I went travelling solo last year and at the start of the journey I was couch surfing in America. Couch surfing is so strange, it's almost like a dating site where you look at people's profiles and send a message once you've chosen people you like the look of. I was looking for people that I thought would have some similar interests (particularly in music), at first I was nervous to stay with men (being a single gal travelling in a foreign place) but actually every host ended up being a dude! After this experience, a desire has grown within me to meet people with an open mind. It's so important to see people really for who they are and to let nothing disrupt this. Staying with these people in their homes nurtured a space that was really honest and genuine. I was able to get to know them on a really personal level, because they were in their space that they were totally comfortable in it. I think if we had walked past each other on the street, we might not have thought twice about our lives coinciding again, so it really allows you to just go with it and be open. The world seems friendlier to me now, I feel more comfortable with being alone wherever I am, knowing that someone beautiful isn't too far away.

Merryn Jeann