RSSSep|29|2007
Couchsurfer, Ahoy!
Posted by Benj as Tips
Signing up for couchsurfing is one thing, but hosting a guest is totally another. Thanks to this revolutionary website, travelers with less than the usual travel budget could still go to their dream destinations by simply opting to stay in a fellow couchsurfer’s couch or bed.
This morning, a friend of mine fetched a couchsurfer from the airport. He was a seasoned traveler himself, but it was his first time in Asia. In hopes of introducing the whole idea of local cuisine and culture to him, we decided to treat him to a restaurant that offered traditional food. Unlike the usual setup where in a traveler is thrown into a strange new environment, locals can now soften the transition by giving helpful tips and much needed direction before taking on the big city. It looks great on paper and in practice, it’s even more amazing. Through the system, people can meet others with similar interests and fortify their place in other people’s couches should they choose to travel to other places in the future.
If you can’t host travelers, don’t fret! You can still sign up and signify that you’re willing to share a couple of drinks of coffee with your potential guest. What are you waiting for? Join now!
As for me, I’ll be fixing a four-day itinerary for my guest.
4 Responses
jen_chan
03|Oct|2007Where is your guest from? How exciting for you! I’m interested to read all about your 4-day hosting experience with Couchsurfing.com
A follow-up article would be really nice.
noemi
04|Oct|2007I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade but don’t you think couchsurfing can be abused by some people? And how can you be sure that the person you are hosting (or the person you are crashing with, whatever the case may be) is “safe”? I suppose this uncertainty adds to the thrill of it all – maybe I am just too “old-fashioned.”
By the way, a very good friend of mine is part of the a couchsurfers group and she has hosted several people and has spent a night or so with other couchsurfers in some of her trips in Asia. Yes, she is alive and well
hannahgrace
09|Oct|2007Hi Benj. I love the idea of couchsurfers. I remember when I was a kid and my parents used to let missionaries sleep over at our house. Great way of meeting new people. Am not really ready to host yet. We just moved and we have no couch! So I signed up for coffee and a drink. At least I’ll get to help tour people around. ^_^
Noemi
10|Oct|2007Taking people around is a “safer” idea, I think. Come to think of it, I would appreciate the same favor it I were to go to another country for a visit.
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