When Bad Road Trips Happen to Good People

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Several of you have questioned my past involvement in CouchSurfing. Is it safe? (Yes, if you’re smart about how you use it.) How do you know the people you meet won’t be psycho? (In general, “psychos” don’t join such spirited organizations. If they are indeed psychos, you go elsewhere.) Will they steal my stuff? (Now why on Earth would someone travel 8,000 miles to sleep on your couch and steal your iPod?!) While my participation has waned in recent years, as I’ve started to cover more luxury travel and less budget, I did do a good amount of press for the non-profit at one point. I’d argue till my face is blue that it’s a perfectly noble organization and that people need not be so trepidatious. HA. Here’s where you get to lay a big “told ya so!” on me.*

When I decided to tack a week in New Zealand onto my trip to the Cook Islands, I knew the only way I’d be able to see even a slice of the North Island in such a limited time was by car. Simply put, there aren’t that frequent of bus services in NZ, and when they do run, they take about double the time of driving. Well, I’m not the best of drivers when cruising on the side of the road I’m used to; I wasn’t about to drive on the left side for the first time alone. As I was traveling solo, a method I’m quite used to by now, I decided to look into a travel companion, so I turned to CouchSurfing as I’d (successfully) done so often in the past.

I posted a note on the New Zealand group with my dates and itinerary seeing if anyone wanted to go with me and split the cost of a car and gas (incredibly cheap by American standards, as it turns out; my five days rental including full insurance turned out to be a $82). Forrest** was the first to reply, as did four others subsequently, but in the end, they all bailed. That was probably for the best, as I was given a dingy white Nissan Sunny that barely fit Forrest’s and my luggage.

From the first day, things did not start off well. Forrest was supposed to meet me at the Omega rental center out by Auckland airport at 7:30am. I wanted to do the 10am blackwater rafting experience in the Waitomo Caves, and we had a lot of ground to cover to make it on time. By 7:45, he hadn’t shown up, so I called him. He was walking the five kilometers there, because he had apparently gone to the wrong place and was too cheap to take public transportation (helps to check where you’re going ahead of time; little did I know, this lack of planning would be a trend). So I told him to stay there, I’d come to him. I found him after about five minutes of scouring the Auckland highways, though I should have been able to smell his stench a few miles away (he’s one of these puritans who doesn’t believe in deodorant or regular bathing, it seems). Great, this is going to be a smelly few days; too bad, my nasal passages are clear for the first time in months (thanks, NetiPot!).

Still, this guy had been on the road for four years solid; I thought he’d have some interesting stories to tell, unique light to shed on some places I’d never been. Not so much. Before we were even out of Auckland, I’d heard about at least have a dozen ladies he’d allegedly screwed across the Eastern Hemisphere. “I break hearts; I’ve never had my heart broken.” So glad we’re mature here. He was but 23, and a young 23 at that, but still. I don’t need to hear about your conquests, please and thanks. I’m a Southern lady.

I felt like this guy’s sole purpose of the trip was to annoy and counter me. Pictures are futile; people should visit places themselves if they want to know what Tongariro looks like. (If you read this site often, you know I take a lot of photos.) Americans are vapid and vain and care far too much about their appearance (directed at me when he asked point blank if I’d had braces; yes, because my teeth never grew in after my babies fell out—how was I supposed to eat?!). Isla Fisher is Australian, he insisted, after I had told him she was born in Oman and raised by British parents (guess who was right? take that, hippie!). Careers are for lame people who want to settle. You can see why one might begin to get annoyed. I guess I should have known in the beginning he was going to be this anti-establishment type; when I asked where he was from, he answered: “Nowhere.” Everyone’s from somewhere. Just because I’ve lived in California, New York, Scotland, Arizona, Denmark and Holland in recent years doesn’t mean I would hesitate to answer “Tennessee” when asked that same question. (For the record, he was “from” Ireland and had lived there his entire life up until his backpacking began, though his distaste for the incredibly beautiful country was palpable.)

Our first destination was the Waitomo Caves, an experience I’m glad Auburn suggested (I’ll blog about it when I can find the pictures they gave me; it was truly awesome). I had told Forrest in advance that he didn’t have to join me on any of the acitivites, as I know not everyone—particularly backpackers traversing the planet for four years—isn’t interested in forking over $75 for five hours of adrenaline-inducing fun. I said I would drop him off in town and pick him up when I was done. But no, he wanted to do it. And then proceeded to complain about the price for the rest of the day—“I’m not used to spending so much money on luxury activities”—as if I threatened to throw him in the Waikato if he didn’t do it.

That night, we continued on to Whakapapa Village. Bear in mind, I had sent him the itinerary more than a week in advance so he could arrange his own accommodation, as we had previously discussed. When we arrived in the village, which has—at most—three hotel options, I asked where I was dropping him. “Well, since you’re already paying for a hotel, I figured I’d just stay with you.” Um, NO. So I was stuck with finding this guy a room. In the end, I found a bed in the backpackers wing of the Skotel behind the Chateau. It was $22 a night. He complained. “I’m not used to spending so much money on hotels. I only paid $3 a night for places to stay in Asia.” Um, newsflash: You’re not in Asia anymore. If you like living so frugally, why don’t you go back to Bangladesh where you came from?! It’s a national park, what do you expect? He’s only lucky there was even budget accommodation available.

After he was checked in, we went to the Skotel’s restaurant to eat dinner. He walked in with barefeet, as he doesn’t believe in shoes. The woman rightfully told him he couldn’t come in without shoes. He grumbled, saying how stupid a policy that was and how no one else made him wear shoes. Disrespectful any? I’ve never been in an eating establishment where they permitted you to enter sans footwear, unless it was a beach bar. Before we parted ways that night, I told him: “They have Internet here. You can go arrange your stay in Taupo and Rotorua the next two nights so we don’t have to go through this again.”

The next day was the Tongariro hike. You have no idea how thrilled I was about being on a seven-hour trek with this guy. But then, as he was wont to do, he took off on another trail up to the peak of the volcano, meaning I had to wait around for him for three hours afterward (he had the car keys, I no longer had a hotel room). All I wanted to do was get to Taupo, but again, this dude was putting a crimp in my plans.

He never did pay me for his part of the car. Granted, it wasn’t pricey, but I only assumed the two times I filled up for gas, he’d offer to pay. But no, I guess that’s how mooches get by in life: taking advantage of the kindness of others. My Southern upbringing means I’m horrible about discussing money, so I was too timid to (politely) demand he pay at each gas station. I was just going to ask for half at the end of the trip, but…well, read on.

When we got to Taupo that afternoon, again I asked where to drop him.

“Um, I don’t know. I don’t have anything arranged.”

“I asked you last night to find a place.”

“Well, I didn’t do it.”

“You’re irresponsible.”

“I know. I don’t plan things in advance.”

“Well, your lack of planning inconveniences others.”

“I know. So what?”

At that point, I had had it. I drove to the center of Taupo, found a hostel, dropped him off, and went to my bed and breakfast for the night. He had the nerve to ask if I wanted to come back and have dinner with him. Hell no. I ate with the lovely owners of the Point View Lodge instead, to whom I relayed the story. They were not amused with the Backpacker and suggested I get rid of him first thing in the morning. I felt guilty, but I knew they were right. This was my trip, and he was ruining it. They suggested I tell him I had met them, decided to stay in Taupo as opposed to going to Rotorua, and that they were going to set up a packed itinerary for me. (Technically true—they tried, it just didn’t happen, thanks to my arrival coinciding with “winter” in New Zealand, meaning many of the outdoors operations were scaling down.)

After going on my bungy jump in the morning, I called him, quickly gave the news and said I would drop off the rest of his stuff, before he had time to talk me out of it. You know what his response was? “I thought you said you’d call at 10am. I’ve been waiting around all morning.” (It was 11:15.)(Now we’re getting technical?) I went by the hostel, gave him his other bag and said an awkward good-bye. I could tell he wasn’t pleased, but at that point, I was so beyond the whole situation. I felt like a huge burden had been lifted, and the rest of my trip went swimmingly.

I’ve been waiting for the moment when he leaves some awful review on my CouchSurfing page for ditching him, but it hasn’t happened yet. What would you have done? Would you have lasted longer than me? Taken him the whole way? Been a little bit less passive aggressive and nipped it in the bud from the start?

*Not his real name. He has such a distinguishable monniker and is known by so many on CouchSurfing that if you were a member, you might be acquainted with him. I’m all about airing my dirty laundry on my own blog, but I’ll at least show him the decency of keeping his name off of it. He did, however, remind me of Forrest Gump, during the part of the movie where Forrest ran for three years without shaving his beard or cutting his hair. He was one hairy beast, my roadtripping companion.

**Disclaimer: I am in no way discouraging the use of CouchSurfing. I still think, when used properly, it is a great organization, and this one negative incident in years of positive ones won’t keep me from using it. It will, however, prevent me from ever inviting a complete stranger along for a road trip again….

COMMENTS
  • April 6, 2009

    Damn, girl. You had a helluva lot more patience with this guy than I would have. I probably would have kicked him out of the car after the first hour! And demanded the money up front. Good for you for getting rid of him! (And if he posts a crappy review of you on couchsurfing, can’t you do the same to him? I mean, his behaviour was so clearly unacceptable!)

  • April 6, 2009

    Oh my god. My favorite part is how he DOESN’T BELIEVE IN SHOES. I had no idea believing in shoes was optional! I hope he at least believed in them WHILE HE WAS HIKING — I can’t imagine doing THAT barefoot.

  • April 6, 2009

    You are way more patient than I. Good on you for ditching that leach!

  • April 6, 2009

    Even though I’ve been on Couchsurfing for several years now, I’ve never done anything like this with a member for fear of something like that happening to me. What a whiny little hippie! I probably would not have even let him in the car to begin with given the stench. I’m sorry about your crappy experience!

  • April 6, 2009

    I believe the technical term to describe a person like this is DOUCHEBAG ASSFACE.

    I probably would have handled it about the same way you did. You tried to give him a chance, you tried to be flexible and overlook whole “worldly cynic” shtick but he wasn’t offering you the same courtesies.

    Jeez. You’d think someone who has traveled so much of the world would have some clue about the world and its people.

  • April 6, 2009

    Wow you lasted longer than I would have! You have the patience of a saint I tell you

  • April 6, 2009

    Ouch!!That’s one travel story I’m sure you could do without… Way nicer than I would have been!

  • April 6, 2009

    How awful that Forrest ruined your trip! You are too kind Kristin – most of us would not have put up with his nonsense. You were right in ditching him!

  • April 6, 2009

    Kristin, you are WAY too nice….although to be honest I probably would have handled things the same way you did (damn those manners and not being able to confront people about money….i need to work on that).

    I’m actually using couchsurfing for my trip to Spain and France….it’ll be my first time but I’ve heard so many great things about it that I’m positive it will work out well. besides, if you contact people early enough you may have the opportunity to friend them through facebook or some other networking site and “get to know” them a little bit before the trip.

  • April 6, 2009

    Wow, I would have ditched him sooner. But the interesting thing is, although you do occasionally get the overly hippie, overly “frugal”, annoying type like this on CS, he also wasn’t unsafe. He didn’t steal your stuff, he didn’t make inappropriate advances – he was just a bad travel companion. So in a way this still doesn’t discredit CS! I would still use the site if I was travelling again to find a place to stay or a travel companion, despite your experience. It’s worth it when you find really great people.

  • April 6, 2009

    I think I saw that guy camping out in the mountains out here for the last Rainbow Gathering 🙂

    At least you got a good story out of him!

  • April 6, 2009
    Kelly

    That is slightly insane. Although I hate talking about money; I think I would have demanded the $$ at least for gas. I hate when people take advantage. Good work taking charge and ending his free ride earlier than planned.

  • April 6, 2009
    Amy

    Wow. I’m such a planner that I probably would have lost my shit when he didn’t have a place to stay the first night. You have my respect for putting up with him as long as you did!

  • April 6, 2009
    Samantha MacInnis

    Unreal – I think you’re right though, that’s how these people get by in life. They are willing to be horrible, and then act like something is wrong with the other person when they finally get fed up and kick them to the curb. Very nice of your hosts to offer you support, though!

  • April 6, 2009

    First of all, you’re waaaay more patient that I am. But then again, when I drove up and saw him walking along-side the road without shoes and looking like the Unibomber I probably would have driven right by and pretended to be someone else. If it works with blind dates, it works with smelly hippies!
    Also, I love the way you casually said, “After going on my bungy jump in the morning,” as if you’d said, “After going on my morning swim,” or “After reading the morning paper.” Suddenly I feel extremely lame.

  • April 6, 2009

    Whoa, what a bum deal. I think you were very patient and polite, maybe for too long. Yet not every road trip is perfect.

  • April 7, 2009

    You survivd much longer than I would have. At least you have another story to tell people in the yeasr to come as It doesn’t sound like you’ll forget Forrest for a fair while.

  • April 7, 2009

    you were super patient! you did the right thing! I would have asked for the car and gas money though! I know it’s a touchy subject and many times uncomfortable but… he was inconvient and impolite to not offer to pay or at least mention something like – I’ll pay you at the end of the trip or something!
    hope the rest of the trip was a better experience! 😉

  • April 7, 2009

    Whoa. This Forest fellow sounds like a real catch. I don’t fault you for not ditching him sooner. I’m the type that tends to give people the beneift of the doubt, sometimes to a fault. It generally takes a lot to push me over the edge and then once I’ve gone there, I feel bad. So yeah, I would have done the same as you. And then taken my frustrations to my blog. That’s what they’re for, right?

  • April 7, 2009
    Bethany

    Wow, that sounds horrible. I think you handled it perfectly, though, and were well within your rights to do so. I hope you managed to have some fun anyway!

  • April 7, 2009

    This is just further proof of your awesomeness. I would have lost it long before you did.

  • April 7, 2009

    OMG. What an ass! He doesn’t believe in shoes? What the hell does that even mean? I’m sorry he ruined part of your trip, but I’m glad you ditched him.

  • April 7, 2009

    It sounds like your personalities just clashed. I bet he reminds you of someone you hate, or the things you never want to become. That’s unfortunate that most of your memories will be tainted with this guy.. though hopefully you can laugh about it later.

  • April 8, 2009

    Well, he’s a character, that’s for sure!

  • April 8, 2009

    Ugh, what an experience. There are definitely travel mooches out there. In general though, I have had only 100 percent great experiences with Couch Surfing everywhere from my first stay with someone in Ireland to meeting locals for dinner last week in Beijing! Couch surfing rules..! 😉

  • December 6, 2012

    It definitely happens, which is why, when I do road trips longer than a few days, I meet up with the CouchSurfers in advance to make sure our travel styles are similar. The most-frequent issue I come up against is budgets. I’m by no means a luxury traveller, but I will spend $22 a night for a warm bed and hot shower in Aus/Nz. I’ve had travel companions complain about the cost of accommodation, and the cost of a $10 meal. It seems CS attracts the real ‘budget’ travellers out there.

    • December 6, 2012

      [Breathing life back into a 2009 article] 4 years on, and this story is still relevant.

  • October 16, 2015

    Hahaha Forrest what a dude. Good work on fronting up and ditching him, sounds like your decision was only fair given his lack of contribution. Happy you enjoyed the rest of your time in NZ

  • May 9, 2017

    Please do not let it stop you coming back or trying more experiences here, we are pretty accommodating bunch and love travellers and their stories. I do think sharing expenses is wise but definate need someone you are eye to eye with, so you do have fun. Compatibility is so important for travelling. I hope you had fun at Taupo, there is also alot past Taupo that is fun for adventure seekers.

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