We travel for the places, but the people are what make the places. You go somewhere and you meet certain people, have certain experiences and no matter how many times you go back to that same place, it will never feel the same again. Think about your travels, the people are the memories you have, not the actual places. It’s the same for us, no matter where we are its the people that make the best memories.
Last week we had a very unique opportunity to couchsurf with some travel buddies who stayed with us last year. In fact, they were the in Danny’s very first blog post. We did things that normal travelers don’t get to do like share in family meals and road trip to Oktoberfest, but we also got to hang out with our friends and have some down time. I’ll fully admit, without spending time with them Curitiba and Florianopolis would not have made our must-do list. Beyond not having to stay in a boring hotel or hostel (they all seem to blend together after a while, truly), its nice not to always have to introduce yourself and share your story. Sitting around the dinner table laughing at jokes translated into three languages, we really felt like we were in our own home back in our pre-travel life. I’m not going to lie, it made me miss that life a lot, but if we hadn’t chosen to do this trip we would never have meet these people or gone to these places.
Everyday, even outside of vacations and travel, you meet people and you don’t know who you’re going to connect with or even see again. As we like to say, we’re not traveling around the world, we’re just visiting new friends. 馃檪
Alyson says
So nice! Glad you reconnected with them. And, love your last line… just meeting new friends!
Marjorie says
Nice words Jillian!!!
I am really happy that we really met!!!!
How was oktoberfest??
Nice hat, danny!!!
Danny says
Hi Marjorie – Hosting the three of you back in DC ended up being the best part of our trip to Brasil!! Thanks for the wonderful memories
leo says
:p
Alonna says
I just found your blog recently (a link from Briefcase to Backpack) and love your philosophy and all the details you’ve provided on the top menu. My husband Ben and I are just a couple months into our 1-year off of work to travel. We’ve couchsurfed twice now and absolutely loved it. You’re right, it really makes a place special to share it with locals. And it’s such a nice change from hostels and especially hotels.
Danny says
Hi Alonna – Glad you’re enjoying our blog and even happier to hear you’re getting the most out of CS!!! Looking forward to cacthing up on your blog and sharing notes.
Anarosa says
Hey guys… I stoped to read your site and experiences that you had and… God, you make me cry!!! I’m so glad to the opportunity to have you part of my story!!! =D
The doors of my house will always remain open to you…
You both live in my heart!!!!!
Miss you!
Jillian says
I hope we get to meet up again sometime somewhere. We will always remember the three of you in our hearts! Visiting you guys was the best part of Brazil!