I travel solo a lot. Occasionally I've met someone worth spending some time with - once, when an urchin threw up between us in the corridor of a train from Casablanca to Rabat - but more often not. A few suggestions:

1. Read up a bit on the place. Have at least a general plan: Pick some specific things you'd like to do and when you think you'd like to do them.

2. Weather and your physical condition permitting, go for a longish walk to get an idea of the city.

3. Bring a book to read during meals and so on.

4. Get Internet access to keep up with FlyerTalk.

5. Leave before you get bored, not after. If you have a trans-oceanic reservation that's still a few days off, take a train to somewhere. (For example: from Prague, not that boredom there is likely, Vienna is within easy range.)

6. Even if you don't speak the language, remember that the people you deal with basically have the same objective you do. For example, you want to buy a bus ticket; they want to sell a bus ticket. It will all work out.

7. Stay loose, be flexible.

8. Have fun!