Friends on Tap

Between Individualism and Community

This article was originally written in German and translated into English with the help of AI.

Whenever I told friends before we left for the Traveling Village that we would be traveling with 20 families, there was a lot of surprise.

20 families is quite a lot. We thought so too.

Especially after the experience of the camper trip with 15 families right outside our camper door…

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The Right Size

After about three weeks, I’ve come to feel that this is exactly the right group size for this way of living and traveling.

Because, of course, the people here are above all individualists. Mostly families who have left their original home — at least for a time. Not just because they want to travel, but often because they don’t quite fit in.

That brings together real characters. And here, the group size helps a lot: Within these non-conformist people, smaller groups and friendships can form without undermining the functioning of the larger community. With only 5–10 families, that would probably be much harder.

Big shout-out to the organizers, who not only chose the group size well but also — through a thoughtful sign-up process — managed to bring these fascinating people together.

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Local Proximity Matters

It feels a bit like home.
Because both the number of people you actually know and the physical proximity are similar to what you’d find in a small Bavarian village.

You constantly run into families from the Village — in the café, at the gym, on the beach. Not just planned, but also by chance. A friendly hello, a quick chat. Just the way it’s supposed to be.

And even though you’re in a foreign country with a completely different culture, there’s still a sense of security, comfort, and a sort of homeliness.

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Excitement for Community

The great thing is: people here really want community and exchange. And have time for it.

They organize activities themselves, pick up suggestions, and take part.

Often, all it takes is a quick message in the right WhatsApp group:

• Impromptu billiards evening → 8 people show up

• Theater in two days → 3 families join

• Group workout at the gym → 6 people train together

• Birthday party in three days → about 15 guests, many of whom barely knew each other three weeks ago

• Morning outing to sights at 5:30 a.m. → Then we just share a taxi

Back home, meeting friends often involves a lot of organizing — here it happens almost like friends on tap.

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Social Burnout?

Right now there is NEST four times a week for four hours each — most families are at least partially present. On top of that, there’s a community meal once a week, where almost everyone shows up. So on five days a week, you could theoretically run into the whole crew. On top of that: sports, coffee, outings, work groups, and spontaneous meetups.

That’s intense.

Even for me — a pretty social creature.

Last Thursday, for example. NEST was at the beach. And I just didn’t feel connected. To anyone. I was socially drained — so much that I didn’t even want to play spikeball!

Everyone here has to learn to step back sometimes, take breaks, and recharge their social battery. Finding the right balance between community, alone time, and family time.

That wasn’t easy in the first weeks — and will probably get easier as time goes on.
Eventually you know people better, know which activities suit you, and don’t need to be everywhere anymore.

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What’s Coming in the Next Weeks?

I honestly can’t wait to see what happens next.

My feeling is this: the honeymoon phase is over. The first euphoria has worn off, and everyday life is slowly setting in.

Smaller groups have formed, first friendships have emerged.

Of course, there are also the first frictions — like everywhere. That’s not bad, just interesting to watch.

Because this kind of community isn’t a five-month long party.
It also means work — communication, consideration, and self-reflection.

And yet — or maybe because of that — I still really want this.
This life here feels very alive.