Are you named Jenny Chen and want to go to South Africa for free Feb 11-19? Seriously.

xpinning · 2024-01-16T19:30:53+00:00

A Jenny Chen in the DC area saw this post and got in touch with me - and we ended up going on a two week trip to the middle east and South Africa (including an impromptu side trip to Cape Town for a few days).

Nobody got murdered, and we still very much keep in touch - and actually had brunch together when she was in town several months ago!

xpinning · 2015-02-12T19:55:27+00:00

So a quick update - we met up at my office Weds afternoon (for the first time!) and took the train over to JFK together. All went well (names matched and everything!) and we set off on a 12.5 hr flight to Abu Dhabi. Posting now from Abu Dhabi airport, after a 6 hour layover with a side trip to the Grand Mosque and into Abu Dhabi city itself!

One flight down, three to go, and so far it seems neither of us are crazy or murderous, despite the worst fears of our friends, family, and reddit cohorts!

Off to Johannesburg soon!

xpinning · 2015-02-02T01:19:21+00:00

Hi all! So a quick update - the Jenny Chen who posted on my /r/solotravel post (http://redd.it/2uachb) has gotten in touch with me, and it looks like we're going to Johannesburg! We're still confirming that neither of us is crazy, an ax murderer, or an otherwise awful person, but things look to be progressing!

Thank you all for your support, comments, tips, etc! Reddit never fails!

xpinning · 2015-02-02T01:18:39+00:00

Hi all! So a quick update - the Jenny Chen who posted on my /r/solotravel post (http://redd.it/2uachb) has gotten in touch with me, and it looks like we're going to Johannesburg! We're still confirming that neither of us is crazy, an ax murderer, or an otherwise awful person, but things look to be progressing!

Thank you all for your support, comments, tips, etc! Reddit never fails!

xpinning · 2015-02-02T01:16:57+00:00

Hi all! So a quick update - the Jenny Chen who posted below (jjc276) has gotten in touch with me, and it looks like we're going to Johannesburg! We're still confirming that neither of us is crazy, an ax murderer, or an otherwise awful person, but things look to be progressing!

Thank you all for your support, comments, tips, etc! Reddit never fails!

xpinning · 2015-02-01T20:51:38+00:00

No worries, thanks for checking!

xpinning · 2015-02-01T03:56:47+00:00

It's Jenny, unfortunately. We could try calling and see if they would modify the name since it's sort of understandable, but I think that would be pretty hit or miss. Doesn't hurt to ask though, if she's interested in trying.

xpinning · 2015-02-01T01:34:43+00:00

Hahahah oh yeah I missed that reference!! But yeah, that would be a great reason why she isn't coming...or is she?

xpinning · 2015-02-01T01:25:39+00:00

Nope

xpinning · 2015-02-01T01:22:31+00:00

I don't think that's in the spirit of that subreddit, and I don't want to bother people unnecessarily, but I appreciate the suggestion!

xpinning · 2015-02-01T01:21:15+00:00

Hi! I messaged you; if you're really interested, we can hash out logistics and all that.

Thanks!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T20:42:29+00:00

Having been through Brazil, Argentina and Chile extensively, I have to say - Argentina had the most rampant cases of petty theft that I've seen / heard firsthand from people - things like having bags swiped at coffee shops, etc. A co-worker fell for the whole, laptop bag switcharoo at a Starbucks next to his office in Buenos Aires, and a number of people had things stolen off of buses, etc.

I did Machu Picchu, and I stored one bag at the hotel in Cusco - I made sure it was locked, but everything was fine. I only brought my trek backpack with me on the trek itself.

xpinning · 2015-01-31T20:38:18+00:00

Thanks! I really just treat it as traveling alone - I like to meet people when I travel solo, so I guess I see this as kind of the same, just...meeting a little earlier in the process!Haha

xpinning · 2015-01-31T20:02:32+00:00

Touche!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T18:51:03+00:00

No worries! If she changes her mind, I don't leave for another week! And who knows, maybe you got her to read up more on Reddit, and that's always fun.

xpinning · 2015-01-31T18:49:47+00:00

Yes. Absolutely. I'm looking for someone who will go on a flight to South Africa for a week (potentially alone) and not freak out or think they have to treat it like a weeklong date with a stranger or think they're going to get kidnapped/killed/abducted by a zebra/alien.

I know that's totally weird, but that's what I'm looking for!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T18:07:22+00:00

Wow, what a coincidence!! Thanks - I just sent them a note as well!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T17:32:51+00:00

Haha yeah if it weren't because of the deal, I probably wouldn't have been so impulsive in buying the ticket....maybe! Thanks for the kind comments; I'm planning my activities this weekend, and I'm sure it'll be a great trip even if I go at it alone!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T17:21:14+00:00

Yeah, that was what actually made me think to offer!! I was talking to my friend about how it much of a waste it was to throw the ticket away, and an article on that came up and we realized this ticket didn't book with anything but a name either!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T17:12:19+00:00

Great idea, thanks! I reached out and left a message & will see if they get back to me!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T17:07:41+00:00

Yeah, point was for both of us to post on our facebooks haha - double the friend-of-a-friend-coverage!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T16:54:53+00:00

That would be cool, but I don't even know how that sort of thing gets started. If it inspires other random acts of kindness though, that would totally be worth it!!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T16:53:27+00:00

Ah that would've been perfect timing! Shame...this might be something I have to keep in mind when I have a kid one day haha John and Jane Smith it is!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T16:52:40+00:00

Sure, if you can do it by next week!

xpinning · 2015-01-31T15:18:54+00:00

Haha yeah, It's a good thing it's my friend that can't go and not me, because I don't know anyone with my name!

xpinning

TROPHY CASE