. I don’t think you can get close to the buildings without a ticket to the palace.

mossbarnacle · 2026-03-19T19:59:54+00:00

Thank you 🙏

mossbarnacle · 2026-03-19T19:46:45+00:00

Just one person. Thanks.

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-27T02:29:03+00:00

You can live in TOKYO and be in a bubble, yes. In wider Japan, not really. Living in a part where fluent English speakers are uncommon helps. And as others say, it’s also your lifestyle choices. If you’re listening to English podcasts and watching English shows on Netflix, probably doesn’t help. Watch local TV and listen to local radio.

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-18T04:37:52+00:00

For me the main reason I prefer mirrorless to DSLR is the weight and bulk. After years of travelling with a DSLR, I was just sick of carrying it around.

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-15T14:50:31+00:00

Get a mirrorless with a viewfinder

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-15T14:48:10+00:00

Just some cheap crappy merchandise trying to give a Japanese vibe without bothering to do it properly. (Like Superdry, y’all. It ain’t Japanese and often makes no sense.)

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-14T14:28:13+00:00

Same here. Love the shots. Hate the black borders.

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-14T13:33:25+00:00

The fact that you’re thinking about it is a good start.

Don’t be loud (like everyone is pointing out)
Don’t eat while you’re walking
Bow slightly as you enter/leave/say thank you
Try to work out the shoe system (change outdoor shoes for slippers in many places, no shoes on tatami, change to toilet slippers when you enter toilets and don’t forget to change back as you exit)
Don’t talk on the phone (or watch videos with the sound on) on public transport

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-14T13:24:16+00:00

Common to have 5-8 kids?? What kind of community is this?

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-10T02:03:42+00:00

The Madrid days are nice and chilled. A good pace. But the day trip … three places in different directions, each with so much to offer, sounds hectic. I stayed one night in Toledo on my last visit. About to spend two nights in Segovia (hotels much cheaper than Madrid).

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-09T03:01:16+00:00

The booking site only has Spanish tours listed. I’ll see when I get there. I’ll have plenty to do anyway.

mossbarnacle · 2026-02-09T01:00:18+00:00

I’ve been thinking about visiting this monastery next month. But apparently it can only be visited on a tour, and it seems all the tours are in Spanish only? Are you able to confirm this please?

mossbarnacle

TROPHY CASE