I hope that you have heard of www.couchsurfing.org. Some of you may even be members of that community. Couch surfing is an emerging Internet community in a global basis for friendship and cultural exchange. The main feature of the community is that members of the community gets free accommodation at couchsurfers place in a foreign country while they are in tour.
IS IT SAFE?
When a lot of people hear about CouchSurfing, they wonder if it's OK to invite someone new into their home, or stay with someone they've never met. Well, I've been a member since November 2010 and had started hosting few months after. CouchSurfing.org creators also thought about that! They have this referencing system that another couchsurfer can write onto someone else's profile. Honestly, I never had experienced any issues with my guests. I even leave them behind in my pad and when I get back, everthing seems to be normal!
TALK ABOUT COUCHSURFING SAFETY!
IS COUCHSURFING FREE?
Many western couchsurfers are enjoying this facility in developing and under developed countries. As we all know it is people from the US and Europe travel the most. A very small number of people alone travel from the poor countries. So the benefit of couchsurfing scheme is enjoyed mostly by American and Europian travelers. And the most important fact is - people who are willing to let someone couchsurf do know that they won't get money and they know if they travel around they will not have to pay money.
share an unforgettable experience with couchsurfers!
HOSTS SHOULD NEVER CHARGED THEIR COUCHSURFERS!
Hosts should never charge their CouchSurfers; anyone who does will be removed from the site. Most CouchSurfers do like to thank their host with a small gift or an act of kindness (such as cleaning the house or cooking a meal), but this is not required and should not be requested by a host -- the only thing that's expected is an inspiring experience!
Daniel (Netherlands) and Ruslan (Ukraine, Bo and Me (Cebu)
IS THERE SOME SORT OF AN OBLIGATION THAT I NEED TO KNOW?
Not at all. You can -- and should -- pick and choose who you want to host, and when. When CouchSurfers contact you, read their message and profile carefully before making your decision. You can also meet people to hang out for a coffee or a drink only, or you can even make your couch completely unavailable. Don't offer your couch out of a feeling of obligation: that doesn't make a good experience for you or for your CouchSurfers. Offering your couch is all about increasing the number of interesting people and possibilities in your life experience, and learning about other cultures and perspectives.
CouchSurfing in the streets trying the famous "taho"
CS charity event in Cebu City
Trivia Night with folks from Cebu CouchSurfing community..
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comments:
Anonymous
said...
Great post! I recently got really into the whole hospitality exchange scene and love it. My roommate introduced me through a site called Tripping.com but it's the same concept. I definitely recommend people try staying or meeting up with locals next time they travel!
Hi, Thanks for the comment. Good thing you have experience the whole hospitality exchange thing. I love the concept of bringing the world right in front of me since currently Ive got no timeto be outside the country. Experiencing the people and their culture is one of a kind.
2 comments:
Great post! I recently got really into the whole hospitality exchange scene and love it. My roommate introduced me through a site called Tripping.com but it's the same concept. I definitely recommend people try staying or meeting up with locals next time they travel!
Hi,
Thanks for the comment. Good thing you have experience the whole hospitality exchange thing. I love the concept of bringing the world right in front of me since currently Ive got no timeto be outside the country. Experiencing the people and their culture is one of a kind.
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