I was lonely because I had not learned to be alone.

Interesting! I am glad to have come across your post because I was just recently thinking about loneliness on the road. I have traveled solo on shorter trips before but I am also embarking on a longer one. But then you're right, solo people tend to get more attention and strangers/ locals/ fellow travelers would easily talk to us.

I also realized that I was most lonely in a group of people I do not belong in, now that's real loneliness rather than just being physically lonely.