Name: Sarah Idris Madaki
City: Abuja, Nigeria
Years on Couchsurfing: 9
Hi Sarah! So, tell us how you heard about Couchsurfing…
Funny enough I was introduced to couchsurfing in 2010 by a very close friend from Tanzania when I was in university in Malaysia. She made me register and I never surfed nor hosted or even attend any CS meetup in Malaysia.
Amazing! And how did you get involved with Couchsurfing?
So when I got back to my country in Nigeria I was seriously looking for a fun group to join as I am very adventurous. So after I found a global hiking group (Abuja Hash House Harriers) I made some good friends and they told me about the Abuja couchsurfers group. I was so excited I told him I knew about and even registered on the platform but I barely ever checked my profile. So he invited me to my first Abuja CS meetup. After that day I attend every other meetups except when I am not in town. And I made a lot of local and foreign friends that we became very close like brothers and sisters now. Special thanks to Moh for connecting and introducing me to Abuja CS family!
So what was your first experiences hosting?
The first person I hosted was a guy from Denmark, at first when I received a host request from him I was kind of reluctant because he is a guy and a total stranger.
It was a little bit weird having a stranger show up at my place to stay but it turned out to be a life changing experience that I will forever be grateful for (the second time he came back to Nigeria he still contacted me to host him which I did). And now I have even linked him with my close friend in Denmark and he goes to their house to chill! Actually, recently he even told me he got a job in Nigeria and he will be relocating this October. Since then I have hosted Nigerians and other nationalities and I have surfed in Benin, Togo, Ghana, Egypt, Dubai and Morocco. The experience can never be explained because it is priceless. It can only be encountered.
Incredible! And why did you join the CS Ambassador program?
Basically, a friend I hosted recently from Sierra Leone recommended me to Couchsurfing (he did that without even informing me!)
Whenever I host I try my best to make them feel at home by going the extra miles and am always happy to do what I do. I try to post on our group that Couchsurfer is in town and other CSers gather to meet them. I plan events and meetups every month and hangout whenever a traveller is town. I just preach CS to everyone that loves traveling or is adventurous and curious to know the outside world. Couchsurfing has really thought me so much about life and people and how to be selfless. How life is simple but people sometimes makes it complicated for themselves.
That is such an amazing mindset to have toward CS. What has been your most interesting experience hosting on CS?
I’m not sure. Every person I host is different and unique. Because individuals differ, cultures, beliefs and backgrounds are all different. Every experience feels unique and different to me.
So true! What is the coolest gift you have received from a surfer?
A Scandinavian cook book I got from the very first person I hosted from Denmark about 3 years ago.I really loved it because I am a food explorer/enthusiasts. That was so thoughtful of him.
How thoughtful! Do you have a favorite travel quote?
“Traveling is the university of life that you can never graduate from.”
What is the craziest thing that has ever happened to you while traveling?
I think the craziest thing is using CS platform to look for a host! Being put up in a strangers house is the most craziest/adventurous ever for me. Only crazy adventurers can do such.
We are an adventurous group, that is for sure! So what is one thing everyone should check out in Abuja?
The Art and Craft market. Because that is where you get the real African souvenirs.
And lastly, what is your dream vacation right now?
The Maldives or Seychelles!