couchsurfing – Page 5 – Darkk Horse Travel

La Bonté Des Étrangers – Part 1

Published on February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from traveling, it’s that people are people. It sounds like a no brainer, but the number one concern I hear when I say I’m going to travel places, is that I should be careful trusting the people there. What’s funny is… they probably say the same thing about us.

From traveling, I’ve learned that humanity is broad, colorful, diverse and beautiful. There is evil in the world, yes. Some governments are oppressive and some cultural norms stagnate the possibilities for individuals to rise to their true potential. But I will never allow the aspects of darkness to outshine the good. The people who are selfless, stubborn and that build lives of beauty in places you might never consider beautiful are my heroes. And to celebrate THESE people. I’m going to share some stories of some awesome individuals I’ve met while traveling.

1. “Your Accent Is Cute.” – London, England

As an American traveling, it takes every ounce of self control not to fake a different accent. I wouldn’t go as far as saying I’m ashamed of the way I speak…only that I think it should stay on the home front. When I first arrived in London, England I was completely out of my comfort zone. I was using different money, there were way too many people everywhere, and I arrived at night – meaning I didn’t recognize anything the next day. On top this, the streets are backwards – which, honestly, almost cost me my life more than once.

When I first arrived in London I stayed about 30min north of the central city with one of my lovely couch surfing hosts. The second night I was out until after dark (which was like 6pm) and had no idea how to get back to where I was staying. Deciding to just try my luck, I jumped on a bus that looked like it MIGHT be the same number that I came down on (it wasn’t) and then rode around in it for twenty minutes.

At this point I literally had no idea where I was. So brilliantly, I got off the bus and tried to use the map on my phone*. After wandering around in the cold a bit, I finally found a bus stop and waited until the bus came. Happily climbing on, it wasn’t until a few moments later that I realized it was taking me BACK the way I came. So, getting off that bus, I got back on another random bus headed in the right(?) direction. At this point I was actually lost in London. My host wasn’t able to figure out where I was because I wasn’t able to figure out where I was, and I was sending frantic text messages. Fun times.
Finally I swallowed my shyness and asked the bus driver for directions.

He told me I was nowhere near where I was supposed to be going…but to go sit down and wait a while. I thought he was going to tell me a connecting route, but as the bus emptied of its last passenger, other than me, he called me to the front of the double-decker, after pulling over. He then whipped out his smartphone, and punched the address into his GPS. After finding the address on his phone, he pulled out of where he had parked and started driving and talking to me about where I was from. I told him Seattle, to which he said, “American? Well, I like your accent, it’s super cute.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that is a sentence every American woman wants to hear from an attractive British man.

As we kept driving, he let me know that we would be there soon. And only then did I realize I was being driven in a double decker bus, as the solo passenger, to the place I need to go. He dropped me off at the corner of my street, and drove away, waving goodbye. I’m probably never going to see that man again, but as far as I know, if it wasn’t for him I might still be lost in London. A cosmic “Thank you, sir.”

* Note: iPhone 4’s DO NOT work internationally unless you’re on WiFi, which doesn’t help if you’re in the middle of nowhere.

2. Never Euro In N. Ireland – Belfast, Ireland

If you’ve ever been to Northern Ireland you’ll know that tension flows through the air. I never really understood the stubbornness and hot headed nature of my Irish blooded family until I visited Northern Ireland and met the people there. Not to say this is a bad thing, but just that it was my observation.

When I was traveling around the UK, Belfast was the first stop on my backpacking adventure. I had travelled 20 hours to get there including two planes, a train and a two buses. FINALLY, when I got to Northern Ireland, I groggily hopped on the bus I was told would take me to my hostel. It was the wrong bus. So I hopped on another one the bus driver told me to take. It was ALSO the wrong bus. Finally, with 30 lbs of luggage on my back and 2 hours of sleep in 48 hours, I got on the right bus and pulled out my wallet to pay.

The bus driver looked at me as though I was trying to pull a practical joke. “How much is the bus?” I asked. He looked at me one more time as though I was joking, and then frankly told me that they didn’t take that kind of money, and to get off the bus and go exchange it. I had just used the money in Dublin, so I was confused for why it wouldn’t work.

Note: Trying to pay with Euro is a “political statement” in Northern Ireland. Don’t do it.

Stumbling my way around the city, I finally found a place to exchange my money and went out to wait for the next bus. I FINALLY I got to my hostel. At the brink of tears, because I was so exhausted and my back hurt so much, I asked the front desk staff to check me in. But, (surprise) they also didn’t take Euro and I hadn’t exchanged enough money to pay the other half of the room bill. Completely out of my control, my eyes filled as I tried not to cry. The woman told me I couldn’t check in – which meant going back to the city center, finding another bus, coming back on another bus, and carrying my pack around for even longer.

At the same time, a guy in his 20s hopped down into the room and asked what was going on. The lady explained the situation and I just stood there trying not to cry. He reached down and handed me a key. I took it without asking any questions. The woman and I both had shocked faces as he told me to just pay the next time I went out and got change – an exception which was, apparently, totally against protocol.

His act of kindness was probably one of the best things during my trip; not because it was the grandest gesture, but because it was a small act of kindness in a moment when I just needed a break.

3. Ten Hours With A Stripper – Missoula, MT

In four years of college and my entire life before then, I never pulled an all-nighter. (And to preface the sentence I’m about to say – don’t jump to conclusions.)

The first time I did, I was with a male stripper.

His name was Hank. He was tall and military trained and we met on the way to Seattle on a Greyhound bus. I had been staying in Missoula, MT for the week before and was coming back heartbroken and tired. Also, for reference, the Greyhound bus ride from there to here is about 11+ hours. So, about to fall sleep on my way home, I was suddenly interrupted by a guy across the aisle way. I don’t remember what he was talking about, but suddenly he was talking to me about my hat and how much he liked it. I’m pretty sure it was just a plain beanie.

We talked for a few minutes, but I was less than enthusiastic since I just wanted to curl up and sleep/die (heartbroken.). After the bus switch a couple of hours later, I walked back on and found that the girl I had been sitting with had left at that stop. So, I took my seat and the trek back began. Soon after, I heard someone trying to talk to me from the back of the bus. I turned around – him again. “I’m just going to move up there so we can talk easier.” And Hank popped into the seat beside me.

After a while we started talking pretty naturally, mainly because I was by the window, and there was nowhere to go with a 6’6″ man sitting next to me. Over time we started talking about relationships and how we were both just getting out of some pretty swampy territory. We talked for 10 hours straight about everything from favorite movies to quotes we liked and political views. But, mostly, about our mutual broken hearts.

We were both crushed that things didn’t work out between us and our significant others, and sat there for hours talking through things, encouraging each other (not the fake kind) and figuring things out.

I honestly can say, it was better than any counseling session I’ve ever had. I was crushed when I left Montana, and by the time I got to Seattle I felt so much better. All of my problems weren’t solved. But having a stranger sit and talk to me about them for that long was insane. When I got off the bus at the last stop I couldn’t find Hank to thank him. I’ll probably never see him again, but the kindness of a listening ear is something I’ll never forget.

Stay tuned more more stories coming up…

Have I ever mentioned how much I love old cars? — Missoula, MT

J’étais un étranger, et vous m’avez invité dans votre maison.

Published on February 22, 2014February 22, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

By every standard of normality, *Couchsurfers are insane.

I can say this because I’ve Couchsurfed before and, if you know me, you know I only believe in insulting things you’ve tried. Honestly, the potential negatives of couch surfing are pretty transparent; all primal instincts scream that finding a complete stranger over the internet and staying with them/letting them stay with you is ridiculous. And, in a way, they’re right. But ridiculous is not always a bad thing.

The first time I Couchsurfed, I had approximately everyone tell me I was going to die/be abducted. After all, how DO you avoid ending up on the “Missing Persons” page of the Times? Or, better yet, how on earth do you sleep soundly curled up on the couch of a complete stranger?!? Well, beyond the logical safety measures (3 C’s: Communication, Comments, and Contact) I would say it comes down to one thing – trust.

Reality: everyone you’re friends with now was once a stranger. Maybe you met them at work, in high school, or maybe your parents semi-forced you to be friends by having playdates every weekend of your childhood. But regardless, there was a time when you knew absolutely nothing about them. And whatever the circumstances, you had to start from nothing and build trust with that person.

Or, if you want to get more cozy – let’s talk dating. Because everybody likes blog posts about dating. When you first start dating someone, how much do you know about that person? If they were a friend before you started dating, probably more than most. But, more than likely, you met at some kind of event/location and then ended up going out with this complete stranger until the two of you either decided to get more serious or one/both of you bolted.

By these standards, Couchsurfing is actually an upgrade. You get to look at reviews, talk with the person beforehand (via Skype, email or text), you see pictures of the place you’ll be staying, read bios and gather information. AND THEN, and only then, do you choose to stay with them – or continue to peruse the thousands of other profiles. If you’ve done your research (which was practically laid out in front of you) then you’re more than likely in the clear.

For me, when I first started Couchsurfing, I did it because I needed a place to stay, wanted to explore and didn’t want money (or, rather, the lack thereof) to be a reason I couldn’t visit a place I wanted to (the other half of the reason is because I absolutely love shocking people).

My first trip I didn’t really know what to expect. I was picked up at the Greyhound bus station by my host and her pug and driven to her house, which was not too far away. I didn’t really know what the protocol was, so I just decided to act like we’d known each other for forever and were just meeting up again after not seeing each other in ages (#storyteller).

This, as it turns out, was actually one of the best things I could have done. That, and bringing pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I had baked the night before. After munching and searching through the newspaper for things to do, I quickly decided that she and I were going to be friends. Anyone who offers to teach me how to make books, and has a giant ginger cat, is fine by me. During my time there (Montana), we ate, we danced and we laid out under the November night sky for hours looking for shooting stars. It was sublime.

After that trip I knew I had to Couchsurf again, and every time I do I walk away with new friends and beautiful stories. I’ve gone line, Cuban salsa, and traditional Scottish dancing and I’ve loved every minute. I’ve eaten sheep intestines, seen Les Miserables in London, stared at originals by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Monet and had cooking lessons on how to properly make a “raw”/vegan meal.

I feel so enriched by all of my experiences as a Couchsurfer, because throughout them all, there is the overwhelming sense of (get ready for the cheese) love. As a Christian, I’m told to love my neighbor as myself, but it wasn’t until I showed up on the doorstep of a complete stranger, and she insisted on me taking her bed, while she slept on the couch, that I understood why.

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” Matt. 25:35

When we place others before ourselves, it’s not just an act of courtesy. It literally changes a little piece of that person and with them, the world. It makes others feel valued, loved and accepted when they might not, otherwise. And, my favorite part, it allows them to then take that love and pass it on.

You might not have the means to make huge gestures for changing the world around you. You might feel stuck where you live, or not know exactly how to make a positive impact.

But, here’s a tip from one friend to another – value a stranger. Let them hang out on your couch. Listen to their stories and show them around your town. It might seem small, like a mustard seed, but sometimes that’s all it takes to plant a tree of hope, and change the life of a stranger.

*N O T E: Couchsurfing.org : Travel like a local, stay in someone’s home; fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect, and experiencing the world in a way money can’t buy.

15 Favorite…

Published on February 13, 2014February 13, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

As a fashion grad, and travel addict, I require myself to look like a “normal” person while I go on adventures. It’s bad enough knowing that you don’t belong to your surroundings, but advertising it to the world is like painting a bullseye on your forehead.

Whenever I take a trip I make sure I pack some favorite gear no matter where I’m going. Beyond the basics (toothbrush, underwear, passport etc.) these are some things that specifically make my own travel experience 10x better.

1. An insulated rain jacket: These bad boys can be a bit pricy, so keep an eye out for one on sale off season, or invest in one that will last you a while. I bought mine at REI and I love it because it has cross body buttons, which makes it cute, but it’s also a rain jacket that will keep you warm. Especially since I normally travel in the Fall, it’s a super good idea bring one of these along if the climate where you’re going will even potentially need it. *The yellow arrow is pointing to an inside zip pocket. I bought this coat before I went to the UK and I wanted to make sure all of my valuables were safe while I was walking around London and bigger cities. In this jacket there is also a back bottom zippered pocket and the outside pockets zip and button when they’re closed. Pick-pockets never stood a chance.

2. A sturdy pair of leather boots: For these, I generally look for American made leather boots that look like they’ll last until Jesus comes back, again. Since you may/most likely will be walking for longer distances, these are a great thing to have to keep your feet covered and warm while still looking cute and comfortable. For the insides, I generally get some kind of heavenly insert, and the outside I use bees wax rain repellant to keep them solid and waterproof.

3. Thick infinity scarf: These are nice because you can throw them on and now worry about chocking yourself with the ends, like a regular scarf. This was especially important for me, because I was backpacking and didn’t have the time/energy to be checking my scarf while I was running through cities with 30lbs on my back.

4. An accordion folder with tabs: This. Saved. My. Life. I generally like to spontaneously travel, but there are some things such as hostels for the first night, when you’re severely jet-lagged, and train rides to your end of the day flight, that are important to keep organized. This little folder is perfect for putting maps, tickets and information in so that it’s all fully accessible at a moments notice. It cuts down on stress/freaking out that you lost something, and if you’re traveling alone, like me, it’s a MUST.

5. A FRESH journal: I like to give each adventure its space. I never use the same journal twice when traveling, because I don’t want to feel like I’m going to run out of pages, or if I lose it I lose memories from the past four years. I also generally grab one with non-lined pages so I can sketch/tape things in/write on whatever part of the paper I feel like.

6. My camera: AKA my child. I love having a nice camera to take with me and get decent shots of my surroundings. That being said, there is a lot more responsibility when you have one. My camera is not small, and was expensive, so I always have to find a way to keep it safe, while making sure it’s accessible at a moments notice – this can be hard if you’re traveling with a lot of bags, but it is so worth it!

7. Wipes! Sometimes, when you travel, you don’t have access to a restroom – or if you do, the bathroom available is not the ritz. So, it’s nice to be able to freshen up and not smell like a backpacker once in a while you’re running around. These are also pretty compact and light (while being so valuable on a hard day) so they’re great for backpacking.

8. Eye mask: Oh, my word. If you’ve ever stayed in a shared room hostel you know how essential these are. With people constantly coming in and out of the room at all hours of the night/morning, an eyemask might be the only way you get enough sleep to function the next day. Also, they’re nice to have if you want to sleep on the plane.

9. Head light: These are nice if you’re traveling at night and end up in a situation that’s less than sketchy, but higher on the freak out level than safe ( I also accompany this with a panic whistle if I’m traveling alone…just in case). It also can be great when you’re trying to find something in the dark and you can’t turn the light on etc. It’s just always nice to have some kind of light source.

10. Messenger bag/backpack: I really love this bag in the picture because it turns into a backpack, or can be a messenger bag. This is important to have when you’re looking around the city, because items you don’t want to leave in a hostel, or that you just would like to have with you are much easier to carry this way – rather than lugging your big bag/luggage with you.

11. EARPLUGS. *refer to #8

12. Mini sewing kit: This is one of those simple things that you never think you’ll use, until something breaks and you need it the most. It’s a good idea to bring a little kit along just in case any pack problems/clothes problems occur.

13. First Aid kit: Again, you might not think you’ll use it. But if you find yourself somewhere you can’t get medical attention and need some supplies, it’s good to keep one of these handy.

14. Wool head wear: If you’re traveling to Hawaii for vacation, obviously you don’t need this. But, if you’re traveling to Europe in the fall/winter, you probably will want it. I try to stay away from any kind of acrylic/synthetic headwear mainly because it doesn’t actually keep cold out. It just keeps you a little less cold. Pictured is a wool head wrap that I’m in love with wearing. It’s also red, so easy to find and a pop of color since I normally dress in black/white/gray when I travel. *Same rule goes for gloves – find a good wool pair, you’ll thank me.

15. An awesome book: I always bring a book with me that I’ve started but haven’t had time to finish. This is great for when you’re stuck waiting somewhere and don’t have any phone reception, you want to just relax in a coffee shop or you need to avoid eye contact with an awkward stranger. It’s also great because, at the end of the journey, you’ve accomplished a home task as well!

*16. CHOCOLATE: I didn’t have a chocolate bar to put in the picture, but this is one of the best pieces of travel advice I’ve received in my life. I was pretty skeptical when a friend handed me a chocolate bar on my way to a trip, but that chocolate bar saved my life when I was jet lagged and falling asleep on a train, when I was dying of hunger from missing a lunch cart on a train and sometimes when I just needed a pick up from being tired. The thing to remember is, this is for emergency low blood sugar, so it stays in your bag only for those reasons.

What are some must have’s you guys can’t travel without?? Let’s make a list. 🙂

À bientôt!

1479478_10201971345178628_2075358399_n — Buckingham Palace, London, England

Letter To A Young Exploress

Published on February 6, 2014March 1, 2014 by Emilee2 Comments

1450751_10201965655276384_805682068_n — Glasgow, Scotland

Traveler,

In your life there are going to be people who tell you what you “should” do. In most cases, it won’t be with negative intentions or purposeful neglect to your feelings. But, hands placed on your shoulders, concern built in their eyes – they will try.
If and when these people find you, I want to give you one piece of advice:

Listen to them.

Listen, ponder, wonder and question every word that spills out of their unassuming mouths; riverbanks trying to contain the flow of your own untamable ambitions. Think about their words. Gnaw on them again and again until you truly understand the marrow of what it means to make your own decision.
Then, throw them out. For they have no further value to you.

As you plan and scheme and chart the direction of your own decision making, remember the words of those who doubted you. Remember the people who told you that you couldn’t or shouldn’t. Every person who tried to pour into your mind their own doubts and limitations. And as you think on these, also remember that you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). More than able (Phillipians 4:13). And born to be set apart (Jeremiah 1:5)

Then, take a step. Fall with the freedom of knowing you have weighted the reasons, excuses and deliberations; and they have been found wanting. Walk forward, traveler, and be guided by the northern star of your own intellect and courage. For, remember, castles are seldom built by staying in valleys; dare to dream of venturing to the highest hills.

Remember who you are. A woman fully competent, fully capable and stubborn as hell. Plan. Plan like you’ve never planned before. Spend every minute researching the world you’re about to travel into, so that when you step outside your front door you can throw the guidebook to the side, and enjoy your experiences fully.

Make friends with everyone. And I mean everyone. Bus drivers, taxi drivers, hostel workers, baristas, post office workers, random people you meet in museums and that mom with a stroller at the bus stop. Keep your ears open, your mind clear and your possibilities endless.

Experience the culture. Don’t ever block yourself off in the comfort of a hotel room or the emptiness of an American chain restaurant. Eat the local food (I don’t care how gross it sounds), go dancing – always go dancing, look for events in local papers and billboards. No matter how tired you are, remember: You only need 8 hours of sleep, and you have a TV at home. Get outside! Parks, museums, art galleries – go.

Write down everything and send your home self postcards with notes of encouragement. Remember, you won’t be here forever, but the memories will. Remind yourself of your accomplishments, so when you’re feeling lost a week after getting back, you have a piece of mail to remind you that it was only one passport stamp, and there are many more adventures to come.

And last? Stop making excuses.

If you have the ability to hold a job, you have the ability to save money. If you have the ability to save money, no matter how long it takes, you have the ability to buy a ticket to somewhere and go on an adventure. Be smart with your traveling. Challenge yourself to save as much money beforehand so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re exploring.

You are a woman, not incapable. You are an exploress, not unable. You have intellect, an open mind and a heart that loves – use them. And while you’re standing there, looking at something more beautiful than you could have imagined, meeting people who open your mind to more than you could have grasped before – breathe. Deeply and slowly. Remind yourself, “In this moment, I am happy.” And then, as you start to walk toward the beauty that’s before you, remember all those people who told you it couldn’t be done – and smile.

Nous Sommes Une Famille

Published on February 4, 2014February 9, 2014 by EmileeLeave a comment

1422392_10201971384819619_1138565577_n — London, England

Every time I see a backpacker I want to hug them.

I wan’t to ask them where they are coming from? Where they are going? And if they want to grab coffee so I can hear all about their adventures. To me, they’re not strangers – they’re family. And the familiarity of each one comes directly as a result of having been in that situation myself.

There’s something that happens when you travel. You start to view the world as a global community, instead of a planet full of strangers. Humanity is beautiful. But, so often, we only see negativity from the bubble of our media outlets.

Sometimes, though, if you’re like me, you’re driven to go find your own truth. Who are these people? The tiny characters on your TV screen. The posted faces on propaganda. The photographs and documentaries and fandoms and paintings and songs and lyrics and movies? Where do they come from? How do they live? Are they like me? Will they like me?

It’s one of my personal goals to travel to every nation I’m ethnically from. To give you a hint: there’s a lot. The current count is at eight, but those are only the ones I know of. So far, I’ve reached five of my eight countries. The only three left, being Norway, Denmark and Germany. I’m hoping that while I’m living in Europe ( OhMYGOSH – did I actually just use that sentence in real life!?) I’ll be able to knock these out as well.

Each time I visit a country that I’m from (or a culture), I understand more about myself. I get why my Irish family exaggerates – because we are story tellers. I understand why my English roots carefully select those who we allow in our inner circles – because we love well. I understand the importance of food – because it’s a commonality we all share, one that brings us all together. And with each place I visit I understand more, the intricacies of what really makes me who I am.

I think one of the most dangerous things in the world is not knowing where you come from. And, even more dangerous, not caring. If you’ve ever dabbled in genealogy you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say, there’s something almost magical about finding out about your own history and the ancestors who came before you. Even if this has nothing to do with a blood line, your culture is dependent on the society you’ve been raised in, and knowing that history is just as important.

From a Christian standpoint, I like to think about it like rationalizing the presence of the Old Testament in the bible (theology friends: please don’t shoot me). Why is it even there if most of the doctrine we adhere to is in the New Testament? Well, I’m no theologian, but I am a story teller. And I know that without the foundation and context with which to tell a story, you’re left with little more than words on a page. Without knowing what the promises are, how can we rejoice in them being fulfilled?

In a similar way, without knowing how we came to be present – how do we find purpose and meaning in continuing forward into the future?

Something beautiful happens when you take this leap and step outside your own comfort zone. With all of your belongings strapped to your back, a couple of maps you probably won’t use, and a journal you won’t ever be able to truly fill, you become infinite.

I wouldn’t say I’ve ever had an “out of body experience”. But I have had an out of mind one. Shutting off your perceptions of what the world “should be” and letting your mind get swept away in the myriad of foreign cultural possibilities, allows you to return to yourself fully.

And while traveling as a tourist is such a great experience, I don’t think I could ever overemphasize the beauty of backpacking and couchsurfing while you see the world. For those of you who don’t know, couchsurfing is exactly what it sounds like: Staying on people’s couches while you travel around.
Personally, I love using the website couchsurfing.org which is set up like a Facebook community where all of your “friends” live in every corner of the world – you just haven’t met them yet.
I’ve used the website multiple times, and always had amazing experiences. You can stay with people literally anywhere in the world, and it’s the most amazing feeling to have complete strangers willing to open their homes to you; again reinforcing the feeling of a global family.

Throughout my travels I’ve had people: cook for me, take me dancing, teach me how to mimic accents, insist that I sleep on their bed while they slept on their couch, pick me up from the bus station (a big deal when you’re lugging around a backpack) , go shopping with me, teach me about astrology, star gaze on winter nights and go to Broadway plays. I’ve experienced life because I’ve allowed life to give me experiences.

Now, when I see a chance to include someone from another culture into my own, I don’t see them as intruders or as strangers. I simply, now and forever, see them as family.

1395445_10201866727803259_188708302_n — Me and my mum in the airport just before I flew off on my backpacking trip.