PAX '08 Couchsurfers

TerminusReborn

I'm sorta curious about how many couchsurfers there are on this forum, because I think it would be fricking AWESOME to do a PAX '08 couchsurfing event.

So, yeah.

My couchsurfing profile!

redhalo

Look like MySpace, unless I'm missing something.

the dough

Me

Although I'm not in Spain anymore and I have been meaning to change the location.

Bam Stroker

Me too.

I haven't surfed before though, only hosted. I want to go back to the US for PAX though so maybe I'll be able to cash in some of my CS karma to get a roof over my head for a couple of nights.

redhalo wrote: »

Look like MySpace, unless I'm missing something.

Coushsurfing is a site that allows travellers to find free accomodation with people who are willing to host them. You just make a profile on the site and start hunting for would-be hosts on the places you intend to visit. A "couch" could mean anything from a few square feet of floor space to a guest room with a bed and all the amenities depending on what the host has to offer.

The site also has a system so that hosts and surfers can leave feedback for each other to build your reputation which makes you a more desirable host or surfer. So far I've hosted about a dozen people from several different countries. You make friends and have fun. If you're a surfer the biggest boon is that you get to stay with a local who can tell you what cool places to go to and things to do that you otherwise might not have known about.

As a host you're under no obligation to take in anyone who asks. You get to say who can come and who can't but all my experiences have been very positive.

The real CS "ethos" though isn't about finding free accomodation, but rather the whole "global village" "cultural exchange" thing. It works pretty good, too.

redhalo

Bam Stroker wrote: »

Me too.

I haven't surfed before though, only hosted. I want to go back to the US for PAX though so maybe I'll be able to cash in some of my CS karma to get a roof over my head for a couple of nights.

redhalo wrote: »

Look like MySpace, unless I'm missing something.

Coushsurfing is a site that allows travellers to find free accomodation with people who are willing to host them. You just make a profile on the site and start hunting for would-be hosts on the places you intend to visit. A "couch" could mean anything from a few square feet of floor space to a guest room with a bed and all the amenities depending on what the host has to offer.

The site also has a system so that hosts and surfers can leave feedback for each other to build your reputation which makes you a more desirable host or surfer. So far I've hosted about a dozen people from several different countries. You make friends and have fun. If you're a surfer the biggest boon is that you get to stay with a local who can tell you what cool places to go to and things to do that you otherwise might not have known about.

As a host you're under no obligation to take in anyone who asks. You get to say who can come and who can't but all my experiences have been very positive.

The real CS "ethos" though isn't about finding free accomodation, but rather the whole "global village" "cultural exchange" thing. It works pretty good, too.

Ahh, Ok. That's pretty cool then.

TerminusReborn

Cool. If we can find PA couchsurfing hosts in Seattle, I bet we could set up a gathering at their house (or somewhere they know). That would be sweet.

I think I'd aim to have it be exclusively for couchsurfers, the caveat being that to join couchsurfing.com is absolutely free.