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As all seasoned travelers know, it's the people just as much as the place that makes a trip exceptional. Whether it's a cabbie divulging the best hole-in-the-wall dim-sum joint in town or, simply, a hotel receptionist who's particularly kind after you arrive four hours later than scheduled because of flight delays, more often than not, locals are the key element that can make a good vacation fantastic.
And sometimes, the people you meet don't just enhance your trip—they make it possible, a point that was proven in a recent news story.
A 24-year-old woman named Catherine Li has spent the last seven months traveling by herself across America—on foot!—with little more than the clothes on her back, a direction guide printed off of Google maps, and a tent. She hauls her belongings in a shopping cart that was given to her by a sympathetic mall security guard at a Sears store in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Already Li has trekked some 3,000 miles on her way to New York City—a real-life Forrest Gump!—but what makes her story really interesting, I think, is how much other people have aided her on her journey. From the concerned cop who checks in on her weekly by phone to the guy who let her crash on his couch and the mall security guard who let her take that shopping cart, countless strangers she met along the way have helped make her dream trip a reality.
Watch an interview clip with Li, during her short stay in Philadelphia:
All of this got us thinking: How have your trips benefited from the help of locals? We'd love to hear your stories!
MORE FROM BUDGET TRAVEL:
What Is the Most Memorable Place You've Ever Visited?
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I wouldn't say "saved" but I've always encountered incredibly friendly people on vacation. When I went to Croatia last year, I couldn't get my cell phone to work for the life of me. I had rented apartments in three cities and needed to call the owners to meet me at the property. In three different cities, I found a generous stranger who let me use their mobile to call the owner. Stuff like this makes me love traveling...when I see tourists in my own city, I always try to point them in the right direction or give them assistance if I can.
Posted By Brian on September 26, 2011, 7:53 PM
Years ago, my daughter and I traveled to South America. When ending our trip, we used up all our local currency, so we would not have to exchange it. When we got to the airport, we discovered that we had to pay an exit fee. My CC was refused (found out later they had plugged in the wrong number) and we were getting desperate to make our plane. A man in a suit walked by, heard the desperation in my voice, asked how much we needed - $20. He handed it over and headed off to his own pursuits, with barely time for thanks. We raced to the counter, and made our flight just before the doors closed. What a saviour!
Posted By Judi on September 26, 2011, 10:07 PM
We were ending a trip to Germany in April 2010 just as the Iceland volcano erupted and ended up staying with people I had never met for a week as we tried to get flights back to Chicago. (They were friends of friends of friends.) In addition to lodging, they took us on tours of their favorite spots in Bavaria, provided endless beer, terrific food and constant entertainment. I have never met nicer people and after they showed us Munich we were off to Herrenchiemsee, Salzburg, Regensburg, Tegern See, and other sites too numerous and fabulous to mention. Our stay ended with them getting up before dawn to drive us to the airport. This trip wasn't just saved by strangers (who are now friends), it was turned into an unforgettable adventure.
Posted By Neil on September 27, 2011, 5:48 PM
We were at the start of a kayaking and snorkeling trip to several small Japanese islands located quite a distance from the mainland when my heel was punctured to the bone by some coral and we suffered several other large cuts. My Japanese phrase book was not helpful and the resourceful master of the house we stayed at all of a sudden pulled out his cell phone, made a call and then handed the phone to me. At the other end of the line was a Midwestern-sounding, English-speaking woman. Takako lived on the island and gave up her afternoon to ensure that we received medical treatment for our injuries. From being taken to the village nurse (no doctor on the island where we were staying), traveling by village boat to a neighboring island and back again, and repeating the process the next day, we knew that Takako’s assistance made the difference between having to go home two days after vacation started or being able to continue for the next four weeks. The best part, Takako learned to speak English about 30 minutes north of where I was born and attended high school. We even spoke about favorite restaurants and places to visit!
Posted By Laurie on September 30, 2011, 11:59 PM
We were at the start of a kayaking and snorkeling trip to several small Japanese islands located quite a distance from the mainland when my heel was punctured to the bone by some coral and we suffered several other large cuts. My Japanese phrase book was not helpful and the resourceful master of the house we stayed at all of a sudden pulled out his cell phone, made a call and then handed the phone to me. At the other end of the line was a Midwestern-sounding, English-speaking woman. Takako lived on the island and gave up her afternoon to ensure that we received medical treatment for our injuries. From being taken to the village nurse (no doctor on the island where we were staying), traveling by village boat to a neighboring island and back again, and repeating the process the next day, we knew that Takako’s assistance made the difference between having to go home two days after vacation started or being able to continue for the next four weeks. The best part, Takako learned to speak English about 30 minutes north of where I was born and attended high school. We even spoke about favorite restaurants and places to visit!
Posted By Laurie on October 1, 2011, 12:00 AM
When I arrived on Ischia (an island in the Bay of Naples, next to Capri)my taxi driver took me to my hotel, the Best Western. However, as Pipo, said-- Is Closed! So, there I was on an island in Italy with nowhere to stay. Pipo graciously offered to take me to another hotel-- the Hotel Embasciatori (right on the sea, which the BW was not!) And when they didn't have a room for me toward the end of my stay, they carried my luggage to a really nice little local guesthouse (Hotel Diana) for the final 2 nights of my stay!
Posted By Christine on October 15, 2011, 1:41 AM
Yes. Being a religious person, I firmly believe that God occasionally sends angels, or other agents, to guide us on our way. Once, in Rome, it was a little old lady who said she was from Belgium working as a tour guide, who showed us how to negotiate the Rome bus system so we did not loose half a day when Colosseum workers went on strike. And, again, in Spain, when two young men, knowing little English, drew us a map so we could find our way to our Parador, located up a winding hill.
Posted By mbeth on October 25, 2011, 6:42 AM