A few years back I put up a profile on a site called Couchsurfing. I was never really active on it until recently, when I decided that next year I may want to use it to travel to New York. Not having to pay for a hotel would save me a bundle. So I started actively seeking out people to host, so I could have some good references and people would be more likely to host me. I had three people I contacted. One said he was coming but then I never heard from him again. A young girl from Germany needed a place but then at the last minute it turned out her friend was going to be able to get her from the airport.
Finally, a young kid (and by young I mean 30 'cause I'm an old ass 38 year old) from Austin answered one of my emails to host. He had tattoos in his pics, and a picture of him at Burning Man. He seemed harmless enough and had a bunch of positive reviews. He showed up on the 10th and left the 15th. It was awesome because he was here to get skydiving certified, so I only saw him a few hours a day, and he wasn't looking for someone to show him around town. I work full time and have a pretty full schedule so I tend not to respond to folks who are looking for a guide. He brought his dog Panda, which my kitties were none too thrilled about. But I LOVED that damn dog and she was nice to the kitties so I let her hang out in the house with us. I would say my first experience with the site was a great one.
The night he showed up I gave him a house key and told him there were leftovers in the fridge if he was hungry, then went on a date with Sean. It's not that I trusted this stranger per se. It's just that I figure what is meant to happen is going to happen. If I came back to half my stuff gone I'd deal with that later. But the fact that he had used the site often and had great feedback led me to believe I was fine leaving him alone in my home. And I was right. He was really nice, and super respectful, and I am really glad I let him stay. For the next few months I'm going to invite more folks. I look forward to the adventure of it all. Then hopefully next year I can find a free place to stay in Brooklyn for a week. That would be the best.
Happy picture of the day: a dijon crusted pork tenderloin. 'Cause I'm eating leftovers of one I made right this minute, and it is effing delicious.
wow, that's brave! i have a friend who does that. one day, he just up and left for germany without anything but his backpack and ended up staying around the country at random people's houses or hostels when he couldn't find someone to put him up for the night and he had the best time ever! he also made some great connections and still travels with those people!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I couldn't do it by the seat of my pants like that anymore, like I did when I was young. I have to have set plans. Which is why the site is so handy.
ReplyDeleteOMFG! you have a free and trusting hippie spirit! lol! i do not!
ReplyDeletewhen i was a kid my dad would pick up hitchhikers. it drove my mom and me and my three other siblings bonkers. there was never enough room in the car for our family of six, and he always wanted to add a hobo to the mix. LOL! he had good intentions. and thankfully nothing ever went horribly awry.
I also know a bunch of bikers so if anyone takes something, they will be tracked down. So yeah, not all that free and hippie. :)
ReplyDeleteI pick up hitchhikers sometimes. Not all that often.
What an adventure! I love people. Maybe I need to do this. Except I don't think Hubs will go along with it.....'Honey, I just signed up to have random strangers sack out on our couch..." I love it. A little risky, but then think of all the amazing people that might drift through your space in time!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely check out the site at least. It's pretty cool because they have references from people they've stayed with, and profiles. I look forward to hosting many more folks. Did you get my email? I'm dancing after Thanksgiving if it kills me. :)
DeleteThe idea of this appeals to me and fascinates me, but I think actually doing it would take a lot of courage for me, both staying with someone and having someone stay with me. I think I could handle someone staying with me better than I could handle staying with someone else, though.
ReplyDeleteI love that the guy brought his dog, and am happy that you loved having the dog. That's really sweet!
See, that's the thing...what if I get to someone's house and it's filthy? That would be hard for me.
DeleteThe dog was awesome. She was so cute.
We had pork tenderloin this week too! It's on sale at Oto's for $2.99/lb.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good price! I get mine at Target. I know, but it's actually really good.
DeleteIt sounds very adventurous, but I'd never be brave enough.
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of fun with it.
DeleteGood for you taking an adventure while not even leaving your home. Unfortunately, my couch is not very big, thus, un-surfable. It also doesn't help that I'm persistently afraid of strangers. Also, the thing that stuck out the most to me is that there's a certification for sky diving. Is there that much to it? I guess I wouldn't want to jump out of a plane with an amateur. Just never thought about it before.
ReplyDeleteI have a guest bedroom and both my couches turn in to beds.
DeleteI have another guy from Mexico coming to stay the 30th.
Getting certified is expensive and you have to learn a lot of different techniques. But it saves you money in the long run because you can jump anywhere and it's cheaper than if you aren't certified.
I'm envious of couch surfers. It sounds like a lot of freedom. I'm just not ballsy enough to be able to do that, or to have a complete stranger stay at my house. I like being able to walk around in my underwear if I so please.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of an adjustment but I make it work. I only plan on hosting every few months.
DeleteI think you are amazing! I would never be so brave. The Husband has kind of put the fear of God in me with regards to strangers. I'm glad the guy that stayed with you turned out to be trustworthy!
ReplyDeleteAnd, I am a far cry from Brooklyn, but if you ever wanted to see the Jersey Shore, I would be glad to take you in/around. Although, I'm sad to say, it's going to take a while before we rebuild enough for there to be something to see again.
I can read people pretty well so I'm not worried. Plus they have references from other people they've stayed with.
DeleteI may take you up on that for a night or two. I have some friends in Jersey. I won't be out that way until next fall.