Introversion on the road

I've just read a great blog post by Sophia Dembling on World Hum, where she outs herself as both an introvert and an avid traveller. I thought it was really interesting because when you say you like to travel, people automatically assume that you're one of those people who loves striking up conversation with the stranger sitting next to you on the bus, or partying hard with your new friends from the hostel.

I don't. I am none of those things. Like Dembling, I am happy to talk to strangers if they make the first move, but for the most part, I am happy to explore a city alone (or at least with my travel companion of choice) and prefer, as she says, "sitting, eating, watching. Conversation optional." It's not that I don't want to interact with the locals, it's just that I'm not good with small talk. Hell, I'm not good with small talk at home - why would that change because I'm living out of a backpack?