June Freebird of the Month: Merry

Every month we like to talk to members of the Club and hear a bit from them on their experiences of travelling, meeting up and occasionally hosting. As Freebird Club gathers pace and new members continue to come on board we think it’s important to shine a light on some of the leading members and what they’ve been getting up to.

If you’d like to feature or know someone who deserves to get a shout out then by all means send us an email to hello@thefreebirdclub.com.

And if you’d like to join Freebird Club and start mingling with like minded travellers and hosters then you can sign up here.

Introducing: Merry

Merry hails from New York City and has been a Freebird for a wee while with us.

She loves to travel and explore new cultures; as an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. Merry tells us she’s drawn to great conversations, she’s interested in people, their viewpoints and opinions, and importantly loves to laugh (including at herself) so she seeks out talented comedians.

In Merry’s down time she likes to watch documentaries and good films. She can often be found taking long walks, enjoying (most) music and dancing to many performances (even those not so seasoned professionals).

Merry is just about to go back to school with interests in astronomy, physics and technology. Which we think makes sense with her mantra that: The best is yet to come!

Take it away Merry:

What do you like about connecting with people online?

“I love the surprise factor; never knowing who will show up yet feeling secure they are part of a community I belong to so there’s at least a smidge of commonality.”

What’s the best way to strike up conversation with fellow members online?

“Ask for help. I do believe there’s a natural element in all of us which inspires us to be of assistance to others. We’re resourceful, creative and kind whereby lending a hand is actually innate and honorable, bringing out the best in us (and who doesn’t want that?).”

What are you most proud of about your local area that you’d like Freebirds to know about?

“I live in New York, a megacity of almost 19 million people on relatively small square footage where over 600 languages are spoken and for the most part we get along, live our lives and stay beautifully human to one another. I “gush” over the fact that we are a symbol of diversity and multiculturalism that works on a planet where so much divisiveness exists.”

What is your top travel tip?

“Ask for help.

Be brave and strike up a conversation with a stranger. Some of my best travel experiences came from a local who couldn’t have been happier to share their little spot on this planet with me (nowhere to be found in any guidebook).”

What is your favourite travel destination with Freebird Club and why?

“I have a long-ish list of destinations to return to and ones where I’ve never been. As yet unexplored, at the top are; Dublin, Edinburgh, Bucharest, Tallinn, Oslo, and, and, and… I’m truly a city girl hence the draw to these.”

Where would you most like to go next and why?

“A spa holiday in Italy. I’m up for being pampered and I love Italy so combining both is drawing me out of my humble abode (which isn’t easily done these days).”

If you’d like to join Freebird Club and start mingling with like minded travellers and hosters then you can sign up here.