Traveling on the cheap....

[Jeff S]

I have recently run into several people who are members of this and love it: http://www.couchsurfing.org/


If you want to make local friends anywhere in the world, whether you impose on them and stay at their house or just lean on them to help you find your way around strange cities, this is a great idea.

[InnocentVixen]

Oh I remember reading about this or something similar a few years back, it didn't sound safe to me but a free guide and new friend doesn't hurt!

[piglett]

Oh I remember reading about this or something similar a few years back, it didn't sound safe to me but a free guide and new friend doesn't hurt!

what kind of person would sign up to be your free guide? i think it's all a little odd, but that's just me.
now if i had chatted with the person or we had emailed back & forth a few times i mite be willing to go along with this.
 
pig

[Jeff S]

Young, idealistic single people - and gray haired lonely expats. Certainly not cranky distrustful hermits. The person I know involved has connected with over a dozen people, all young fun-loving and adventurous.

[jm21-2]

Lots of people host a foreign exchange student with little or no pay...same sort of deal. When my wife moved to Australia she had found an older Taiwanese couple whose kids had gone on to college and she stayed with them a few days while she was getting on her feet. They were happy to have some company and perspective on what their home country was doing and she got some guidance on first steps to make in a new country. She still talks with them over Skype now and then I think.

[piglett]

Young, idealistic single people

that leaves the pig out 
 
 

[InnocentVixen]

decided to give it a try, they have some very nice groups, such as:


- people that don't need alcohol or drugs to have fun
- over 35 or over 35 friendly
- mixed couples (very interesting posts on this one)
- singles (friendship only)
- singles looking (yup, dating)


I like it that they have the option for "coffee or a drink" in couch availability and that members can get verified so the travelers feel safer. This might be the closest thing I get to dating sites ever again, other than the occasional peek at craigslist.


So thank you Jeff!