Working in exchange for tickets from Vancouver to Texas was an ideal way for a 60-year-old solo traveller to find friends, fun and an instant community

‘We have beers!” came the cry, followed by the more enigmatic “and hair clippers!” As the sun began to set, with no discernible abatement in temperature, the crew was in the process of building an outdoor stage at El Cosmico campsite in Marfa, Texas, for the forthcoming Trans-Pecos festival. The festival was the reason I was in Marfa for three nights. But I had made my travel arrangements and campsite booking before the festival dates were confirmed, and had ended up arriving a week early. The serendipity of this was slow to reveal itself but has had long-lasting ramifications, and is a shining example of opportunities that can come your way as a solo traveller.

I had taken early retirement at 60 and undertaken this first long trip on my own to the US and Canada to gauge how I felt about being away for four months: I had a plan to go to Cambodia to teach for a year in the future. I come from a family that has always travelled, so it was very much a “normal” activity and nothing to fear. I am single, with two independent adult children, who loaded me up with sufficient tech to ensure I could stay in touch with them.