Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I Love Couchsurfing!


I think that CouchSurfing (CS) is a genius idea for all sort of travelers. I have made several wonderful friends in Indonesia and here in the Philippines because of CouchSurfing. Some of my CS friends showed me their town/city and served as my tour guide and translator as well. The only thing that I have yet to do to comply with the mission of this project is to actually surf someone's couch.

To be honest, I have reservations and concerns about meeting and staying with or hosting strangers in my home although my initial doubts changed and the fears disappeared when I met Sita and Haru in Bali, Indonesia and Benny together with other CS members in Jakarta, Indonesia. CS is for any traveler with an open mind and would love to meet new friends and enjoys learning about and experience other cultures. A wonderful time can be guaranteed as long as you have common sense as with anything involving meeting strangers. Who knows, these strangers can be your lifelong friends or even your soulmate.

CouchSurfing FAQs:

Q: What is Couchsurfing?
A: According to wikipedia, it is an Internet-based, international hospitality service and it is currently the largest hospitality exchange network. Members use the website to coordinate contacts and home accommodation (couch-surfing) with other network members around the world.

Q: How it works?
A: Memberships in the organization is free and is obtained simply by registering on the website. The core activity of the organization is exchange of accommodation. Acting as a host, a member offers the possibility of accommodation at his or her leisure. Acting as a surfer (guest), a traveller may search for and request for accommodation at his or her destination. Accommodation is entirely consensual between the host and the surfer and the duration, nature and terms of the surfer's stay are generally worked out in advance to the convenience of both parties.

Q: Do I recommend it to other travelers?
A: Definitely! Although you should carefully choose whom to stay for the night or several nights.

Q: Have I used the website to sleep in other people's house?
A: I have an issue when it regards to security so I haven't yet tried to couchsurf in other traveler's home. In my recent trip to Bali and Jakarta, Indonesia I used the website to try to find locals who could show me more about their city/town. I enjoyed every minute of being with other couchsurfers.



15 comments:

J@n!ce said...

Interesting !! I learnt a new word today :):)

Reena said...

wow. i can't do this. i can stay at someone else's pad but i can't let some stranger stay at mine's.

escape said...

saya to ah. nakapaghost ka na ba ng bisita dito sa philippines?

grumpyurbanslacker said...

hi kegler,

this sounds like an interesting concept.

with all due respect to Reena, if everyone thought like her, CS would never take off.

kegler747 said...

@ Janice: It's good that this adds to your vocabulary :) hehehe

kegler747 said...

@ Reena: You can always meet up other couchsurfers and start from there. Who knows...

kegler747 said...

@ the dong: I haven't yet hosted and di parin ako nakakatulog sa ibang couchsurfers. I would love to try it though.

kegler747 said...

@ grumpyurbanslacker: It may seemed uncomfortable to let strangers into your house so you have to really choose and investigate their background and intentions before you host them

Anonymous said...

Couchsurfing!... hmmm may bagong nadagdag sa vocabulary ko ah. ngayon ko lang talaga nameet ito. tnx for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, pretty interesting. Although, I'm not comfy yet with the idea of a stranger staying in my couch. I might just have to give this one a shot.

Jerick said...

that's something that i would like to do. tamang-tama, i got plans to go to vientiane later this year for the SEA Games.

Unknown said...

i've read about this. maybe i'll explore this on my next trip :)

Bleargh said...

I'm a member of couchsurfing and I've met Malaysian people who visited Pinas last year. I'm so happy to meet them. :)

GE[M]NA said...

I went couchsurfing recently. It was amaaazing! It definitely made the trip! I met some great people.
I think that it is not for everyone. And so the people who are in it are the people who should be in it! But seriously! TRUST a little, people!

But spread the word! More people need to know about this! Even if it's not for you, let others know!

Karen Dayle said...

First time to visit here i just want to say your blog is so cool! :) Great Job