10 life hacking that will help not pay for accommodation while traveling

A few years ago, a young and promising PhD student in my face got a promising invitation to make a presentation at an international conference in Milan. Spoon of tar in this story was the need to pay for travel. If you are familiar with the living conditions of young scientists, you will realize that a trip to Italy is associated with not post-graduate income. But, in addition to the conference, and would like to see the country. Damn, it's Italy!

I believe that when something you want badly, the universe gives a chance to get what you want. I met a short announcement about project for independent travelers. This is an international hospitality network, whose members provide free assistance and accommodation to travelers from other cities and countries. What for? It's a way of communication between people of different cultures, ages, nationalities and races. International friendly get-together. Today, help you, and can help you be tomorrow already.

Through this network, the door of his house I opened the host family restaurant in the heart of Rome, the famous violinist from La Scala, an aerospace engineer at NASA Los Angeles, fashion director at Lyons, a banker and a taster of wines in Paris, a marathon runner in Naples, queen of Nepal and many other interesting personality.

These people gave the opportunity not just to spend the night for free. Thanks to them, I tried to present the local the kitchen, Tasted homemade wine from their cellars, attended unusual places, not tunes in any tourist guide, took part in local festivals as a guest of honor, not a tourist. Talk about the benefits can be endless. But it is better - try it! I suggest you a list of practical tips, compiled on the basis of personal experience of many years of use kauchsorfinga.

Completing the form online

This will require at least a minimal knowledge English. Special rubricists prompt what information to make. When filling the mold advise present themselves in place of reading. And it would be interesting to you to get acquainted with such a man? would you want to invite him for a visit?

Assets and liabilities

One of the frequent questions: "Do I obliges the service to a reciprocal provision of accommodation?" No, not in any way. In the questionnaire you will find a special section where you can describe what you can to help your city. If you have the conditions for the provision of accommodation, please indicate how many days you are ready to receive guests.

If the conditions do not exist, many travelers will be happy to share lunch or a cup coffee with someone local or ask for advice about the places worth visiting. You often have to be guided by foreigners in your city? This is a great chance to get this experience.

Selection of the host (the person providing accommodation)

About ready, with the direction defined - you can proceed to the choice of place of residence. According to the rules kauchsorfinga and receiving, and the traveler is left after reading reviews about each other. This helps to create the impression of a man, his attitude towards guests and in general to the world. The more positive reviews (and they often hundreds), the more likely an interesting pastime to your host.

The correct reading of hosts profiles

When choosing a host, pay attention to the fact that you can combine. For example, your favorite books, music, movies or profession. Although there are exceptions. For example, in Los Angeles, I accidentally found a profile of the NASA engineer. We had absolutely nothing to do, but to miss the chance, I could not such an interesting acquaintance.

Space, NASA - it's fantastic! I quite honestly it has written to the host, and, oddly, he said yes.

In general, if you meet someone at couchsurfing.com, You already incorporates at least love of travel.

The correct spelling of the query

The recipe is simple: honest, sincere and from the heart! If you specify in the request any particularly impressed you moments profiles host, the chances of success will increase.

"I wrote the request, but received no response / answer is no come"

It happens. Especially when you are going to a place of mass pilgrimage of tourists like Paris, Rome or New York. You can not imagine how many tens and sometimes hundreds of requests received by people living there. So do not give in to the first failure. I usually write at once 5-6 requests in one city and then choose.

stealth

Some kauchsorfery at the end of the questionnaire write some code words or signs that ask to insert into the text of the request. This is done to ensure that you read the entire questionnaire or write to all and sundry. Therefore, the study you are interested in Profile to the end. From my own experience I can say that such people and are the most unusual and creative.

accommodation conditions

One of the common misconceptions: independent travelers are forced to live in uncomfortable conditions. This is not true. In the section "Conditions of accommodation" you can find information about whether you have a separate room, bedding or sleeping bag.

By the way, in all my travels I got to use not only a separate room, but often also a private bathroom. So it is quite possible to live in conditions which are not inferior to their comfort a nice hotel.

You have received a positive response. What's next?

on the eve trips do not forget to confirm your arrival and clarify host plans. This can be done directly on the site kauchsorfinga or, for example, to Facebook. I often find future hosts in a social network, where I try to make friends with them in advance in correspondence to know them better.

Are you going on a visit to strangers. How to behave?

This question was first caught me in Italy, before the house of the future host. The first feeling - paralyzing fear! What am I doing in a strange city, going to live with strangers? But what if... Imagination peddled frightening images, fanning horror to the cosmic scale.

Many of us grew up in the post-Soviet space: the total lack of confidence and expectation of catch is in our blood. The good news: it goes after communicating with different people. Time spent in the home of the first host, eventually remember the incredible atmosphere of kindness, friendliness and hospitality.

Joint trips, home-cooked breakfasts, talks about everything: the Italians, even without knowing the language can talk with anyone. The best local coffee house and home restaurants where I have not met a single tourist. And it's in Milan, where every second - Russian. Needless to say, that we parted good friends, and with tears in his eyes.

If you decide to try kauchsorfing in the next trip, do not forget to buy a couple of souvenirs from his native city. Let it be a Russian chocolate, cake or just a magnet. Tune in to an unforgettable adventure - and more!

When you open your heart to the world, he says you such affection, which you could not even dream of. Believe me, from this trips the same you will not return. The sadness of parting with yesterday's strangers who so quickly become friends, for you will be encouraged to repeat the experience again and again.