I definitely agree indisputable with your friends viewpoint on this, it's like when you're traveling people tend to have a certain kind of attraction to you, also I think you're having feeling of adventure, discovery and passion. And that this in relation comes back as generosity, somehow people would like you to have a glimpse of their life so that you'll bring their generosity with you in your backpack wherever you'll go. It's kind of their way to travel, seeing you'll most likely only meet them once, it's also a time for many where they open up and discuss very personal and affectionate parts of their own life, and also of yours. Usually its some very sweet and endearing encounters with a very broad spectrum of people, so that afterwards you'll know that there's good people in all neighborhoods.
Surely you're going to meet a lot of people on your way, and I sincerely hope for you that you take people advices into account, to travel with people who will be good and kind towards you. I've been wanting to ask you how old you are, but it doesn't really matter, you just look so young and in ways innocent. I'm wandering off a bit, but yeah getting that wind in your hair standing at the side of some road with your thumb flying high is definitely going to help you get out of that fear of you wasting your youthhood.
