2008 Woodie Awards
Skip the hotels and crash on a couch
Andrew Browning
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Opinion
As college students, we have all heard of the proverbial "guy on the couch." He might be an urban myth, but it sure does seem like everyone has a story about that guy. You know who I'm talking about - the person with no name who outstayed his welcome and eventually left and became a pizza delivery man. Even I have one of those stories to tell.
With expanding online communities and networks, it was only a matter of time before someone made it possible for all of us to see what it would feel like to be the guy on the couch, even for a short period of time.
A Web site called www.couchsurfing.com "is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit." According to its statistics, there are almost 500,000 registered surfers and there have been over 700,000 positive experiences from people who have used the site.
Granted, not everyone is going to have a "positive" experience with the use of a Web site like this. On the other hand, I have stayed in some pretty dingy roach motels where I was lucky to stay one night and not leave with a communicable disease. I would rather take my chances on the couch of someone who would be willing to let me crash for free.
I found out about this gem of a site during Spring Break when my friend who was traveling from Kansas actually crashed on a couch in Macomb. He was between jobs and perpetually living on people's couches until the spring when he was moving out to California to film outdoor adventure videos. He said he never had any problems while couch surfing, and the people were really hospitable and friendly.
Maybe it is my inner hippiedom or world traveler, but I think it is a great idea. I have driven across the country more than a few times, and it would have been such a relief to sleep on a couch or two during my travels.
It is a nice option for the adventurous traveler, and it could open the door for some pretty amazing times. You have a personal tour guide everywhere you go and don't have to spend money at a hotel.
One of the key things to remember when using a site like this is that it is an online community, and there is always a chance for something bad to happen while traveling. There is a certain amount of caution that should be used when approaching every new situation, and if you don't feel comfortable in the circumstances, don't do it. It's as simple as that.
This type of thing isn't for everybody, but if you are willing to take a chance at possibly experiencing something incredible, sign up and get ready for a good night's sleep. This sort of thing might also be for you if you are tired of being that stereotypical American tourist with the white sneakers. Just keep an open mind and be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone, and you could have the trip of a lifetime.
One final thing to keep in mind: Be careful not to outstay your welcome - you might actually become that guy on the couch.
With expanding online communities and networks, it was only a matter of time before someone made it possible for all of us to see what it would feel like to be the guy on the couch, even for a short period of time.
A Web site called www.couchsurfing.com "is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit." According to its statistics, there are almost 500,000 registered surfers and there have been over 700,000 positive experiences from people who have used the site.
Granted, not everyone is going to have a "positive" experience with the use of a Web site like this. On the other hand, I have stayed in some pretty dingy roach motels where I was lucky to stay one night and not leave with a communicable disease. I would rather take my chances on the couch of someone who would be willing to let me crash for free.
I found out about this gem of a site during Spring Break when my friend who was traveling from Kansas actually crashed on a couch in Macomb. He was between jobs and perpetually living on people's couches until the spring when he was moving out to California to film outdoor adventure videos. He said he never had any problems while couch surfing, and the people were really hospitable and friendly.
Maybe it is my inner hippiedom or world traveler, but I think it is a great idea. I have driven across the country more than a few times, and it would have been such a relief to sleep on a couch or two during my travels.
It is a nice option for the adventurous traveler, and it could open the door for some pretty amazing times. You have a personal tour guide everywhere you go and don't have to spend money at a hotel.
One of the key things to remember when using a site like this is that it is an online community, and there is always a chance for something bad to happen while traveling. There is a certain amount of caution that should be used when approaching every new situation, and if you don't feel comfortable in the circumstances, don't do it. It's as simple as that.
This type of thing isn't for everybody, but if you are willing to take a chance at possibly experiencing something incredible, sign up and get ready for a good night's sleep. This sort of thing might also be for you if you are tired of being that stereotypical American tourist with the white sneakers. Just keep an open mind and be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone, and you could have the trip of a lifetime.
One final thing to keep in mind: Be careful not to outstay your welcome - you might actually become that guy on the couch.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Colin
posted 3/17/08 @ 11:01 PM CST
Great review... and advice. Go for it! Special thanks to Eddie and Brad two stellar Macomb couchsurfer hosts.
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