Crazy Adventures in the Life of a Redhead

With some new CouchSurfing friends on the desert camping trip. Does the concept of sleeping on a stranger’s couch appeal to anyone? I happen to love the concept of two strangers agreeing to be friends and share a common space simply because they are global citizens: one person a resident and the other person a traveler, a wanderer, a tourist who appreciates the multi-storied angle of a place. CouchSurfing is a respectable organization fueled by the pleasant encounters of its members. I have been a member since 2008; and of my nine hosts in four countries, I cannot find a negative word to express. When traveling solo, knowing you will have a pre-arranged “friend” is quite a comfort and adds a unique dimension to one’s tourism experience. Dubai is one of the most diverse places on earth, with a workforce that represents over 100 countries and all six continents. I stayed with Indians, hung out with Arabs, traveled around with a German and rode horses...

When I was a Model UN student in my sophomore year of college, I remember learning that Doha, Qatar, was the site of the most recent Round Table Talks of the World Trade Organization. Because of the event’s significance and Doha’s geographical location in the center of the Middle East, I thought it would be an interesting place to see. Doha, however, never made it to the top of my travel list—until three months ago when I learned that my childhood (first grade to seventh grade) best friend is working in Doha. Heidi and I met in first grade at Faith Community Christian School where she and I comprised half of our first grade class. One is forced to become friends with the few options available, but truly she and I were inseparable in many respects. A large portion of my childhood memories contains Heidi’s smiling face and vivacious curly hair. We were quite the pair, which is why I was devastated when she and her family moved from WI to MI in seventh grade. I traveled once to see he...

Truly peculiar are the differences between British and American English to the extent that I am wont to say that I speak American as opposed to the generalized English language. British being both charming and indigenous, I found myself warming up to the capital city of London and its environs. Based in St Albans (no period after the “t” and no apostrophe after the “n” for reasons I could not even begin to describe as they once again pertain to the differences between British and American English), I spent five days at my German friend Melanie’s flat (or apartment as we say in American) exploring some of London’s highlights, including the countryside palace of Hampton Court, as well as her idyllic town situated about 20 minutes by train from the city center. I also had the opportunity to get together with my friend Esther’s older sister who lives and works in London. I had the pleasure of taking full advantage of my visit to see people and places. For England, I ushered in the g...

While exploring the caves underneath Budapest, our guide recounted his general experience with foreigners, which made me laugh heartily. He said, “When I go abroad, people say, ‘Oh, you’re from Hungary; are you hungry?’ and then they never give me anything to eat!” Thankfully, we did not go hungry in Hungary but were fully satiated by the sights, tastes and sounds offered in this delicious Eastern European city. I generally do not go into the history of places I visit because it is not an emphasis I often prioritize; however, I found the history particularly riveting, so I will share an overview with you. In A.D. 896, the Magyar people settled in the Carpathian basin after a long overland migration, which comprised several hundred years of movement. A.D. 1000, one of Hungary’s most revered national leaders—and now canonized—Stephen is charged with the unification of the nation and its various tribes. What proceeds is a history of bloody destruction and occupation. A.D. 1241,...