You ’ve relieve just enough for that ticket to Thailand but barely have enough cash left to pay for a mango smoothie , let alone a student lodging . luckily you may now crash on a person ’s sofa using an online locomotion web . Unfortunately that mortal might be abatshit crazy raper . Not to worry , we ’ve compiled a guide to find a safe ( and costless ) lounge in a foreign land .
Which site should I use?
Keep in mind that travelling meshing typically have wonky websites . Pioneers of the couchsurfing drive like theHospitality ClubandGlobalFreeloadersare particularly thwarting to pilot . Do n’t worry , that does n’t mean they ’re tend by grievous chiseler , just poor non - net profit who want to keep costs low for their surfers . BeWelcomeandCouchsurfingare the easiest to employ and have bigger membership bases . The latter is the largest , with over 3 million members . It is also the only website that will charge you $ 25 to aver your reference .
Personality - smart , Couchsurfing is theOK Cupidof travel networks : it ’s pop among young , attractivish 20- and 30 - somethings who like to drink , skydive , and get fuckup talking about Nick Kristof . Hospitality internet is home to very seasoned surfers who might be less down to company . GlobalFreeloaders does n’t allow for very elaborate user profiles , so it ’s sort of a crap game ( show : not as dependable ) . BeWelcome is specially outspoken about accommodating older kinfolk and families .
Making your profile
Since there ’s some risk imply in this intimate form of freeloading , your profile is an authoritative first step to weeding out the weirdos . Girls : do n’t post racy picture . Guys : avoid look cocky or aggressive . Photos of you aim blackout intoxicated are a no - no ; creepers might look for that habit in a potential dupe . Be reliable about who you are , but do n’t reveal any information that might make you seem soft to nobble ( “ I ’m a single missy on my own and I have no idea what I ’m doing ! ” ) or ripe for robbing ( “ I have it away my $ 7,000 Canon DSLR . I take it everywhere I go . ” ) .
Finding a host
First : face for a server that ’s well - liked . Do they have positivistic references ? Are they photographed with other multitude ? expend an evening examining a substance abuser ’s profile to see if they ’re both safe and interesting enough to room with for a few night .
Second : location locating localisation . Most travel networks do n’t typically reveal their members ’ address for secure understanding , but that does n’t signify you ca n’t message another verified member to feel them out and ask for cross - streets . bivalent check on Google Maps and learn about the neighborhood . Is it eerily secluded ? Public Department of Transportation in compass ? What are the businesses nearby like ? utilise this information to value your future bedding ground , especially if it ’s in a country that might be get it on for its crime , or unfair discussion to the fair sex . Also make certain your host speaks your language . If you ca n’t convey with your host , you probably ca n’t say whether her or she is creepy-crawly .
Meeting up
Arrange to meet with your boniface at a coffee shop the day you arrive . It ’s important to feel out your internet acquaintance before going home with them . It usually does n’t take more than five arcminute to intuit whether someone ’s sane or not . monition foretoken include : nervous tick , unkempt appearances ( in a non - sexy - young - traveler way ) , eyes on breast , and/or pedigree on bridge player .
The long-awaited surf
When you choose to follow your host home , verify you take a elusive minute to send the accurate address of where you ’re boarding to someone who will notice if you go missing . None of the on-line internet will take responsibility if you ’re kidnap , so it ’s important to leave a Hanzel - and - Gretel - like digital track whenever possible .
Just remember , dear traveller , the Internet can be a foreign and dangerous lieu , but it can also make it possible for you to save a ball of modification while touring Europe . So go ahead and espouse and love the optimistic on-line change of location networks in the globe . But tamp down some Piper nigrum sprayer — just in casing .
you could keep up with Alyssa Bereznak , the generator of this post , onTwitterandGoogle+ .
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