Couch Surfing: The Bridge to the Land of Nomad
by Ricardo
One of the real headaches before transitioning from one place – could be home – to another location is the whole upon arrival thing. Invariably the first thing a person is going to ask themself before they even purchase their airline (or train) ticket is: “I wonder if I know someone… over there?”
Yup, having someone you already know in a foreign land that you’re about to nomad in is that bridge we all hope to have. In fact, not having any contact in a far away land is one of the prime reasons travelers hesitate to go to a new place. And doesn’t it make all the difference in the world when you do have an acquaintance over there, or even a friend-of-a-friend – one who will host you for those first couple ominous nights? Someone to show you the lay of the land before you begin to finalize your living plans for that area?
We think it does. And, so do the folks at CouchSurfing.com – a nonprofit organization.
I recently became a member of CouchSurfing. Although I’ve returned home to the USA to nomad around here for the year, all the places I wish to visit are also places I know the least about. More importantly, they’re locations that I have no first-hand contacts in. (Ironically, having just spent the past ten years nomading I have far more contacts in Asia and Europe than here in my home country.) Anyway, simply relying on traditional means of accommodations (e.g. hotels, motels, inns or even hostels) are both colossally expensive here in America and, more importantly, lack the fraternity long-term travelers and nomads seek along with access to information of the town the person is hoping to base themselves in. And what makes CouchSurfing such a find is that they really offer both the host and the visitor an abundance of profile information so that a previously unknown member will seem as familiar as an old friend you’d once spent time with on the road. (If you wanna see a real life example, check out my CS profile at: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/tatteredbackpack). Moreover, they offer both Host and Surfer references and they have a reasonably good member verification program.
So, What is CouchSurfing?
According to “Mars,” who’s on the CS Communications Team, CouchSurfing is an international non-profit network that connects travelers with locals in over 230 countries and territories around the world. The organization has been around since 2004, with the intent of connecting people together for cultural exchange, friendship, and learning experiences. They now have more than a million people on board!
The mission of CS is to create inspiring experiences: cross-cultural encounters that are fun, engaging, and illuminating. These experiences take many forms. CouchSurfing’s initial focus was on hosting and “surfing” (staying with a local as a guest in their home). Alongside these core experiences, CS now also facilitates a growing array of activities and events.
How does CouchSurfing work?
CouchSurfing members share hospitality with one another – just like most seasoned travelers are already quite used to. And Hosts benefit from the exchange as well (they’re not offering up their couch and extra bedroom simply because they’re good Samaritans.) Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world without leaving home. (And no doubt it helps to soften the re-entry shock many long term travelers go through upon returning home.) “Surfers,” or travelers, are able to participate in the local life of the places they visit. CS also gives more people the chance to become travelers, because “surfing” lowers the financial cost of exploration.
Membership Information
Simply point your mouse over to www.couchsurfing.org and sign up! But note that the process may take a couple of weeks as they complete the verification requirement. In addition, you can shoot the breeze with other NuNomad Tribe members about couchsurfing in our Tribe couchsurfing group.
Photo: Matt Braga
