Destinations Archives - Page 8 of 10

Ooh Rah

May 30, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

If someone tells me they are a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine, you know), I am going to host them. My husband is a Marine and I have the utmost respect for them, and all military and veterans. This young man wrote last minute on Couchsurfing and asked if he could spend a night with us. He is a student at Bryant College and coming for a summer internship but his room isn’t ready yet. Of course, I said yes.

Shaun arrived about dinner time Tuesday. I was in the midst of a local pub crawl with my other guest Alice from France. We were at the Fleet Reserve Club, enjoying a perfect summer evening on the deck with some friends that we happened to run into. This is one of the greatest things about staying with a local. Neither Alice nor Shaun would be allowed into this private club without me, a member. We had a great time enjoying the priceless view of the harbor and roaring laughter with my friends – old and new.

Shaun and Alice Couchsurfers with Laurie at the Fleet Reserve Club

Couchsurfers Shaun and Alice with Laurie at the Fleet Reserve Club

Later we walked up to my favorite ice cream place downtown, Annapolis Ice Cream at 196 Main Street. Eight consecutive years voted best ice cream in Annapolis – and they make all their own ice cream in house. They both LOVED it. As we were leaving I saw a group of Midshipmen walking down Main. I asked them if our friends could follow them to the yard (USNA) so they could walk around a bit. Shaun only had one night to see the tow and I had to leave with my daughter.

As my two guests returned home for the evening they informed me that one of the mids was a tour guide and offered them a private tour of the campus. Fabulous! My guests had an awesome and truly local, authentic evening. When I awoke the next day, Shaun had made us some of his favorite tea that he brought along and even left me two beautiful tea cups as a gift. Not sure if he knew that I love tea!

Down the Shore II

May 25, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Jessenia and Laurie in Somer’s Point, NJ

We have made another local friend, Jessenia, through Couchsurfing. She came over and sat on our deck watching the sunset with me. We shared stories of Panama, (she was born and raised there and I just went for a long trip in Jan). We also have a lot in common professionally (I used to own spas and she is a spa manager). We had a lovely time and I even got to practice a little Spanish. We might meet up at a local spot, the Tuckahoe Inn in Marmora, right down from her house. I think we now have another friend around here. Why did it take me twenty years to make friends, I made two in one weekend.

Down the Shore

May 24, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Ellie & Laurie relaxing outside Ocean City Coffee

If you are from NJ, NY, PA – you know how to say “at the beach” correctly (down the shore). Where I grew up in PA most people choose to go to Jersey beaches, and my favorite is Ocean City, New Jersey, “America’s Greatest Family Resort”. I would say it is definitely one of the greatest. There are no bars in OC, almost all two lane streets with lots of bicyclists, a very large boardwalk and tons of activities for the whole family. It is clean, there is very safe and has tons of great shopping.

The infamous “flipflops” are a great photo op

If you really want adult fun there are lots of great bars a 5 minute drive in Somers Point, and Atlantic City is about a 25 minute drive (can’t speed, all lights are timed :-0). I have been going for years but never really as a local.

I planned a trip to the Jersey Shore for a long Memorial weekend. I already had a place to stay – my Dad’s in Somers Point, New Jersey, but I really don’t know many people even after coming over 20 some years. It was just me and my three year old so I thought I would take my own advice and Couchsurf for friends in Ocean City, New Jersey. I thought it would be nice to actually have a local friend.

I found a lady, slightly older than me and I emailed her a week or so ago. I let her know that I was coming to the area and wanted to meet people. We agreed to make contact when I arrived in town. Thursday the weather was just awful so we agreed to meet for coffee Friday morning at the local hangout Ocean City Coffee Company on Asbury. That’s my favorite – finding the local coffee shop (for tea of course).

Julie was fantastic, really. We chatted for a bit then she offered to let us park at her house and go play at the nearby park. She gave us some delicious fruit and we shared our stories of a love for travel. She showed us her studio in the garage where she refinishes furniture into great shabby chic finds. She even pulled out a box of kids books and gave them to Ellie.

Later we went by the thrift store Second Chance where Julie volunteers and happened upon some great finds. She also recommended a great local bakery across the street – Wards Pastry on Asbury Street – for a quick afternoon treat. She was right, it was packed with locals and I never knew about it.

It was really great finding a new friend in a place I have been visiting for years. Ellie says she really likes Julie and I hope we get to come back and visit her again soon… or maybe she’ll come visit us in Annapolis.

Ellie playing putt-putt at the Goofy Golf

Loving it in Verona

May 13, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Andrea and Katie playing guitar

On the same trip to Croatia we first went to Italy. I had never been to Verona, so I thought I would plan a trip there and then an easy stop in Venice. We were met at the Verona station by our host Andrea. He was as fabulous as his emails led me to believe. We all crammed in his little European car and went directly to his flat in the center of town. It was perfect, a guest room for two and a sofabed as well.

Andrea and Laurie enjoying Iocal cuisine

Andrea and Laurie enjoying local cuisine

We had great times, jam sessions on his guitar, friends over for a dinner party, and time getting to know our wonderful new friend. He and my stepdaughter got along swimmingly (he is a counselor for kids). We easily hopped on a bus from the station near his house and had wonderful day trips to all the little towns around Lake Garda. I had never heard of it – after all my trips to Italy over the years. Every town more beautiful than the last, with amazing views and crystal swimming waters of the lake. We even happened upon an air show and my husband was a pilot with the US Marines. We ended up meeting the pilots and getting a photo op.

Enjoying dinner with new friends

Andrea’s flat was perfectly located to venture into town. Verona is the “home of Romeo and Juliet” and has much history and culture to explore. Between our host being SO WONDERFUL and the area being perfect, we really didn’t want to leave.

Overlooking beautiful lake Garda

I keep chatting with Andrea on Facebook and insisting that he come visit soon. I miss my friend.

Enjoying Lake Garda

Treaty of Utrecht

May 4, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Maartje is a lovely young lady who hails from the city of Utrecht, Netherlands. She came to the area to do some research at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater. She contacted me through Couchsurfing because she wanted to spend a night with us.

She arrived after dinner Friday and she was just as lovely as I had imagined. We had great discussions about hospitality stays, the Center, her hometown and more. We immediately felt at ease with one another and sparked an immediate friendship. The next day we took her for a lovely drive through South County and then a nice boat ride with a different view of the area. By the time we returned to the house, she had to turn and go. We were both sorry that she couldn’t stay longer. Next time…

I understand Utrecht is a beautiful place and definitely going on my list.

Out of Africa

April 23, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Brian, Ellie, Namory & Laurie at the National Zoo

Laurie showing Namory around beautiful Annapolis

We don’t get many guests from Africa. Namory was a surfer from Cote d’Ivoire, Africa. He came alone to spend a week or two in the greater Washington area. He was very fortunate to be with us during the 4th of July. As a stroke of luck, I happen to be having my own float ion the largely popular Annapolis 4th of July parade. He had never been to the US and ended up being in a good old fashioned parade!! He was soooo excited! We really enjoyed his company and maintain regular hellos on Facebook.

He hopes to come back with his family someday. I hope to get to Africa soon…

Hola

April 22, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Laurie, Imma, Ellie, Brian, Claudia & Miguel

I had been corresponding with a family from Barcelona. They had wanted to exchange homes but due to the timing of their stay in the US, I was unable to swap. So, of course, I invited them to do a non-simultaneous hospitality exchange. They actually came and stayed for a week while we were away on vacation in Panama. Then they came back in March for another week with us.

Having fun in the swimming pool

Sharing ice cream at our favorite downtown spot

Imma, Miguel and Claudia were the best! Their 3 year old Claudia and my 3 year old (Ellie) were running around playing the entire time. Every morning Ellie awoke and immediately asked “where is Claudia?”. We went shopping at Sam’s Club – bought bunch food prepared and shared many meals together. It was great because my husband was traveling again or work.

We took the kids to the public pool, gymnastics, to our favorite ice cream shop, etc. It was like having family visit, only better! We practiced our Spanish and they practiced English. I even found them places to get free English classes.

One night my mom babysat the two girls so the adults could get some social time at one o our favorite local hang outs – Rams Head. My husband shared with them his favorite local brew and local fare.

We REALLY were very sad to see the wonderful new friends we made – go home.

We are definitely heading to Spain in the near future to visit our friends Imma, Miguel and Claudia!!

Kat in the Hat

April 16, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Our friendship started with Richard’s first visit to our home for a boat show. He was a CouchSurfer – not the typical 20 something college student. He was a very kind and interesting man from Atlanta. We had great discussions on life and politics. We shared our common love for a life near the water.

I took him to one of our favorite restaurants Yellowfin where Richard, my baby and I all enjoyed ourselves.

Laurie, baby Ellie and “Surfer” Richard enjoying a meal at Yellowfin

Richard later returned with his better half Kat but they didn’t require a place to lay their head. They were in fact cruising their boat Kat in the Hat on the Great Loop and we were on one of their stops. It was great catching up and getting to know Kat. They invited us, as well other guests we were hosting, to join them for drinks on their boat. It was a very nice, large cruising vessel, on which to enjoy a lovely evening in Annapolis. Another night we all had a lovely dinner at the Fleet Reserve Club, a great place to view the water.

Laurie & Brian with Couchsurfing Friends at the Fleet Reserve Club

My husband was away on business at the time. Kat and Richard were setting off to continue their journey north and invited us along for a bit. I was very intrigued to take my daughter and get away for a bit with our Couchsurfing friends. I politely and reluctantly asked for a rain check. Believe me – I will cash in that rain check someday.

My husband did happen to be on business trip to Atlanta recently. I quickly reminded him that our friends Richard and Kat live there and he should look them up. My husband ended up meeting them for dinner and getting a nice break from eating alone on the road.

As it happens, we often try to reconnect with guests. We now have so many friends around the world!

Peaceful Lake Retreat

April 16, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Location, location, location. I believe if you live in an interesting area people will always want to exchange with you. I get requests to exchange so often, that many of them I have to reluctantly refuse the offer.

In 2013 we did a fantastic home exchange right here in the good old USA. People might think you have to swap with some exotic location in another part of the world, but there are great places within a car ride.

We had an unbelievable offer from a beautiful custom built woodland retreat house on a private lake in the Adirondacks of NY. I am not normally the mountain type of person, more so a beach any day. We filled up the gas tank, loaded up the SUV and took a lovely drive up through PA and NY into an area which I am totally unfamiliar.

It was a rather large house and IT WAS FANTASTIC! We were only 3 in our party so I had asked a girlfriend and her daughter to join us. It was so my daughter would have a playmate and It worked out really well.

That’s another great advantage of swapping a home – you can invite others along if you wish. You could even arrange to swap two houses along with a family member or friend – and all go on vacation together without being too cramped.

The house was like something out of Architectural Digest. My house is a very modest duplex – why would they want to trade with me – LOCATION!

We took long walks on the beautiful, bucolic grounds and private driveway (2 miles long I think). We roasted marshmallows in the outdoor fire pit and relaxed immensely in the great outdoors. We enjoyed breathtaking views of our private lake – while dining and doing yoga every day. Oh yes, and that amazing house had a gourmet kitchen and large playroom for the kids. Don’t forget the master bedroom with a large sliding glass door and a view of the lake.

The owner’s brother lived in another house up the road. We drove by one day and invited them to join us with drinks by the fire. We ended up making new friends and our kids found new playmates!

There was so much to do in the area with all of the area lakes, small towns, outdoor concerts, and bike rides with the ones we brought from home. We even indulged in a day at Six Flags Great Escape, where we were able to use our Six Flags season passes from home and enter free of charge (one day of commercialism allowed 🙂 ).

Laurie, Ellie & Brian exploring Lake George, NY

It was a fantastic, frugal, family vacation. We ate most every meal at home, paid nothing for accommodations and yet had one of our best family vacations!

Going Dutch (Not Literally)

April 16, 2015 by Laurie Deppa Leave a Comment

Chris, Tom and Brian relaxing in our home

Tom and Christine had contacted me a week or two ago about staying with us. He is Dutch and Christine is American but living in Amsterdam as well. They are experienced “surfers” and they seem like really nice and interesting people.

They texted and said they would arrive about 8:30. We were about to hop in the hot tub so we held off until our guests arrived, hoping that they would like to join us. Five minutes after arrival we were all getting to know one another with a nice hot soak. It was a beautiful night with enjoyable company. We continued our conversations, took some photos and invited them to come back soon.

My daughter Ellie greatly enjoyed entertaining them and interacting with them as well!

One night – too short of a stay but still very enjoyable for both parties.