CouchSurf is an organisation for travellers who wish to stay with other members, rather than spend overnight stops or longer terms in hotels or guest houses. The organisation now has more than three million members worldwide. I won't expand too much here. If you wish to know more, click this link.
CouchSurfing - Wikipedia
I became a member of CouchSurf in 2006, and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in the past few years. I have hosted hundreds of travellers, and the pleasure that has brought me is unmeasurable.
The opportunity to meet, and make friends with people from all over the world has been a wonderful experience. The nature of the organisation attracts younger people, they being able to travel more easily that those who are older, and who have become more settled, with homes, families and responsibilities.
Fortunately I am able to interact very easily with people in their twenties, and being able to listen to educated view points on a wide range of subjects from people 40 years my junior has taught me a lot, and I am grateful to my many surfer guests for the occasions to do so.
Formerly living in southern Spain, it was not surprising I attracted surfers when there. Relocating in rural Ireland, I thought guests would be minimal. How wrong I was. I have been inundated since coming here, particularly to Westport, a town that attracts many visitors for a variety of reasons.
Apart from occasional times when I am unable to host, my door is open to all, and for as long as they wish to stay, although I object to certain people who abuse the organisation solely to get a holiday with free accommodation. After a while you can pick them out, but you do have the option decline.
As my CS profile says - I accept everybody...with reservations.
If the concept appeals to you, I highly recommend becoming a member.
CouchSurfing - Wikipedia
I became a member of CouchSurf in 2006, and it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in the past few years. I have hosted hundreds of travellers, and the pleasure that has brought me is unmeasurable.
The opportunity to meet, and make friends with people from all over the world has been a wonderful experience. The nature of the organisation attracts younger people, they being able to travel more easily that those who are older, and who have become more settled, with homes, families and responsibilities.
Fortunately I am able to interact very easily with people in their twenties, and being able to listen to educated view points on a wide range of subjects from people 40 years my junior has taught me a lot, and I am grateful to my many surfer guests for the occasions to do so.
Formerly living in southern Spain, it was not surprising I attracted surfers when there. Relocating in rural Ireland, I thought guests would be minimal. How wrong I was. I have been inundated since coming here, particularly to Westport, a town that attracts many visitors for a variety of reasons.
Apart from occasional times when I am unable to host, my door is open to all, and for as long as they wish to stay, although I object to certain people who abuse the organisation solely to get a holiday with free accommodation. After a while you can pick them out, but you do have the option decline.
As my CS profile says - I accept everybody...with reservations.
If the concept appeals to you, I highly recommend becoming a member.
HelpX (Help Exchange) is another worldwide organisation, not dissimilar to CouchSurf, but catering for those who need help on their property, (hosts), and those who want to spend their time doing such work, (helpers).
In exchange for accommodation and food, and usually some inclusion in social activities, helpers provide labour for as many hours per day as the hosts require. The help can be working on organic farms [WOOFing], helping out in a hostel, home care - almost anything really.
I joined as a host in 2010, after moving to my current (and now, permanent) home, as I need help getting work done around the plot, so it seemed a perfect arrangement.
If you wish to know more, click here to go to their website.
