Feel sad that friend doesn't want to meet

[Frisatsun]

I'm on holiday overseas and an opportunity came up to meet up with an old friend who lives in this country and is also on holiday in the area. We're FB friends and I let them know that I could get over to where they're staying and catch up with them if they had time. They reacted to the post but never commented anything. They have however been making plans to meet up with other FB friends in the meantime. Still reacting to my own posts but no mention of us meeting up.

A few years ago when I was last on holiday in this country my friend commented saying that I should go and visit them, however they were living in the other end of the country from where my plane was landing so it wasn't possible then.

Friend has had a tough few years due to sick family member and I've been supportive online throughout, even donating some money. I thought it would be nice to catch up after so long, even if just for a short while. But then no response to my suggestion to meet. I have just left it at that, not wanting to annoy them.

It's possible that they are just too busy doing fun holiday stuff however the enthusiastic making of plans with other people makes me think that no, it's just me they don't want to see, so I'm feeling a bit shitty and rejected.

Just message them directly. Sounds like you’ve suggested it in a public post on their timeline?

Have you asked them a direct question, like ‘are you free to meet on x date?’ or just said something like ‘we should meet sometime’?

Yes, I also think a more direct question to her privately will get a more direct answer?

But she may just be busy rather than not wanting to meet though, even if the answer is no.

I left my comment on their recent post saying I could get over there if they're free and to let me know if they want to meet. So the ball was in their court. Maybe should have suggested a day but didn't want to pressure them.

Other people (I think they're from a FB shared interest group) have done likewise and there's been back and forth comments about meeting up.

Just crap that for the first time in years I'm a 2 hour drive away rather than a more than 2 hour flight away when I'm over here and no chance of meeting now as they're going home soon.

Maybe the others are also phoning and texting?

I think they're on a shared FB group judging by profile pics so maybe to firm up plans.

They contacted me and said they were sorry we'd not been close enough to meet (despite me saying I'd come over) and that they'll be back in a few weeks if I'm around then. Which obviously I won't be because who gets that amount of holidays! So get impression they can't be arsed.