To keep this savings series rolling, I'm here to share my thoughts on Couchsurfing: the budget-friendly way to experience a new city like a local.
If you haven't heard of CS, it's an online community where travelers can connect with local "hosts" in the places they are traveling, who are willing to let them stay in their home free of charge. From my experience, hosts seem to be generous, pay-it-backward-and-forward kind of folks who understand the modern-day value of hospitality. Meeting new people is always on their to-do list, and they enjoy sharing what their region has to offer with like-minded travelers.
Without couchsurfing, I could have never seen Paris in such vivid, personal detail upon first arriving in France, nor would I have felt so welcome in New Brunswick last summer. Here's what I mean:
During my 4-day stay in Paris with fellow CEAer Ash, 2 different hosts helped us out: Samy, and Thibaut. Samy met me at the airport, helped me with my luggage and the metro, showed us around the city while he was free, and helped us get to the train station on our way out of town.
Thibaut, our host of 4 nights gave up his bedroom for us, made us to-see lists and directions, cooked for us, surprised us with famous desserts, and showed us around Paris's most noteworthy areas. He even taught me how to do "light painting" with his fancy camera equipment.
As is the couchsurfing way, BOTH of these guys took time out of their busy schedules to help us however they could, without asking for anything in return. They made our entire trip come together better than I could have ever imagined.
In addition to saving on lodging, AND on dining by cooking at the apartment, I feel like I gained much more during my time with my hosts than I would have at a hotel or hostel: notably, an insider perspective of what to do (and what not to do) in Paris, the chance to interact one-on-one with locals and to practice un petit peu de français, and the chance to rest up at the apartment when we were burned out without feeling estranged from the host culture!
Most importantly, I made irreplaceable friends with genuinely open and happy-go-lucky people who will always be welcome at my place...
So, all of that said, give couchsurfing a try! For me, it has been an absolute pleasure. As always, travel smart, let someone know where you'll be, and use some common sense.
Tell me what you think of couchsurfing in the comments!
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