I have always lived of going couch surfing and as my trip grows, it will be my main for of accomodation
Everyday I seem to be adding more and more places to my trip. What originally started as South East Asia and Europe soon developed into SEA, Europe and America. Currently I plan on visiting SEA, Europe, America, South America, China, Japan, Canada, Alaska and today I added the Pacific Islands and Hawaii. I would really love to add the Middle East and Israel. While in some places such as South East Asia I plan on staying in hostels, for the majority of my trip I would like to couch surf.
The basic principle of couch surfing is similar to home exchange, except that the owners of the home continue to reside there with the guest. One of the main advantages, aside from free accommodation, is that I will be able to experience the places I travel to like a local. This is something that I am really passionate about. I am not the kind of person who dreams of traveling the well worn tourist paths.
The best know, and original couch surfing site is http://www.couchsurfing.org/ It originated in 2004, and is the brain child of Casey Fenton who in 1999 after buying a cheap plane ticket from Boston to Iceland email 1,500 random students from the University of Iceland looking for a place to crash. He received 50 responses, and dreamed up the idea of couch surfing on the flight home to Boston.
I really love all that Couch Surfing stands for and hope to use it extensively on my trip.
COUCH SURFING ETIQUETTE
Buy your hosts a drink if you head out or a six pack of beers if you’re staying in.
Always ask before using things like internet and the telephone. They will prolly say it’s fine to use, but it’s polite to ask.
Don’t eat and drink them out of house and open.
Be respectful of others. Obviously, if you’re staying with a family who have children don’t swear excessively or walk around half naked.
If you’re taking your laptop, share music! You’re hosts can connect there iPod’s to it and sync your play lists. This is especially good if they have traveled overseas and are missing music from artists who aren’t popular in their country.
Don’t crack onto your hosts girlfriend/boyfriend. Not body like someone who cuts someone elses grass!
Have clear arrival and departure dates.
Always try to make conversation with your hosts, even if there is a language barrier.
Don’t steal from your hosts or rampage through their things! It’s an obvious one, but unfortunately theifs couch surf too
