I had never participated in couch surfing before. I remembered hearing about it from a friend in passing conversation and then recently, needing a place to stay for a few nights, it popped into my head and I decided to check it out. I created a profile and checked out hosts in the Chicago area. The information provided on the couch surfing site is very detailed, enough to make a confident decision about who to stay with. Annie was one of two people I messaged asking to couch surf and was the one available to host.
I didn’t really know what to expect with this whole event of couch surfing. Many questions racing through my mind as I awaited our meeting one another. What if it is a really awkward situation? Will she be easy to talk to? What will her place look like? Will I feel like an inconvenience? To my surprise I knew very shortly after I first met Annie that it was going to be a good experience all around.
I first went to the student center at the University in Chicago where Annie works to meet up with her. My nerves were subdued immediately as she made me feel right at home bringing me into her office and introducing me to her co-workers and her work environment. She explained thoroughly all she does in disability services at the college. Annie showed me what it was like to use public transportation as an individual with a disability, explaining things that would have never occurred to me. It felt like I was constantly learning while spending time with Annie. She has a vast knowledge in many areas. I learned about discrimination going on inside at the state level, what it would be like to be a writer with a low profile, all about her disability and SO many other interesting things.
Staying with Annie was a joy and I felt as if I knew her long before I even met her. She made me feel comfortable and welcome in her lovely downtown apartment. I am so grateful for her opening up her life to me. I was also able to meet family and friends who where also amazing. Annie and I had the opportunity to help a couple individuals in need on the streets of Chicago which was awesome to see how much more she could help them because of the organization, 3elove, she is the founder of.
As you can see my first ever couch surfing experience has been life changing and now very tough to beat. I will continue to look for more couch surfing opportunities because I believe it to be a very unique and enlightening opportunity. I feel privileged to know Annie and have the time with her that I did. Go couch surfing!
