Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of volunteers to ensure you aren't a crazy psycho killer. As with Couchsurfing, you can
leave reviews that are visible to the public.
Global Freeloaders
(globalfreeloaders.com): Started in 2005, this website has about thirty
thousand users and has a particularly strong user base in Australia. Membership is free, but
you are required to host someone within six months of being hosted.
Camp in My Garden
(campinmygarden.com): This UK-based community started in April
2011 and features home campsites around the world. Its simple premise: Connect campers
to people who will let them camp in their backyards for free or a small fee. You have to
bring your own camping gear but most properties will let you use their facilities (no peeing
behind a bush!). Locations are found predominantly in the UK and Europe but the site is
gaining traction around the world.
While all the sites market the same service, I use Couchsurfing over all the others. It has the largest
membership base, the most active members, the best user interface, strong levels of verification, and the
biggest range of nationalities. While I love the fact that I can get free accommodations, what draws me to
the site over and over again is that I get to experience the local side of a city. I get taken to local parties,
gatherings, restaurants, and sites that aren't in any guidebook. I get to learn about Australian politics while
in Australia, experience a Danish family's Sunday dinner in Copenhagen, and be taken to a German rock
show in Munich because of the people I meet through Couchsurfing.
People are often scared to use these services because they are concerned about safety. I understand that
concern. There you are, in a new city, with all your stuff—in a stranger's home. What if they try to murder
you in your sleep? What if they steal your stuff? What if they are rude or smell? However, I've found that
people who are willing to open their homes to strangers tend to be very open-minded and friendly people
and are also usually former travelers themselves. They know what you are going through. They want to help.
They want to show you their city and what makes it special. And, anyway, you never really know who has
the key to your room in a hotel or hostel. You are always trusting a stranger. I figure, why not trust a stranger
who thinks the way I do?
Couchsurfing is also aware of this security concern and takes many steps to provide safety. It offers its
own verification system where you confirm your identity with a credit card and a letter (which you have to
return) to your listed address. Moreover, users can leave comments on people's profiles talking about their
experience and friendship with those people. If someone is a creep, liar, or weirdo, you are going to be able
to find out. Benny Lewis of Fluentin3months.com, who has hosted more than two thousand couch-surfers,
says references are very important: “If a person on the site has at least three references, then you know you
can trust them.”
When I am looking for a Couchsurfing host, I use the following criteria to ensure that my host is a legit-
imate person:
•
There has to be a picture with the profile so I can see that this is a real person who is inter-
ested in showing his or her face.
•
The profile has to be filled out completely, as it shows the person is interested and involved.
Most people aren't going to spend the time to fill this out if they aren't going to be com-
fortable with strangers in their home. If someone hasn't bothered to fill out a profile, that
person probably doesn't use the site often.
