Red Eye

"Throw some tea and bread in an old sack and jump over the back fence."
John Muir

I believe that other travelers you meet on a first trip abroad can make quite an impact on your future travels. The two travelers that inspired me most to see the world as an observer, rather than a tourist, may never have traveled out of Europe.

Nienke and Rosanna, two Danish girls I met in Switzerland, completely changed the way I saw another culture.

I met the two while working at a chateau in southern Switzerland. Nienke had worked at the chateau a few months before, and was back with her friend to visit a fellow worker. The first few days I was so busy cleaning dishes and mopping floors I didn't notice that the two would leave at 7 a.m. and return at 11 p.m. the same night. When I finally had my day off, I tagged along with the two for a simple trip to Geneva, only a half hour away.

My first surprise was actually getting to Geneva. As I headed for the clean and expensive train that I became accustomed to the previous week, the two led me to the autobond. Hitchhiking was new to me. They told me to hide behind them (guys don't exactly nab an easy ride) and the first car picked us up.

When we arrived in Geneva, the two just seemed to wander around. While I was preoccupied with my watch and map, I still followed the two. If a street looked interesting, we walked down it. If a building looked inviting, we went in it. If a person seemed intriguing, we talked to them. If there was a plan for that day, it was only to get a feel for the place before the last train departure. I was fortunate to experience other quick getaways with the two before they went home. Ever since then I've rarely had a plan but usually found an adventure.

To those picking this magazine up for the first time, this is a free bi-monthly travel magazine completely written and produced by college students and recent graduates. After two years of distribution in California, we are going national. Some may notice our new look, thanks to creative director Bonnie Yoon. New articles. New layout. Same free advice. Let us know how we are doing.

Stay on the move,

Eric