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eight useful tips for couch surfing

And again I had read an article about the couch surfing, was pulled in the final analysis the following conclusion: a great way to stay free when traveling. I will list at this point now the link to the article, because I find him first, poorly researched, and secondly, I would therefore make me a handmaiden of tabloid journalists, the (un) intentionally with the publication of the text run the risk of distorting the meaning of couch surfing in the negative sense long term.

Rather, I would like at this point ( beginners ) a couple of useful tips for couch surfing (especially with the handling of the platform couchsurfing.org ) type. They are based on my experience I could do during my 80-day tour around the world as Extreme-bed-hopper. And the truth is not everything went perfectly. Of short-term cancellations of the hosts on a night when a "Messi" up to "being robbed is" in Los Angeles. But it must not come to if you have a few important Things in the "acquisition" of the beds in all countries considered. Who can read the following tips in between the lines, will quickly realize the true meaning of couch surfing .... ;-)

first Do not make hasty!
please consider very carefully whether you really want to travel as a couch surfer. Do not forget, is for (strictly) Privacy little or no capacity. In addition, one should be aware that you also (mostly) strangers in their own very private - will be invited - namely housing. Those who believe that to load times just from his pockets, makes his tour and tourists come in the evening or back at night just to sleep, which has cut false in many cases. There are exceptions. But this variety of hosts is very rare in couchsurfing.org . In general, it is tantamount to both parties including the (intercultural) dialogue, to make contacts, mutual help, and more.

second Place a reasonable profile in couchsurfing.org on!
Most hosts do get delivered much information as possible about their future guests. As the saying goes: you buy but not a pig in a poke! Well, the same is true also for couch surfing. What a first Impression of the couch surfers? What kind of photos he published in his profile? What are his motivations to travel as Couch Surfer? And much more. The more detailed the profiles are completed, draw the higher the probability the attention of a potential host to itself. Lastly, we (yes, in a sense, free or cheap) to stay at them. As you should already take the time for creating detailed profile ...

third Phone Contact!
Record - after completion of commitment in writing - preferably in person contact with the hosts on! At one extreme project like mine, is not the always been to make. If you can plan in the long run, there should be no problem. I have told most of my hosts that a first (albeit short) call may very well reduce the distance to each other. It has been the character of liability if you are already exchanged the phone. Since it is also a serious call off at short notice. By the way, with the two hosts, who gave me late cancellations in Paris ( Anne I could yes "substitute" for example), I have unfortunately not before the phone.

4th Inquire you!
What is true for you, should also fulfill your potential host. The level of detail describe the hosts themselves and their commitment to couch surfing? What experience they have already done? Protect yourself against "nasty" surprises, because you have the profile of the host only "fly over" and did not realize that he has absolutely have the "wrong" interests.

5th Pay attention to the score!
Who wants to be sure that the host - or vice versa, the host - a "sociable" man, looks out to registered users only positive reviews. Couch surfers have the opportunity to share their experiences with the guests or to publish with the hosts on their profile. In general, these estimates do a whole is a fairly convincing picture of the person. Beginners course, have not yet according to positive reviews. Which I recommend especially with experienced couch surfers in touch and let invite "for a night or to inquire.

6th Make yourself at home? Not really ...
How often one hears a host say "Feel like home"? Well, as Couch Surfer get this sentence sometimes often said. But beware! As so often, it can involve only one thing: an empty phrase. The guest with dignity should his dirty shoes are not better on the table, drink the milk straight from the pack and not lying around at every opportunity the garbage can (well, yes this is true even for those who behave in such a home)! Else could it be that a couch surfers have the pleasure to the idea of an open-hearted hosts very soon, you lose. A disservice to the entire community. Therefore, the motto is: behave as one would hope it is also a guest ... and vice versa for the host course.

7th Small gifts keep the (guest) friendship!
Bring a gift to! Ideally, a regional Special from your hometown. It does not depend on the value of the gift, here is one really good idea. Who needs to visit several hosts in succession (and may take several not present with him), it can just as I do: First get a gift and you ask him something for you mitzugeben for the next host. Works perfectly! Me the way, Anne, my "first" , a tip given to long on my journey ...

8th Be prepared for improvisation ...
It must be on the trip - whether long or short - not necessarily a member of the couch surfing community, which takes you with him. Ask for Example, among friends and acquaintances to see if the turn acquaintances in the target sites. Or be open to random encounters! So I stayed in South Africa as a former media lawyer for Michael Jackson, supported me a prince of the royal family in Rarotonga or a seatmate on the plane from Sydney to Auckland (his sister in Los Angeles, I finally began). Be aware: Everything is going to do differently than in everyday life and you will sometimes miraculous. Save travels!!

So, that's it for now. I can think of many more points but I think the most important tips I have provided herewith. Happy may participate any more in the form of a comment and add to the list of valuable advice. I look forward to!

In this sense, best regards from Osnabrück,



Daniel PS I have set for February and March, two very interesting host for thought in my coffee conversation series. I think this is really exciting ... ;-)

Can Put Orange In Blender

Keep on rocking 'at the Couch interview!

It knows I'm sure everyone has the initiative "coffee country, land of ideas" ! Not? Well, in order to briefly outline: The aim here is to represent a particular region (in this case "coffee country") is particularly innovative in finding and implementing ideas.

Well, I had also already announced last blog post that I have - including the involvement of third parties - for new ideas cheap that rotate around the bed. So it will continue to come at irregular intervals to "couch interviews", which somehow always something different: oblique Locations, flashy people, unusual topics.

In addition, there are two other major projects, knowledge of which only a few initiates. It would be foolish of me, I would divulge it here already. Where is there because of the surprise effect?

In reference to the "coffee talks" I was offered the newly founded label silver sounded in Hamburg opportunity for a small dress rehearsal. One of the operator of the label, Maxine Harding House strategy, since the beginning of my project "Extreme couch hopping" with great enthusiasm. Long ago he had invited me to be in Hamburg on the couch in his studio. Now I have finally noticed. Frankly, it also had a very specific reason. At Christmas, gave me a CD of Maximilian Kramer & Jensen . A band that released their album under the new label silver sound. What struck me immediately: the four members sit on the album artwork on a couch! The guys are nice to me but, think I and move the CD into the player. Lo and behold, the guys can even make music. And indeed, my taste in music knows so few boundaries ...

So I called Maximilian, thanked me for the CD and told him to align the band praise from me. "Why are you not just themselves," he asked me and asked me again to visit him in Hamburg. He was even more specific: "You can couch surf at Kramer & Jensen in the rehearsal room Then you drink a few beers, make some music together and entertain you about God and the world." - Within seconds, I agreed to the proposal: "Done!"

A few Days I was moved to the tree already in the Wall stern.de editorial. The visit was the presentation of my ideas for the future (among other things, I'd also like to run a coffee talk with the person responsible for the blog service ... see if the editor is to win it). After that I hopped right into the studio where Hamburg has placed its silver sound mastering studio. On the couch rejected two guitars. "You play," said Maximilian. "Air guitar", I reply, the young musicians and producers can be persuaded to leave with me and the "guitars" to scan for my blog on the couch.

"Well, come when you visit the guys in the rehearsal room," he asks. The couch was waiting for me. Now, who wants something as into cold coffee? For my next Hamburg stay - and come quickly - so I already have a host. And who knows, maybe I get a still into the music business. With my own declaration of love ..... the couch! Would be something new ...

Stiif Neck Following Stomach Virus

with "heart and soul and mind" in the blog parade

As the saying goes? New year, new luck? Well, exactly true for me. Better would have been 2011 for me to start. I'd like to describe with the word "Arrived" . Because after my world trip, my professional and personal aspirations in Rio de Janeiro, the near-death experience in Thailand and my attempt as a director of a PR agency in Berlin, I can now proudly say that I am going to hit long in my home town Osnabrück roots. said

specifically, I have officially this month (here it goes the website of the Agency ) my new job as PR director at The floors began GmbH in Osnabrück. What more can I say, without this blog post degenerates completely in-house PR? I feel very comfortable already in the circle of my new colleagues. And the best part: in the office kitchen is a couch!

Funnily enough I will be "couch surfing" to accompany and professionally. After all, my experiences as "Extreme couch-hoppers" are needed for a great public relations initiative. For this purpose, I report in a few weeks more.

But now an essential part of my first blog post! Alex Kahl, social media expert and operator of neighborhood blogs "Pedestrian2Pilot" has invited to his private project page "destination" to a blog Parade. The aim is to answer 19 selected questions on the topic of travel. "Obviously, you have to participate because," Alex told me on the phone. Would be for the readers of my blog quite interesssant to read this particular form of an interview in the blog. So, I wish you interesting reading ... and thank you in advance for your feedback! ;-)

What drives you ever travel? My
hard to nursing knowledge and thirst are not exuberant afraid I might miss something in the world ...

your first real trip: How did you traveled where - and why?
the age of twelve the train to Wangerooge. With 20 German marks, a can of rice, a glass of hot dogs and a tent in the luggage. I wanted my best friend Christian visit with his parents went there on vacation. In retrospect, I think I must have been mentally deranged really - so unprepared to undertake a multi-day trip to a North Sea island.

Your most important piece of advice from personal experience, someone who goes on a trip?
not screw too high expectations, by not plan too much (it must remain still room for improvisation) and find out before the Internet through the sites (Wikipedia, Foreign Affairs, and related forums).

If you 50 days, 200km daily travel further - what would you especially important?
Hmmm, Alex, I understand this question, frankly, not really ... You may think that I am not driving the fuel prices in financial ruin? ;-)

Heading makes it the most exciting acquaintances and meet people who have a particularly touching. Where and how you made the most interesting people?
Honestly, I do actually do not answer. There were so many special people, many of which particularly touched me. Whether it's the bankers from New York, who survived the attack on the World Trade Center and has since just traumatized. The Asian employees of an oil company in Iraq, the nice chats in the evening with me and my colleagues in the hotel difficult to secure on the floor and was killed the next morning by a hit squad. Or a Brazilian beauty who brought me the lightness of being clearly in mind. I could name hundreds of examples ...

a look in your case: What may be missing NIE? A framed photo
my son Liam, laptop, camera (very important), hair gel (this is the hairstyle at Wind & Weather ...)

Is there a trip that you want in your life do not necessarily ?
Small Tip , a quote from Neil Armstrong: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." - And if it should be a little more realistic: a backpacking through Cambodia and Vietnam.


it going again: The interesting thing about traveling is the unexpected. What was for you to use your tours the maddest?
If I tell here now, all I nothing more than highlight for my book. But well, it was a lot of funky things. Above all "accidents" or fate encounters that I attribute all that I escape sent to my traveling to the remotest places in the world the daily grind could. Is it then quickly read in my book (ui, operated once again self-PR).

And even more interesting in retrospect is what went wrong. What was your biggest travel mishap?
The year 2009th It is October and the sun casts its rays on a small island called erbarmunslos Mbudja before Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. I ask my companion to rub my back with sun cream. While he has used SPF 50, but woefully neglected some areas of my body when applying lotion. The result was the worst sunburn of my life . Can happen! But why at a time in which I must necessarily shoulders every day with my backpack over 40 kilograms of luggage?

Ok, there is an increase: Do you like the most stupid thing to tell us that you have committed to one of your trips?
In the fall of 2004, I have made myself a friend and colleague on the way from northern Iraq to Baghdad. Then still by far the most dangerous road in the world - between Kirkuk and the capital. That alone was a small, daring stupidity. Was really stupid of me that I later in the hotel (which was rather a small strictly secured pension in a security zone) on the thought came to venture just a step to fresh air. On the small branch road outside the hotel was a gaping void - at the time dared hardly a man on the streets of the city. As soon as I stepped out the door, as I packed our bodyguards (who kept guard at the door) and dragged me roughly back into the small lobby of the building. Our "security chief" told me something like: "Will you die, you wear white trousers, a white shirt, looking for white skin and wearing also a pair of sunglasses every sniper within 500 meters of suspects in you now an American and thus a worthwhile. goal. " Well, I have since then not one step more daring without bodyguards at the door ... What eats

You prefer to travel? the experience I have made to order for best results the specialties of the place instead of Wiener schnitzel and spaghetti Bolognese. Although it may sometimes adventurous on the plate are the regional dishes are cooked on the most loving.
I see the same. I do not always know what I actually get to the plate . Once I've in Hong Kong live maggots ate - for a bet. Unspecified marine animals in Senegal, some meat in Johannesburg, from the bizarre to mention meals in Asia. But what I have set myself the task is that I have a bottle in each country of a local brew beer drinking. So far I was only disappointed once. On Rarotonga. fingers away from the Matutu !

The Great Depression and homesickness: Do you know certainly. When it moves with you and what you do about it?
occurs on long trips it again and again, when I think of my son. Then suddenly I reach the phone or video calls (where possible) and try to contact him. It's always wonderful to see with how well a three-year-old (now four years old) can handle the technology.

car, plane, on foot, train, hitchhiking or motor bike - on which type you are most like move?
After my serious accident with the motorcycle in Thailand , we can rule out the option before. Otherwise comes to the situation. The world trip by bike would certainly become very demanding and not feasible in the form. By plane and train, I like to travel, I always meet new, strange people. Hitchhiking? Hmmm ... honestly, from the "old age" I am now out.

changed the way at some point thinking, feeling, and it sets itself a state of relaxation, which brings one to crazy ideas. Everyday life at home is blurred. The progress and right now live is the most important. When is this a moment for you?
Alex, you know me! This is a moment for me is permanent. Every day new ideas, always move forward before the eyes. However, the topic remains for me a little relaxation on the track. Since I still need to catch up (of course, the purportedly Each !)... :-P

What do you mean why have a much more well-traveled and so much more relaxed and confident?
I am convinced that travel broadens the mind in many ways. The experiences that you collect in other cultures are so diverse, that can make the traveler a more accurate picture of the life of these people as those who are almost exclusively in his own haze stop. What can I say but expressly does not want these "non-travelers" do not have a broader horizon, or relaxed and confident look / are.

The greatest journey is the same to him. Do tell you what you have found away from everything you own out of everyday life?
The realization that I am not the center of the world. And that I must put my ideas to tackle single-minded and - at least try it. Failure is not a doomsday. On the contrary, it shapes the character ...

alone or in company? As you travel the most and what makes a good accompaniment for you from?
situational. On my stressful world trip, I had an escort can not safely use. For they would always have to depend on my plans / improvisation and it would be difficult for two was all 'to organize the accommodations for one night. Otherwise, I love to travel in company. But please do not nag. For me the trip / vacation is too valuable. Rather enjoy to do, instead of getting angry.

Transparent trip that constantly is understandable from the outside. Where are you, what you see, what you think. No immersion, always in contact. Immediately and directly - not behind in the travel report. How do you think about the idea?
I have lived it well with my world tour project like this and it was no problem. There will always be people who disagree with what and especially how you make it. Since you have to stop to decide whether you want to make up for discussion and criticism. I have answered this question for me be clear: Yes. My life may be to some degree an open book. And I am open, direct and honest. Who does not get along, have not read my blog, does not need me Facebook, Twitter , Xing & Co. are wired and does not need me a coffee or a Go drink beer. Frankly, it's also a good way, friends and acquaintances "find", which will take me the way I am. And so I am also more in the "manual" network. Despite criticism. This is called among other things, a consequence ...

And one last question before us is especially important as we have gathered during our trips dreams throughout Europe - no matter what the topic Travel What is YOUR dream?
He will probably remain forever unattainable: a world without borders. Both geographically and interpersonal seen ...