Couchsurfing?.......The answer to International travel !!! No, this is not a question, it's a statement!!

During the planning stage of our 2014 USA trip, and after many weeks of searching the Web for cost effective accommodation options, costs, etc, it became apparent that with incorporating even the least costly would have a significant impact on our ability to stay longer than 4 weeks.


After exhausting the options on the Web and being totally demotivated, a kind lady from a Camp Site in USA suggested that "Couch surfing " would be our only solution. The name itself conjured up visions of selling ones organs / body in exchange for a bed etc and didn't leave me with much promise...... but how wrong was I!!

I searched:  https://www.couchsurfing.com  and read, and read,and read,

.....Seemed like there were crazy folk out there simply offering to be friendly, compassionate, trusting, etc. Fellow travels with similar aspirations prepared to open their homes to those seeking to enjoy without blowing the travel budget. Nothing was asked for in return except camaraderie, sharing, laughter, travel stories etc.   ...... Hard to believe but true.  

Oh, and of course the need to reciprocate..... (the preferred option that allows Couch Surfing to stay alive!!)

 Not only was this thing "Couch-surfing"a huge surprise, but more so rejoicingly (not sure if this is a word) good news., Through the generosity of others, our trip could now take on the reality of my original imagination. The otherwise short "whistle stop tour" now had wings to fly!!!!  With the original accommodation costs estimate now being slashed by over R 12 000. ($ 1 000), our trip could now allow for over two months stay depending on transport costs (this story for another post).



In the beginning we entered homes with in-trepidation and suspicion, wondering if this was the time when we stepped into the house of the "Axe Murderer" !!  Alas, this was never to be. Turns out everyone beginning the journey of Couch-surfing started out with similar thoughts of resultant disaster striking.



Make no mistake, there are many, many, groups within Couch Surfing so just be sure to join those with similar and personal characteristics as yourself. Stay away from questionable groups or those not representing you and yours. Other groups within Couch-surfing include but not limited to Nudists, Gays, etc. so be selective in your quest to meet like minded folk.



Can you believe it, travelers have been doing this for over 10 years now, ....... and we didn't know about it?.... one learns something new every day!

....... and then there are other folk around the world, similar to but not the same as Couch Surfing 

..stay tuned for more .....