CouchSurfing

Hi everyone!  Sorry for the lack of content as of late; I’ve been slammed with schoolwork.  Here’s a brief post for today and the regular posting schedule should be back soon.

In my blogroll, there is a link to a site called CouchSurfing.  Allow me to explain:

Travel can be very pricey.  I think we can all agree on that.  This alone is enough to turn some people away from traveling.  Well, if money is your main obstacle, I think this can help.  From their website:

“CouchSurfing members share hospitality with one another. These exchanges are a uniquely rich form of cultural interaction. Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world without leaving home. ‘Surfers,’ or travelers, are able to participate in the local life of the places they visit. We also give more people the chance to become travelers, because ‘surfing’ lowers the financial cost of exploration.”

You see, when you host people, you offer a bed (couch, futon, what-have-you) to travelers from around the world for free.  And then when you travel, you stay with others, greatly reducing the cost of your trip.  You also get the added benefit of making great friends, and getting an insiders view of wherever you may be.

I know what you’re thinking.  “This sounds a little skeevy, doesn’t it?”  And it did to me too, at first.  But they have an extensive means of verifying people as safe people to stay with.  If someone isn’t verified?  You don’t have to stay with them.  You can choose to stay with anyone with a verification level that makes you feel safe.

Happy CouchSurfing!