Couch Surfing-- Let the world visit you!

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I began my journey as a CouchSurfer while on World Tour through Canada--a friend who knew I was on the road emailed me to tell me about it.

The Concept: an international non-profit organisation that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world. "Surfers," or travelers, are able to participate in the local life of the places they visit. Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world without leaving home. A reference system allows you to find out if the person has had positive or negative experiences with other members, ensuring security in the network. All of your references and personal information about interests, life philosophies, and couch are listed on your profile, so you can make an informed choice about who you'd like to surf with.

My CouchSurfing Profile

The Statistics: 1,821,847 CouchSurfers in 238 countries = 1,958,183 new friendships world-wide.

CouchSurfing is my fountain of faith in humanity.

My first CouchSurfing experience: a perfect stranger with positive references who accepted by request to couchsurf in Winnipeg comes to collect me from the cold, take me to his home, make me a hot cup of tea, and drop a house key into my hand before taking off to meet a friend at the pub. I was in total shock, unable to conceive of a world in which a stranger could be so trusting. But CouchSurfing is like an alternate reality--where everyone you meet is your new best friend, everyone is fascinating, everyone shares your passion for travel, and everyone is enthusiastic to share their world of experience.

I jumped into this new world head-first, and haven't looked back once in three years!

These days, we host numerous couchsurfers in our home in South Dunedin. My partner Miguel and our cat Giuseppe are also registered couchsurfing hosts.

In the last two weeks we have hosted an Israeli woman who celebrated Passover in Dunedin, a German man in a campervan, and a French couple cycling around New Zealand.

We enjoy the company, taking turns cooking & trying new dishes, sharing meals, long yarns over cups of tea, and the occasional gathering of local Couch Surfing hosts.

Thanks to CouchSurfing,
- my cooking repetoire has expanded to include spinach lasagne, home-made bread, and leek quiche
- i have made some good friends both here in Dunedin and in passing
- we have been welcomed into lovely people's homes far and wide--from Latin America to Oceania
- we'll be taking a long weekend away in Central Otago next weekend!

From the forlorn darkness of my cave, otherwise known as an office, I lamented today the confines of the working world for travel and play. Only X days per year once you sign the dotted line... woe is me! However, upon reflection, all is not lost!

Couch Surfing is here to save the day!
Let the world visit you, wherever you are!

Thank you for being a subscriber to this travelblog, apologies for the long hiatus, and please note that the web-address has been updated by travelblog to

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Photos

couch surfing cat
our cat Giuseppe is a proud host on couch surfing. he enjoys all the visitors who come and share cuddles.

dunedin
city of dunedin & otago harbour

sharing dinner
sharing a meal with a german couchsurfer Rene who also taught me how to make sourdough bread

couchsurfing party
sharing music & merriment with an assortment of couchsurfers on my birthday

hosts
Miguel and Giuseppe--housemates and hosts

random
carpentry graduation night! hooray, i'm a tradie!!!

otago harbour
another view of otago harbour

Comments

[luke carrier]

been a while
Great to hear from you girl! I can't believe the connection we made on the train in New York has lasted this long. I guess when you have kindred spirits with someone anything is possible. I'm getting married on May 15th! I can't wait as you might guess. Well, great to hear from you. all the best with life, love, liberty, and the pursuit. Luke Carrier

[Kay Wilde]

Good Will
Hi Sophie, Enjoyed your blog entry. Couch Surfing seems to be a great way to share good will. I am too much of a skeptic to try it myself. And my back might not tolerate the various couches existing around the world, but I am glad that you have discovered it and that it gives people a chance to travel and meet new peeps with other points of view in the world. Looking forward to seeing you in June! Love, Kay