a returning player and really confused.....plz helpFollow

hi im a returning player from back in 08 and this game was absolutely fantastic to me back then i actually dont even remember the reasons for giving it up maybe it was for financial reasons......but here i am back again although im a completely new character.....i know the game is 11 years old now and i know the population isnt as strong compared to 08 but after installing the game i was so eager to level my character to level 10 then off to the dunes for some parties against some snippers and then my fav lving area quifim island against some clippers for quite awhile......but when i get to the dunes its a ghost town im in odin and idn what im doing nemore if someone could point me in the right direction on how long i solo and then where i should go after that will releive alot of stress on my end as i just paid 40 dollars for the game i dont want to just set it aside and have it collect dust.....Guild Wars 2 got extremely boring but it was pay once play forever this game i wanna pay to play but i just need a nudge in the right direction to help me please someone......thanks in advance hope to hear from someone soon

Make sure to talk to moogle and get your exp ring if it is not already too late.