They’re next-door neighbours – however didn’t realise till they went on a solo-travel journey collectively midway all over the world.
Annaliese Cunniffe and Lauren Brown dwell proper reverse one another in an house complicated in Washington DC, however didn’t meet till they went on a visit 2,800 miles away to Iceland.
And it didn’t daybreak on them that their flats confronted one another till after they returned.
Now they’re good associates – and are urging folks to ‘get out and discuss to strangers extra’.
The pair’s first assembly was on the airport, due to the tour operator for the journey, Right here & Now Journey, establishing a WhatsApp group chat one week previous to departure.
Lauren Brown (left) and Annaliese Cunniffe (proper) in Iceland. They did not realise they have been next-door neighbours previous to the journey
Lauren, a provide chain marketing consultant, found Annaliese was from DC and on the identical flight after they exchanged messages on this group.
They then co-ordinated to fulfill on the gate.
Lauren, 24, advised MailOnline Journey: ‘Regardless of dwelling throughout the corridor from Annaliese, I couldn’t have picked her out on the airport once I first met her.
‘I needed to textual content her and inform her what I used to be sporting so she might discover me.’
Inside quarter-hour or so of assembly they realised they lived in the identical house constructing and on the identical ground – however simply assumed they have been far aside.
After the six-day journey got here to an finish, they shared an Uber dwelling and had a shock after they walked to their respective flats, proper reverse one another.
Annaliese, 27, a mechanical engineer, stated: ‘Who knew I’d must fly all over the world to fulfill my neighbour? I’m so excited I did.’
It did not daybreak on Annaliese and Lauren that their flats confronted one another till they returned from Iceland
Lauren and Annaliese of their DC house complicated
So how come they missed one another earlier than travelling to the wilds of Iceland collectively?
Lauren stated: ‘In my first few months dwelling within the house I attempted making associates with neighbours by attending the month-to-month resident occasions like dinners and ice-cream socials. Sadly, these occasions didn’t show profitable – many residents rapidly grabbed the free meals and headed on their manner.
‘I heard related tales from associates exterior my constructing and accepted this to be the established order. As life received busier, the resident occasions fell off my calendar and I prioritised seeing associates moderately than connecting with my neighbours.’
Annaliese had related experiences. She revealed: ‘I talked to some folks on the pool and attended a group occasion, however by no means made a long-lasting connection.’
Has the expertise modified their outlooks on life?
Annaliese stated: ‘Travelling round Iceland strengthened my mindset that the world is so huge and there’s nonetheless a lot left to see. Due to this fact, it was fairly a contradictory expertise when Lauren and I realised we’d simply spent the previous few days travelling round with our next-door neighbour. All of the sudden the phrase “the world is such a small place” rang true! The expertise taught me to take extra time to say whats up and respect the folks round me in my each day life.’
In contrast to what our dad and mom advised us rising up, I feel our technology must get out and discuss to strangers extra as a result of that’s the one tried and true strategy to meet new folks
Lauren stated: ‘In a world that’s more and more fast-paced, particularly in a metropolis like DC, this expertise was a reminder to decelerate. It jogged my memory concerning the significance of human interplay. Decelerate, smile at strangers you cross within the corridor, on the road.
‘In contrast to what our dad and mom advised us rising up, I feel our technology must get out and discuss to “strangers” extra as a result of that’s the one tried and true strategy to meet new folks!’
And what would they are saying to anybody who’s reluctant about solo journey?
Lauren stated: ‘Guide the journey! I can not stress it sufficient. I used to be tremendous nervous once I booked my journey, particularly as a result of it was a few 12 months away, however the nearer it received, the extra I realised everybody occurring the journey would have the identical mindset as me – desirous to make associates and see the world with cool folks!’
Annaliese and Lauren with their solo journey group, having fun with the wilds of Iceland
Annaliese added: ‘Solo journey helped clear my thoughts from the stressors that come together with each day life. I particularly loved travelling with Right here & Now as a result of it was such a simple course of. The toughest half was determining tips on how to match my wardrobe in my suitcase!’
Do the pair have any plans to journey collectively sooner or later?
Annaliese stated: ‘We don’t have any joint journeys deliberate but, however we’ve mentioned what different Right here & Now journeys are on the agenda! And we’ve been capable of get exterior the house and discover DC collectively.’
Right here & Now Journey stated: ‘That is excessive on the checklist of coolest tales to return from Right here and Now and an instance of why we began H&NT within the first place.
‘Life will get so hectic. Forty-plus hours every week at work, pal and household commitments, understanding, grocery buying, cooking, cleansing and the checklist goes on and on. All of it piles up and both pushes assembly your neighbours to this point down your priorities that it does not occur, otherwise you merely simply haven’t got sufficient capability left on the finish of the day to make it occur.
‘That is the place journey comes into play – eradicating you from the whirlwind of your on a regular basis life, slowing you down, and permitting you to attach with others.’
For extra, go to hereandnowtravel.com and www.instagram.com/hereandnowtravel.