Sleeping Around Couch Surfing The Globe

Freeload: /friloud/, v. i. to contrive to take food, benefits, etc, without paying or contributing; cadge. Freeloader, n.. Slang. Brian Thacker is globe-trotting again, but this time, he's got himself a goal. Well, three actually: 1. Get free accommodation. 2. See the world from a local's perspective. 3. Save money. It's well known that Brian can find a friend, a party and a free drink almost anywhere in the world - and that he loves to make a rupee go as far as it can. But can he really make it through a dozen countries without spending a cent on accommodation (and no Brian, you can't crash at a mate's)? After all, Global Freeloading may be the hottest way to travel right now but there's no such thing as a free lunch, of a free bed, right? Grab your passport, strap yourself in and join Brian as he travels through South America, The United States, Africa, India, Iceland and many places in between, sleeping on floors and couches, under drum kits and in backyards, hanging out with some of the strangest, most charming, entertaining or just plain out-of-hand people you could hope - or hope not - to meet. There's the charming and extremely hygienic Daniel Ortega of Santiago; the lovely Mariana Violante of Rio de Janeiro, who is, in her own words, 'the coolest Carioca in Rio and the happiest girl you'll ever meet', and of course Bob and his pals in Chicago. Great guys - and they throw a mean party - just try not to get arrested. Of course if you don't fancy any of their couches there's always the inflatable option at the home of student, speculative fiction author, programmer, project leader and beer connoisseur Smari McCarthy in Reykjavik, or you can forget about sleeping at all and check out the underground scene in Luxembourg with Cecile Perrin. Then again, maybe you should spend the night in Nairobi with the endlessly optimistic Thadeus Mutinda Mutisya. After which you may never feel like leaving home again. Once again Brian had no idea just where he was going to end up or what he's getting himself into, but you can bet your bottom dollar (and his) that this will be one strange, weird, wonderful, mildly terrifying and very funny adventure.