Twitchhiker hikes to 1000heads
By Molly FlattWe had a great half-hour braindump this morning when Twitter travelling legend Paul Smith, aka @twitchhiker, dropped into the 1000heads offices to discuss how he used social networking to send him across the world.
Paul with ‘heads Sam and Camilla - he claims the moustache is a temporary Movember aberration…
Paul’s been helping us create some podcasts for STAtravelbuzz, our social hub for the independent network of outspoken STA Travel customers and friends, so we invited him in to meet the rest of the crew and to share his story about applying the power of virtual networks to the real world. For those of you who’ve missed the features on Paul across the international press, on March 1st 2009 he attempted to travel as far round the world as he could in 30 days, relying purely on the goodwill of people on Twitter and raising money for charity: water on the side.
Starting from Gateshead and ending up in Stewart Island, New Zealand, Paul’s journey veered from dilapidated bedsits to Hollywood parties, and was facilitated by hordes of ordinary folk, with a little help from Stephen Fry and some switched-on companies. The whole project was a real testament to the fact that relationships built in social media have real emotional (and practical) value, and that the physical and virtual worlds are constantly interdependent, a theme very close to our own heart.
We’re planning plenty more drop-in sessions with interesting social pioneers, so let us know if you’re in the area and we’d love to hear your story - you’ll get free coffee, free biscuits, free wifi, a big welcome and a room full of friendly people ready to absorb your insights like sponges. And if you’d like us to come and share our own projects and ideas on your home ground, we’d be more than happy (custard creams permitting).
