Connections Cover Summer issue #32, 2011

Cover for the Connections magazine with the theme of Passion

First published in the Connections magazine #32 Winter 2011, a publication of Connect International

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

What's Hot, What's Not! - CouchSurfing

Participate in Creating a Better World, One Couch At A Time

There are many ways to travel the world, whether it is on foot or by mechanical means, but at the end of each day we all need a place to rest our heads and stash our baggage. This calls to mind the well-sung words of a 1983 UK chart topper by Paul Young, ‘Wherever I lay my hat is my home’.

When travelling aboard, there are a multitude of options and types of places to stay on the market and budgets vary accordingly. A hotel, however, whilst a comfortable option on the one hand, remains an impersonal one, even after you have finished plundering the mini bar. Also, from your ivory tower you have to make a concerted effort to get out and get to know the city and its inhabitants and hope that your guidebook is still up to date. 

Enter an increasingly popular solution in the form of CouchSurfing. No, this is not a modern twist on the Walt Disney musical Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). CouchSurfing is a non-profit organization that was set up in 2004, and boasts connections in 230 countries and territories around the world. Their aim is to promote cultural exchange, understanding of others, friendship and education amongst world citizens.

By becoming a member you become part of an international community of travelers and can Surf or Host or both. Hosting is when people around the world offer their ‘couch’, as a place to stay to someone planning on visiting their country, the length of time being pre-determined between the two parties. Or you can Surf for ‘couches’, in countries you would like to visit. The only requirement of becoming a member of CouchSurfing is that you too will reciprocate your ‘couch’ to a fellow traveler at some stage in your life. On top of this via their website community, they also organize regional events and activities.

The advantages of such an exchange are many. By staying with the people local to an area, it is a far more interesting way to explore a new country. From your host up to date information on places of interest, things to see and do will be at your fingertips, plus if you get on particularly well with them you may even be included to join in their social scene. It’s a way of leaving the realms of total tourist behind and being privy to a country from your host’s perspective as well. Also, from reading a few of the testimonials on their website, a far cheaper option than the afore mentioned hotel. For the host there is the fun of meeting new people and learning about new cultures from around the world without leaving the comfort of their home and of course they can also use CouchSurfing too and may even end up on your couch in the future!  

For more information: CouchSurfing

First published in the Connections magazine #26 Winter 2009

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Winter #18 2008

Cover for the Connections Winter issue 2008

First published in the Connections magazine #18 Winter 2008 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Autumn #17 2007

Cover of Connections Autumn 2007

First published in the Connections magazine #17 Autumn 2007 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Summer #16 2007

Cover Connections Summer issue 2007

First published in the Connections magazine #16 Summer 2007 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Spring #15 2007

Cover Connections Spring issue

First published in the Connections magazine #15 Spring 2007 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Winter #14 2006

Cover Connections Winter issue

Photo: featured artist, Jim Gamblin.

First published in the Connections magazine #14 Winter 2006 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs

Connections Magazine - Autumn #13 2006

Cover Connections Autumn issue

Second Connections cover, this time sporting a detachable badge to celebrate 10 years of Connect International. I wonder if there are any still kicking around out there or can they be found amongst the toys of some kids?

First published in the Connections magazine #13 Autumn 2006 

View all issues of Connections HERE (editor, designer, illustrator: 2006-2013)

©  Alison Day Designs