Are you always game for an excursion, a trek or a simple peaceful sojourn but never seem to have the budget to do so? Well, couchsurfing.org might just be the place for you; the network will connect you to other backpackers who are ready to offer their 'couch.' This worldwide network seeks not only to indulge your wanderlust but like their mission on Facebook states, "Couchsurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!"
CouchSurfing (CS) is a non-profit organization that has over a million members from 232 countries who have come together to create a diverse community that promotes cross-cultural exchanges. The hope is that this will consequently encourage tolerance among people from disparate backgrounds.
You might assume that Indians are reluctant to connect with travelers online and host foreigners but a staggering tale of over 10,000 members tells a different story. Arvin Vincent, a journalist from Bangalore and a first timer describes his visit to China as, "quite amazing." His visit to the country where he did not speak the local language was made possible by his CS friends, who also arranged for his accommodation.
However, Arvin sounds a word of caution especially if it is a lone female tourist because it might be unsafe if a member is not a genuine couch surfer and might harass travelers. The site does provide recommendations and verification tags for its members and shares a track record of positive encounters.
Facebook has a vibrant community and Nitesh Jain, a regular couchsurfer joined as an admin to help Kasia Olszewska who started the group in 2007. Jain says, "CS is very active in Indian cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, and Chennai. Apart from foreigners, Indians are also using CS quite actively." He has traveled to Mumbai, Delhi and Ajmer and adds, "It is a great way to meet people from different backgrounds."
Olszewska explains, "It was always popular due to the existence of the couch surfing website a couple years before Facebook even came to existence. So the members joined and join at a steady rate."
Like they describe, if you want to travel on a small budget and want to meet interesting people, experience their local culture first hand then just- "Join, travel and surf!"
CouchSurfing (CS) is a non-profit organization that has over a million members from 232 countries who have come together to create a diverse community that promotes cross-cultural exchanges. The hope is that this will consequently encourage tolerance among people from disparate backgrounds.
You might assume that Indians are reluctant to connect with travelers online and host foreigners but a staggering tale of over 10,000 members tells a different story. Arvin Vincent, a journalist from Bangalore and a first timer describes his visit to China as, "quite amazing." His visit to the country where he did not speak the local language was made possible by his CS friends, who also arranged for his accommodation.
However, Arvin sounds a word of caution especially if it is a lone female tourist because it might be unsafe if a member is not a genuine couch surfer and might harass travelers. The site does provide recommendations and verification tags for its members and shares a track record of positive encounters.
Facebook has a vibrant community and Nitesh Jain, a regular couchsurfer joined as an admin to help Kasia Olszewska who started the group in 2007. Jain says, "CS is very active in Indian cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, and Chennai. Apart from foreigners, Indians are also using CS quite actively." He has traveled to Mumbai, Delhi and Ajmer and adds, "It is a great way to meet people from different backgrounds."
Olszewska explains, "It was always popular due to the existence of the couch surfing website a couple years before Facebook even came to existence. So the members joined and join at a steady rate."
Like they describe, if you want to travel on a small budget and want to meet interesting people, experience their local culture first hand then just- "Join, travel and surf!"
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