Sounds like you found the "talking to strangers" bit as difficult

I did, you saw someone's name tag, recognised the name.. but then stopped yourself approaching them. It was a case of knowing the names, but not knowing the person. This was November 2018 and I had been here just 6 months.

I think things are different now. The crypto winter hit, many left and those that stayed are more tightly knit than before. The next one will be easier.