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Published: June 30th 2006
For some reason couchsurfing's website was down and the couchsurfer I planned to stay with in Munich, according to the friend who picked up his phone, was still out of town. Therefore I had to resort to Hospitalityclub.org, a network somewhat like couchsurfing but not as vibrant and community-based, to find a place to say. However today I received a devastating surprise when visiting couchsurfing.com to see if anyone had left me any messages. Upon entering the website I was presented with this heartbreaking message:
Dear CouchSurfers,
Two days ago CouchSurfing experienced what could be described as the perfect storm. The database administrators we hired made two critical mistakes. First, we had a major, avoidable hard drive crash. Secondly, the incremental back-ups weren't executed in the correct manner, and twelve of our most important data files didn't survive.
I have been working non-stop trying to repair the data, but as difficult as it is for me to say, it has become clear that certain essential pieces are not recoverable. This crash happened at a particularly vulnerable time, in a transition between two back-up methods. If the crash had happened a week ago, or next week, we would have had a different outcome.
It is with a heavy heart that I face the truth of this situation. CouchSurfing as we knew it doesn't exist anymore. We've had an amazing two and a half years.
Members write "CouchSurfing has changed my life" and I know what they mean, it has certainly changed mine and I am eternally grateful.
My vision transformed. CouchSurfing was born out of a dream I had to meet the most interesting people in world and experience their cultures, and it grew into a living, thriving family of almost a hundred thousand. This community has blossomed in beautiful ways I hadn't even anticipated. It was no longer about what I got to experience, but rather, what genuine, heartfelt good this community can offer the world. We have all opened not only our homes, but also our hearts, our lives. In sharing important moments, deep and meaningful connections have crossed oceans, continents and cultures. I saw in CS, in you, the power to change not only they way we travel, but change the world itself. Thank you, CouchSurfers. You have shown me more than I could have even known. Your generosity and spirit is a gift to humanity.
I have devoted the last three years of my life to CouchSurfing. I have literally poured every cent I have into the site. I've sacrificed my health, my time, and my own ability to travel and meet people. In many ways I've put my life and wanderlust on hold to build this network. I'm not complaining; it's been a fantastic ride. As devastating as it is to consider, it looks like the ride is over.
Life is continuously changing, evolving, dying and being reborn. After a fire, the earth is replenished; after a storm, the air is cleared. It feels to me like this loss of CouchSurfing is how it's meant to be. This crash is like a sign from the universe. Too many random factors aligned to make it as damaging as it is, and though I've tried everything I can and engaged the best and brightest database managers, there's just no way to get it back. In many respects it's heartbreaking, but at the same time, what we've built together is not dead, it lives on in each of us. It lives in the connections we've fostered and the culture we've created. I want us all to take this CouchSurfing spirit and continue the mission out in the world. We've all experienced this common vision and the potential it has to transform the way people relate to each other. Now it is time for all of us to not bury the dream, but rather nurture it's growth in our own ways, in new explorations and ventures. We all own a piece of the CouchSurfing flame, it's up to us to keep the fire going and light the world. So let's do it, let's light the world! What will you do with your flame?
Goodnight, CouchSurfing. May our flames burn bright.
I love you,
Casey
If you wish to send your thoughts, encouragement or positive messages, contact us at shunyata@couchsurfing.com
So you can imagine how vulnerable one must feel after investing all of their travels into such a network and then having it crash so unexpectedly losing all of those contacts and the prospect of returning the favor when back in new york. This has made me realize how I should not trust anything that I rely on through the internet, my yahoo mail, this travel blog even. Please, whoever can, print out all of these logs just so in the event that the same thing happens to travelblog, at least these records won't be lost forever.
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Danielle
non-member comment
Now's your chance!
Re-invent the wheel kid . . perfect opportunity to resurrect the whole couchsurfing concept and website. ;) With all kidding aside, it's really unfortunate that happened. But, at least you were able to experience it while it was still alive and kicking. It's been good to you and has enabled you the chance to meet so many people; people who welcomed you with open arms into his/her home. Be grateful for that and take with you all the memories you've made.