Internet trend couch surfing
The web community provides sleeping places worldwide, thus enabling a new, inexpensive way of traveling - lots of fun and one or the other flirt included
Quite easy to get to know people all over the globe who know the resort and where you can sleep for free - not only dream of people who are chronically broke. The couchsurfing community makes that possible. Couchsurfers are people who instead of expensive hotels prefer to sleep on sofas, mattresses or even feudal in the guestroom - and in return offer sleeping places to other globetrotters. The whole thing is coordinated via the internet: Almost 700, 000 members own the largest hospitality network Couchsurfing.com, and the trend is rising rapidly.
It was founded in 2004 by four young men from San Francisco, among them Casey Fenton, 30. The aspiring manager of the New Economy had already in 1999 the idea of a kind of non-profit travel club, after he often felt lonely on business trips. Even today, he asks Couchsurfer on the site: "Invite me, I visit you!" We show how this works and let JOY readers tell you what exciting experiences you have.
I love to make new friends this way
Rostock Orianne, 26, was a couch surfer already in the USA, now she gave a US couple a bed for the night - and a city tour.
The other day I had a full booth again! Adam and Ashley are both from California and have met each other at the Couchsurfers. Ashley is now studying in Göttingen, Adam was there to visit, and the two have packed their backpacks to conquer Europe together.
For one night they stopped in Rostock! I have never had a bad experience with the guests at our kitchens dormitory, except maybe you will not get so warm with someone.
The first time I heard of Couchsurfers at the end of 2006, in a chatroom at MSN. First, I used the portal to get to know more people on my short trips to Hamburg or Berlin. Later, I even ventured into the USA in this way.
Meanwhile, it's always more fun for me to give others a roof over their heads, a drink, a dinner, and now and then a fun night in the city. After a welcome drink and a meal, we visited with Adam and Ashley Rostock and went to the fairgrounds. For me, couch surfing is not just about free sleeping places, but also about global networking, tolerance and new friends.
When couchsurfing I also learned to surf properly!
Canada Luise (20) saved the bed network the six-month holiday
Toronto was nice - but not without money. My girlfriend and I were on a trip through Canada, but way too early the travel desk was empty. As a street singer has made us aware of the couch surfers! So in March 2007, our surf trip began on the most diverse couches, beds and floors in Canada.
We traveled all over the country, from Québec to Montréal, where we landed at a divine amateur cook, to Tofino in the far west on Vancouver Island. There our host even showed us how to surf properly - in the Pacific!
Our hosts were people like you and me, but had one thing in common: they are cosmopolitan, helpful, travel-loving, humorous and tolerant. I also like the online community: There are many groups, local clubs, festivals or chatting about hitchhiking, mud bathing, shopping or how to meet gay Italians. But anyone who lets go of xenophobic remarks is immediately screwed by the members!
Since this summer I have a larger apartment including a guest couch - now I can finally return the hospitality and welcome people from all over the world!
Ulises left us his entire apartment
Journey Around the World Jasmine (26) wanted to get off the beaten track
After my girlfriend Gesche and I finally finished our studies, we wanted to experience a great adventure before starting to work. From April to October 2007 we were on a trip around the world - as couch surfers.
We tried that because we wanted to see more of the world than what is in short descriptions of the travel guides and the so-called "insider tips" of Lonely Planet. Our first host was Björn, an exile Swiss in Hong Kong - he helped us enormously, because unfortunately hardly anyone understood English there.
I especially like to remember Ulises and his sister Violeta in Mexico City. He picked us up in the middle of the night from the airport, we had his whole apartment for us - he moved so long to his parents. The siblings showed us the city and drove with us the next day to Teotihuacán, where we climbed together on the pyramids.
That was one of the best days of my life. I am particularly proud that the two visited me in summer on their European trip in Cologne and I could return the favor for the friendliness!
It's great to show guests my city!
Vienna Anita (38) brought the wide world to her home
I used to work in gastronomy and had daily contact with people from all over the world. When I took an office job, it suddenly changed. Fortunately, three years ago I came across the couch surfers, with whom I now bring the world home. I already had guests from Iceland, Malaysia, Bulgaria and Egypt. Even when I travel, I am always surprised how cordially I am received.
I like to travel a lot, so it's good that traveling as a couch surfing is so cheap. Whether in London, Paris, India, Czech Republic, Sri Lanka or Poland - I have never had bad experiences. Also most of my guests were interesting and nice people. Of course there are those who use couch surfing only to live for free. But over time one learns to read between the lines when querying. Also the profile and the comments give important information!
The visit turned into a lasting friendship
America Annelie (23) traveled the entire west coast of the USA with her mother Birgit
Anyway, as a traveling student, you always try to stay with acquaintances. Couchsurfing is much more organized and faster - and most of all, one is among like-minded people. Last year I tried it myself for the first time, in Stockholm with Johannes. His apartment in the historic water tower could be ticked on the postcard! The Do's & Don'ts at Couchsurfing >>
After this positive experience, I persuaded my mother, after a friend's wedding in Seattle, to tour the West Coast together as couch surfers. It was perfect, hostess Rebecca even picked us up at the airport in San Francisco. We got along so well that I visited them again last November. In Portland, our hosts took us to a totally flashy birthday party - you just do not experience such things as a normal traveler. Test what type of vacation you are Up and away! - Four Continents in 14 Days COSMOPOLITAN Online - It does not always have to be a beach vacation
