Diary of a Couchsurfer #3

Hola chicos,

so i've now spent two nights down here on my voyage, and i've gotta say i've definitely learnt a lot about the whole couchsurfing experience that i otherwise wouldn't have if i hadn't actually done this. Little things, like the complete apprehension before meeting your host as well as the dawning realisation that although you're travelling the people whose house you're at actually isn't, and is still trying to live a normal life.

The other thing i've noticed is that the whole vibe of the house changes depending on who is around. The first night i was here was really chilled and low key, but then yesterday this really sociable english guy arrived as well as this other canadian girl and it got a lot rowdier. I ended up leaving to go meet an old mate from high school, but apparently an innocent game of fuck the dealer got out of hand and some alcohol-fuelled lip locking took place in my absence...

The whole place just feels like a really intensified version of a hostel. Because there are only a few people here, you end up getting a lot closer to each other. For example when i got home earlier this afternoon the english bloke and the canadian girl were making plans together about roadtripping across great ocean road and organising flights together to sydney - they've known each other less than 24 hours, and yet they're chatting and planning like old mates.

It's quite incredible really, the idea of opening up your house to travellers the way these guys have. I have absolutely no doubt that their day to day lives are a lot more interesting than mine, and their exposure to global culture is enviable really. I guess in a lot of ways it's the next best thing to travelling - they have their very own hub of backpacker culture and activity and they are always meeting interesting and different people.

But it does come at a cost. I asked one of the house mates - 'Fat Tom' - it was all worth it and his response was at least until the bills come... which they did today. For this quarter, they have to pay almost $900 in combined utilities. Each.

This house is obviously not your regular couchsurfing environment, but in some way every host would feel the cost of putting people up for a few nights. So what do they get in return? The chance to meet new and exciting people? The opportunity try and recapture that thrill of travelling? For some people i'm sure its as simple as the pride of showing people around their city.

anyway, everyone has just returned home and we're getting dinner started
i'm starving,
xx