 Couchsurfing experiences? |
Couchsurfing experiences? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Has anyone used the Couchsurfing network before? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amyhelenor amy vos Post Count: 39 Msg: #1 228 days ago, February 29th 2008 | hi everyone, | I know there have been some brief mentions of Couchsurfing on other threads but I can\'t find them now... so here it is: I\'m an 18 yr old Aussie girl thinking of doing some travel in Europe this year in between my job as an au pair in Germany. Will couchsurfing suit my situation? Is it safe? Is it fun, or just awkward? If anyone has had any experience Couchsurfing or knows anything about it, I\'d love to hear from you! =) Amy  Mell Mel Fla Post Count: 4121 Msg: #2 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Hello Amy :) | Here is the URL to the couchsurfing site. http://www.couchsurfing.com/ I have not yet tried couchsurfing but those I have spoken with who tried it say it is a good experience. I think it would be safe because if somebody has a bad experience they would report it to the site. What people say about couchsurfing makes me think I should open my mind to trying it. I am a bit wary because I like my space. But most people who are members of couchsurfing are probably travellers just like me so I am giving it some serious consideration. Mel [Edited: 10:47 - Mell ]  denidax Deni and Dax Post Count: 63 Msg: #3 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | We've been members of CS for a while now, but because we live in a very small town, we don't get many visitors; last year we hosted a german guy for one night and it was a good experience, and last month we went to the 1st meeting of the Surrey couchsurfers, and was a very nice way of meeting people who live next to you or are traveling in your area. I think that when you're traveling CS is a fantastic way of getting to know the people and the way they live...and they know the best places in their cities!!!, plus you have contacts who speak the local language, which is always useful... | If you become a member, check our profile, we're also call denidax Have fun in Germany, it's a lovely country!!! Deni Mell Mel Fla Post Count: 4121 Msg: #4 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Hello Deni :) | Is it possible to join couchsurfers to chat on the forum and get to know what it is like until I decide if it is for me or not? Or would I have to volunteer my couch as soon as I join? Mel [Edited: 13:00 - Mell ] denidax Deni and Dax Post Count: 63 Msg: #5 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Hey Mell!! | You don't have to offer your house if you don't feel like, you can just meet for coffee, have someone over for lunch or for a city tour...the whole thing is very open. I think you have to be a member to be able to chat, but that only means that you have to have a profile, not invite people to your house, and even if you choose to host, it doesn't mean that you have to accept every request, you just check the profiles of the people who are trying to contact you and decide if you like them or not, or if it's a good moment for you to host...one recommendation, though: is always better if you answer to whoever is trying to contact you, even if it's to say "sorry, but not this time", because in every profile there's a box with the percentage of replies, so it doesn't look very nice if you just don't answer, it will show as if you are not very interested... On the meeting we had last month, we met a couple who were traveling in SA, NZ and OZ and told us a story of this guy who was hosting them: he told them to meet him at the shop where he worked, took them to his flat, gave them the keys straight away and went back to work...that's really the idea, but it doesn't mean that we all do it that way, it's really a personal choice...and you leave comments about the people you meet, so the more comments, the better, and normally you can tell if the person is trustworthy or not... I think the whole idea is very cool and a perfect way of meeting new people, I hope you join us!!! Take care!! Deni Mell Mel Fla Post Count: 4121 Msg: #6 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Thanks Deni :) | In that case I will join next week. It certainly seems worth checking out. Mel  Mikey M Mike Meggiato Post Count: 298 Msg: #7 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Hey There everyone, just to add my two cents, i used couchsurfing in every city i visited when i spent a month in the US and it was an awesome experince and i met some great friends, i also used CS in Panama city and im currently stopping with a host in Mexico City, although im leaving for South America tonight, id highly recommend it even for just the local meet ups in your area to meet like minded travelers. | In South America im mostly hosteling but i will be meeting a few CSer's aswell which should be cool, hopefully i should be meeting Ali down in South America aswell. Thx Mike:) amyhelenor amy vos Post Count: 39 Msg: #8 227 days ago, February 29th 2008 | Hi everyone, | thanks for the feedback...you all sound pretty happy with CS so I guess I'll give it a go! =) Amy  Casey Lary Casey Lary Post Count: 26 Msg: #9 227 days ago, March 1st 2008 | I am all over couchsurfing! In vietnam I stayed in a 3-story mansion with 3 american ex-pats who had a pet monkey. In KL I stayed with the coolest hippie ever, and in India its overwhelming and "competitive" with who gets to host. I had all but one cool person stay with me while I lived in Japan. As a female, I would take more precautions than if you were a guy- make sure they have some good references. Also, (they talk about this on the website) make sure you have a back up plan if you get put in an uncomfortable situation. My parents hate that I do it and other friends think I am crazy. still I am a huge supporter and have tons of fun doing it! |  Dudes Amy and Chris Post Count: 24 Msg: #10 217 days ago, March 11th 2008 | I want to throw in a late but enthusiastic thumbs up for Couchsurfing. That was our favorite part of the last trip we took. It was a great experience all the way around and we plan on using this method for shelter almost exclusively on future trips. | And it is true, you can join and surf without having to put your couch up for people. Or you can host and not surf other people's couch, or, of course, do both! If anyone chooses to try it out, I hope you find it as enjoyable as we did! Number of Users: 6 | Number of Posts: 10 | ||||||||||||||||||
