I returned from my trip backpacking in Southeast Asia in April 2009. I had spent six months around Thailand, Bali, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. I taught English as a volunteer in several countries, which proved to be a very interesting and rewarding experience. During this trip, I stayed in a variety of budget hotels and backpackers he described as comfortable for directions!
A great find!
Having spent a few months ago in the UK, I started getting itchy feet and decided to plan my trip to India, which was next on my list. One day while looking for budget hotels online, I accidentally came across a site called Couchsurfing.com. I read on the site with great interest and was surprised to find a totally new concept to facilitate the travel experience for tourists.
PROFILES
I toured the site and explored the various locations where I could potentially be able to surf the couch. Then I created my profile. This was to publish personal information about me and my interests, philosophy and travel experiences. I added a recent photo and also indicated that I would have a couch available for travelers both male or female, but not immediately.
I started to look through the profiles on my criteria. Since I am a woman traveling alone, I looked at a potential host of women in India from the area of ??New Delhi. I found three and began to send each a “request for a sofa.” I had planned my route across India, and has continued to send requests from people in the cities I wanted to visit . The site was very easy to navigate and because each potential host had previously written references by surfers, published on your profile, I was able to verify the reliability and integrity.
ANSWERS
A few days later I started receiving responses. Most of them were positive. Any negative response, were people who traveled at that time or were too busy because of work commitments or family. Overall, the response was good. I had my first “couch” offer in New Delhi, an Indian woman, a teacher, who lived with her husband and her elderly mother. The second was a young couple in Jaipur. The third, a couple in Varanasi and a final in Hampi. In some areas, I applied, I had no joy, but then you can not win them all!
SURF
Alone in a foreign country can be a daunting experience, and sitting alone in a hotel room, not knowing anyone can be a very lonely experience. However, when couch surfing, the experience is totally transformed. As a surfer, you are welcomed with open arms, in someone’s house, get first hand information about the city where you are, is comfortable with the use of all facilities and cuisine made home. The food is not part of the agreement, however, most people will ask a user to join them at mealtimes. Surfing is totally free, with a small gift for your host is a nice gesture. I usually take something typically English, such as jam and shortbread.
Each of my sofa surfing exceeded my expectations. They offered me a comfortable bed, food and even a tour of most of my guests, which is not necessary. In all cases, they were kind of very generous people. I was, on average, for two nights. My couch surfing past, to date, have been in Turkey and in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Festival.
ALTERNATIVES
The philosophy of surfing is to give back as much as possible. However, nine times out of ten you will not accommodate the people you ride with. I have not traveled recently and has been hosting the surfers who are new to me. I stayed mostly single women, two men and two unmarried couples. We spent a pleasant evening discussing our travel experiences and exchange information and ideas. I try to give my users a cultural experience of any kind, if a weekend is usually going to the pub for a Sunday roast or will visit historic sites in the region. Due to work commitments, I do not always have time to do a tour, but we still managed to spend quality time together.
SURVEILLANCE
Couch surfing can be an interesting and rewarding, but it is always a good idea to be vigilant. It is advisable to read all the references in the left profile of a potential host / surfer. For additional precautions, choose only hosts / surfers who have been checked. It is always appropriate to establish the ground rules before accepting a visitor. Indicate precisely what will be available in time for the lodging, food and socialization. Personally, in my couch surfing experience that I have met people who were sincere, loving, generous and open minded. A wonderful concept, in my opinion!
Tags: budget, concept, host, indian woman, information, My Couchsurfing Experiences, negative response, philosophy, rewarding experience, site, the travel experience for tourists, travel experiences, women in india, work commitments
