Ben Collins reveals how his first stop backpacking in the USA was made complete not by where he was but instead who he was withReflecting upon my time in Canada, I have inadvertently stumbled upon a lesson that will likely permeate this adventure through and through - that is, it matters not where you are but who you are with.
Best illustrating this is by referencing a question I have been asked many times in recent weeks and that is quite simply "what experience did you enjoy most in Canada?"
It matters not where you are but who you are withWell quite naturally I think, people expect me to answer with the places they recognise as being most beautiful or most popular, say for example Niagra, the Rockies or Vancouver and whilst there is no denying how spectacular these places are, they weren't what I enjoyed most.
Instead, I deliver a surprise, as my response without pause is "Oshawa, Whitby and Regina," places that on their own merit are boring, drab and entirely forgettable. Perhaps then a little ironic... but I guess that's my point.
You see, it didn't matter about the location and it didn't matter what was on offer; what mattered was the people I was with and thanks to the likes of Colin, Laura and Jordan, these terrible towns became places I now come to think of more highly than the Canadian Rockies, which trust me, is as much of a surprise to them as it is to me.
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| The greatest of times in the most unlikely of places - all thanks to the loveliest of people. Go back and read the entries for Whitby, Oshawa and Regina by clicking the links |
I have had to quickly develop a trust in a sense that until six months ago I honestly thought was a myth - this of course being my gutLet's take for example, Bellingham, the first town on my hit list for the States. Apart from a passing recommendation from a then host in Canada, I had before my arrival no idea what was on offer and in all honesty didn't really care to know. Instead, the focus was on securing a host that would make my visit a worthwhile one and as per usual, that process began online.
However, with often hundreds, if not thousands of hosts in any given town or city, how do you go about choosing who to approach? Knowing that each host will lead to a dramatically different experience there is that desire to take your time and read every thing about every one. But realistically, that is just not possible and instead I have had to quickly develop a trust in a sense that until six months ago I honestly thought was a myth - this sense of course being my gut.
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But back to Bellingham and when I found Erica's profile the alarm in my gut rung loud and clear and within perhaps a few seconds of opening her profile I knew it must be her. Despite having nothing tangible to go on, I realised deep down that my time in Bellingham would be best if it were done so from the couch of Erica and her fellow housemates.
When I found Erica's profile the alarm in my gut rung loud and clear and within perhaps a few seconds of opening her profile I knew it must be herA few email exchanges later and all was set. I was coming to Bellingham and Erica would be my host.
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| From left: David, Erica, Myself and Gerald |
Once again it seems, the trust I have in this most intangible of feelings is reinforced, for my gut delivered me in Bellingham the most incredible experience and four great new friends.
Filled with that sense of youthful opportunity that comes I think with being at University, these fresh faced students were as welcoming as I think you can be without becoming weird and at every opportunity made for great company.
CouchSurfing Reference for Erica:I knew from the moment I opened Erica's profile that we would get on like a house on fire and felt before even meeting her I felt like I was visiting an old and dear friend.
As usual my gut has done me well, for Erica turned out to be quite simply the best of the best and my time with her and her fellow housemates goes down in history as perhaps one my most enjoyable CouchSurfing experiences thus far.
Erica herself was very welcoming and throughout my stay provided offers of help anyway she could. A very positive influence on her environment, Erica has a very calm and serene presence yet maintains a heightened level of ability to laugh her socks off and party well.
CouchSurfing for me is about the people you meet, friends you make and experiences you share and my time with Erica is a class example of just how perfect CouchSurfing can be. Do not miss meeting her.So as my reference implies, Erica was great, and in many ways she reminded me of Susannah from back in Victoria for both have an almost mystical serenity that is as calming as it is nurturing.
Whilst equally kind and welcoming, there was at the other end of the scale Clara, who it seemed was very much in a state of turbulence. Having returned back to Bellingham from a summer working in the mountains of Montana, Clara returned having left everything she loved - there was the fun job, the great natural environment and of course like any good story, there was the boy.
So in the three days I was in Bellingham I witnessed Clara go from being happy to be home all the way through to filled with regret - a feeling which quickly led her to stop her studies and return back to whence she came. It was for sure spontaneous and for this I couldn't relate. However, as Clara stood in a rather low moment on the front porch I joined her to be told how she was motivated not by love but in fact by the desire to be happy. She told me how life was short lived, how the last few months made her feel fulfilled and how returning to Bellingham to study made her feel like she was perhaps cheating on herself - now this I could understand.
I arrived in to Bellingham with nothing more than a gut reaction and yet I left with a head full of good memories and four friends for lifeLast but not least was David and Gerald who together are both very sweet, genuine and entertaining young men who like their female counterparts were a pleasure to spend time with.
You know, I arrived in to Bellingham with nothing more than a gut reaction and yet I managed to leave with a head full of good memories and four friends who I envisage keeping for life. Not bad, eh?
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CouchSurfing Reference for Ben: Ben is wonderful. I have never before met anyone who so fully shares my adoration for the couchsurfing project.
Good god, there really wasn't a single way that Ben didn't delight us. Aside from perhaps not liking cheese (almost unforgivable) Ben was the model surfer. He cleaned, never once complained, was ready and willing for any and every adventure (including the most boring adventure of waiting for hours in a line and being subjected to bone rattling bass) and was good conversation to boot.
He is one of those rare surfers who feels like they belong in the house and who you secretly hope will somehow break their leg so they'll have to stay with you indefinitely. A clearly intelligent, delightfully sarcastic and fun bloke, he fit in at our house like the furriest of ginger cats on a hot tin roof.
Keep an eye on this guy, he's going places. And trust me, you want to be along for the ride. Ben, keep writing, you oh so talented ginger you. I'll see you again in your foggy homeland.