Around the World Trip: Couchsurfing

Have you ever been somewhere, maybe another country, and just felt like an outsider looking in? As kids my mom would invite young Japanese girls to stay with us for a week or two as a part of an exchange program. Having served a mission in Japan, my mom could communicate with them and put them at ease. I remember laughing at how much they enjoyed the simplest things like our trampoline or the candy store at the mall. Although we took them to the tourist hot spots, they seem more excited by our home, the posters of boy bands on my sister’s wall and our daily life. Preparing to travel around the world I had very little interest in just seeing the buildings or tourist sites. I wanted to see the lives of the people. I know a few days or even weeks is often not long enough to really experience a culture but with groups like Couchsurfing, I think it is possible.

When I was first introduced I thought Couchsurfing was a way for creepy people to get cheap travelers like me to stay in their homes out of desperation. How wrong I was. Couchsurfing is a website that connects travelers who want something more out of their experience to hosts willing to house and introduce such travelers to their home. At no cost it works on a pay it forward system. In the past five years I have stayed in people’s homes across more than 10 countries. I have slept in small villages, Bedouin caves, huge mansions, shantytowns and everything else in between. And when I am not traveling I am able to play host to travelers coming to NYC.

The people I have met have changed my perspective on life and have taught me that we are not just citizens of our small community, but of a worldwide neighborhood. We are global citizens and as such we have the opportunity to care for one another. Couchsurfing for me started out as an alternative to hotels but I immediately learned it is not a way to find free accommodations. It is a way to form friendships and see into a culture that a building or tour group could never offer.  Regardless of our budget I know that my husband and I will continue to Couchsurf and host those doing the same.
*Although people maybe worried about trying it out considered this: A hotel views you as a customer and in some places just as a means to income, a Couchsurfing views you as a friend and guest in their home- as a result they care for you as such.

*no tour guide can take you to the hole in the wall that serves the best Dosa in the World*

Welcome to India: First stop Chennai

Regardless of how many times you watch Slum Dog Millionaire or The Marigold Hotel, nothing and I mean NOTHING can prepare you for the overwhelming sites, sounds and smells that encompass you, in the most colorful and yet bleak country I have ever stepped foot in: India. 

We landed at midnight in the Chennai International Airport and were quickly escorted into what looked like an abandoned school cafeteria. We waited beneath the flickering neon lights for what seemed like days. As we approached the old beaten up desk that doubled as the customs office, my heart jumped. I had no idea what was going to happen once we left that building and all I could see were scenes from the movie Taken, that my boyfriend kindly showed me the week before I left on the trip- yeah, really good idea. 

As we left the building the humidity poured over our bodies and added to the nervous sweat we were fighting back. In the dark it was difficult to distinguish between each person. The sea of bodies before us looked tired and lost. Laying on top of another, hanging over the guard rail and against any stable pole or person, I couldn't figure out if they were waiting for someone to arrive or hoping they could leave. 

After building our courage we decided to approach the taxi area that was still partially blocked off. Maybe this way we could prevent getting lost in the crowd. Approaching I realized that although they spoke English I couldn't separate their words into coherent sentences. Although we were looking for someone to pick us up we realized fast that if you don't take control of the situation, someone else will for you and then you are in their hands. Before we knew it we were in a taxi that could have been taken right from a 1960's gangster film. Our driver spoke no english and as we looked into his eyes noticed that one was completely blurred over and did not move from the inner corner. His other eye has a slight cloud but seemed to work. My mind raced as we sat in the back of the car. The doors are unlocked. Is Jaims scared? How much would I go for on the black market? Good thing there are lights on the streets. oh no- the lights are gone and here is a tunnel!!! Can jaims read my mind? Yes, yes i think she can. Do we jump out now or after the tunnel? oh wow a cow is sleeping in the middle of the road. As my mind continued to race and form escape plans we noticed a tuk tuk behind us honking loudly which seemed odd in a silent and empty neighborhood. A small excited man jumped from the tuk tuk and proceeded to bang on our windows. If we weren't scared before this point I can say with complete honesty that at this moment I knew I was going to die or be sold. 

With the use of many hand gestures he conveyed that he was supposed to pick us up at the airport and was there but when we tried to call him the taxi men took the phone and pretty much hung up on him and then lied to us. The first of many lies. 

So we got in the tuk tuk and hurried off to the home of our couchsurfing host. She welcomed us with wide open arms and put us right to bed as it was early in the morning by this time. As we lay there we laughed through our fears and I silently prayed for no more scares. 

Drifting into sleep I felt a wet sponge on my face. Scared to death I scream which then scares the culprit, a huge creature that then decides to silence me by jumping on top of me with such power that I felt the air leave my chest. Searching for breath I jumped out of bed as a beast began to pee all over the bed in which I hoped to finally rest. Regaining conscience I realized the beast was a huge dog and my bed was now wet. To tired to care, we covered the bed with extra sheets and the puddle with a large pillow and then jaims and I curled into the part of the bed that was the least drenched and once again tried to sleep. 

*our beautiful host- a woman with a heart of gold, and a very large dog*

*teaching us the many ways to wear a sari*