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We Travel With A Purpose

Have you tried couchsurfing?

January 26, 2012 by Sonia Marsh

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Have you heard of couchsurfing ?

I hadn’t until a few days ago when I met my friend Melissa Adams, a fantastic travel writer, who moved from Newport Beach, California, to Amsterdam, Holland. She wrote a story about her biking safari in South Africa, and other Gutsy adventures, called “Follow Your Dreams and Find Yourself.”

Melissa explained how couchsurfing has been a wonderful experience for her and how she’s been able to make new friends from around the world, either by hosting them at her place in Amsterdam, or by staying on their couch/spare bed, in foreign cities for free.

I started thinking about how many options we have in life that we don’t take advantage of, due to lack of knowledge, fear, or some other reason.

I’m sure most of you are thinking, how safe is couchsurfing? I asked Melissa to explain this, and why anyone would consider couchsurfing.

“I learned about couchsurfing through my son, Blake, when he was studying art in Florence, IT. The concept fascinated me as a way to meet locals and experience destinations the way residents, not tourists, experience them. Since 2007, I’ve surfed couches in Vienna, Jerusalem and Paris. For the past year, I’ve hosted guests from around the world in Amsterdam, of all ages and all walks of life. I’ve never had a bad couchsurfing experience. Indeed, my visits to foreign cities have been enriched and deepened through the eyes of locals. And my guests have taught me so much! I learned how to make homemade mayo from Austrian world-traveler Angie and how to travel to the Galapagos on the cheap through Ecuadorians Juan and Leo. My friendships are now global and I’m confident any of my past guests would gladly host me in their cities.

To those who think the concept of staying in the home of a stranger is unsafe, I say this: Couchsurfing is a world-wide community based on trust and the desire to connect with people of different cultures. Hosts are verified and prospective guests can see testimonials and references on their profiles. Hosts can also research guests through their profiles. While I’ve been robbed in traditional hotels and know others who’ve found intruders in upscale hospitality digs, I’ve never lost a trinket or feared for my safety when hosting guests or sleeping in the homes of former strangers.Couchsurfing is open to those who don’t have a couch to offer. While reciprocation is nice, it’s by no means mandatory. You can be a guest and down the line you might become a host. However you tap into the network, one thing is certain: you’ll have interesting friends from around the world, as close as a click on a computer.”
Take a look at Melissa’s profile on the couchsurfing website.

Yes. CouchSurfing is committed to making it easier for all people to explore the world and share inspiring experiences. It will always be free to join CouchSurfing. 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!

Melissa Adams Thai Carving

Melissa Adams
Travel & Lifestyles Writer

Learn how I found myself in Amsterdam

Read some of my cover stories.
Globetrot with me at The Write Brain and Trazzler.
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 “What gets the equivalent of 1,000 miles per gallon, doesn’t pollute, will save the world, and transports you in breezy style? Your bike.”  —Mark Jenkins
If you would like to learn more about safety, and have your questions answered, such as:
  • Is CouchSurfing safe?
  • Where are CouchSurfing members located?
  • Do I have to let everyone stay at my house?
  • Do I have to host someone first in order to surf?
  • How is the privacy of CouchSurfing members protected?

“Members choose which information they wish to share with the CouchSurfing community by selectively filling in their profiles, and by customizing their privacy settings. “

 ***

Melissa will be happy to answer your questions below. Please share with others.

I searched Orange County, California, and to my surprise found many couchsurfers in my city. Now if I need a free couch to sleep on around the world, I know where to go.

House-sitting is another option which Nikki Ah Wong, wrote about in her “My Gutsy Story.”

I’m a firm believer that there are always ways to see the world, make new friends and experience new adventures, for less money, if you are Gutsy like Melissa and Nikki.

***
Short Video from Sonia Marsh to thank you for your “My Gutsy Story” submissions

Filed Under: People, Travel & Adventure Tagged With: Couchsurfing, Melissa Adams

Comments

  1. Lady Fi says

    January 26, 2012 at 10:37 am

    One of my friends in Stockholm is a dedicated Couchsurfer!
    Lady Fi recently posted..Two pasts and a presentMy Profile

    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:50 am

      Has your friend couchsurfed in many different countries? it would be interesting to read her stories.

    • Melissa Adams says

      January 29, 2012 at 9:57 am

      Hey Lady Fi,
      I’d like to know your Stockholm friend’s name. That’s a city where I’d love to surf a couch!
      ~Melissa

  2. barbara says

    January 26, 2012 at 10:45 am

    I am going to give this a lot of thought! Thank you!
    b

    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:49 am

      Barbara,

      I know that it’s not just for single people. Perhaps it’s a great way to make new friends around the world if you prefer not to stay in a hotel.

    • Melissa Adams says

      January 29, 2012 at 9:58 am

      Barbara,
      Go for it…and let me know what a good time you had!
      ~Melissa

  3. Joy says

    January 26, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Hmmm.. very interesting! I host people through the blogosphere on my boat..I don’t “know” them but know a bit about them through their sites. It has always been safe and pleasant and sharing each individual experience has expanded my world. Couchsurfing sounds pretty neat–I am looking for a place in Maui while I am in transition…I will check it out, thank you!

    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:48 am

      Joy,

      That would make an interesting post to read. Have you written about these experiences on your blog?

    • Melissa Adams says

      January 29, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Joy,
      Is the blogosphere a formal entity…or just another word for the whold world??

  4. Stephanie says

    January 27, 2012 at 7:08 am

    It seems a great way to meet like-minded people. I’d certainly go for it.
    Stephanie recently posted..Mystery Solved – Or Why Part Of My Fiat is MissingMy Profile

    • Sonia Marsh says

      January 27, 2012 at 11:47 am

      Stephanie,

      I have an idea about how I could use couchsurfing in conjunction with a book tour.

  5. Winsomebella says

    January 27, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    This gets my mind a buzzin……:-)
    Winsomebella recently posted..Permanent AcquisitionMy Profile

  6. Penelope J. says

    January 28, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Never heard of couchsurfing until I read this. Sounds intriguing. If I were younger and liked staying in other people’s homes, I’d probably try it. Sounds like a great way to meet people and get to know local customs, foods, habits, etc. on a first-hand basis. Melissa, good luck with your couchsurfing.
    Penelope J. recently posted..Never Give Up on Your DreamMy Profile

    • Melissa Adams says

      January 29, 2012 at 10:04 am

      Penelope,
      Age is irrelevant in couchsurfing. Staying open to experiences and meeting new people is not. I hope you’ll consider “stretching” your boundaries a little…but then again, different strokes…!
      ~Melissa

  7. Carrie says

    January 29, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Sonia, I am really glad that you have shared this great story to us here…Thanks you so much!!
    Carrie recently posted..Jardin Smith International Good Company?My Profile

    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 4, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      Carrie,

      Have you tried couchsurfing?

  8. Peter Rush says

    January 30, 2012 at 3:36 am

    I also had no idea about couchsurfing. I would love to try it out soon.

    Thanks for sharing.

    -Peter
    Peter Rush recently posted..How To Get A GirlfriendMy Profile

  9. Melissa Adams says

    January 31, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    Having just returned from a 2-week journey to the US, I’m happy to report that my couchsurfing host in Paris was right up there in warmth and hospitality with friends in SoCal and Chapel Hill, NC, who hosted me. As for my son, who lives in an unheated artist’s loft in Chicago (and was mid-way through a 12-day cleansing fast during my visit)…well, ummm…let’s just say my hotel stay on the Magnificent Mile on the return leg of my trip ranked more stars than his couch ;-(.

    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 2, 2012 at 12:01 pm

      Melissa,
      Glad you got back safely and I know you love your new home in Amsterdam.

  10. Charry says

    January 31, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    This is a god story too! I am really imporessed with this and I hope you can continue to post more…
    Charry recently posted..Treatment for Acute Myeloid LeukemiaMy Profile

  11. Enrika says

    February 1, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Thanks a lot for the shared post here…I hope this can be an inspiration to all…
    Enrika recently posted..Hotel in PaigntonMy Profile

  12. Maggie says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    I first heard of Couchsurfing a couple of years ago but have never tried it myself. However I do have friends who host in Senegal and they are always urging me to do it because they have met so many interesting people through the scheme. Couchsurfing tales would make for some interesting stories I bet.

    • Melissa Adams says

      February 3, 2012 at 2:11 pm

      Maggie,
      I wouldn’t really call couchsurfing a “scheme.” It’s more of a network! And yes, I could tell you dozens of tales about interesting CS experiences ;-).
      ~Melissa

    • Sonia Marsh says

      February 4, 2012 at 8:49 pm

      Maggie,

      I could see you trying couchsurfing as I know you’re Gutsy and love to meet people from all over the world. Perhaps that would be a good way for you to travel.

  13. Bhling says

    February 6, 2012 at 1:58 am

    This is definitely awesome! I want to share this to my friends too…
    Bhling recently posted..The MintonMy Profile

  14. Melissa Adams says

    February 6, 2012 at 2:41 am

    Bhling,
    Couchsurfing IS awesome! Do share with your friends…all of you should have lots of fun on the road, developing a network of friends around the world.

  15. Xzannia says

    February 7, 2012 at 1:22 am

    I haven’t tried couchsurfing and it is totally new tome!
    Xzannia recently posted..Guest houses PaigntonMy Profile

  16. Maegan87 says

    February 8, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    I have never tried couchsurfing and it looks really interesting…
    Maegan87 recently posted..claiming ppiMy Profile

  17. Gwendolyn says

    February 13, 2012 at 12:53 am

    This one sound like fun..It is commonly known as moving from one friend’s house to another, sleeping in whatever spare space is available, floor or couch, generally staying a few days before moving on to the next house.
    Gwendolyn recently posted..vision without glasses bookMy Profile

    • Melissa Adams says

      February 13, 2012 at 1:05 am

      Gwendolyn,
      The difference between staying at friends’ houses and couchsurfing is this: in the former, you trust your friends because you know them; when you couchsurf, you stay with strangers who may become friends…if you’re not on your best behavior, you’re likely to get a bad report from a host that will guarantee you’ll never get another couch. Testimonials, verifications and references keep everyone safe and honest! Plus, you expand your friendship network way beyond what it might have been if you’d stayed with friends. Go for it!
      XXOO,
      Melissa

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