Couchsurfing

NOTE: I UPDATED THIS ENTRY ON 1 DECEMBER. THE UPDATED SECTION IS AT THE END.

I did something yesterday that most people would probably advise against: I went home with a random stranger. The random stranger also did something most people would probably advise against: he invited another random stranger - me - into his house.

I first read about couchsurfing (www.couchsurfing.com) in The Irish Times about half a year ago. The idea appealed to me instantly: a website where travellers can find locals to stay with, nearly anywhere in the world. Of course it saves you having to spend money on a hotel (couchsurfing is per definition free), but it´s not all about that. It is a great way to get to know a country, and its people. Because most couchsurfers have extensive profiles, it´s easy to find people you have something in common with. My current couchsurfing host, Gonçalo, a young guy from Portugal, is doing media studies here in Santos.

From the moment he let me into his (stamp-sized) appartment he has been the perfect host (and I´m trying to be the perfect guest.) We went to meet his girlfriend, who is a journalist for a number of magazines in São Paulo, and her housemate who also works in media, and before long we were all comparing notes on media in Brazil and in Europe.

As it happens, www.couchsurfing.com is full of media people, travel agents, and, apparently, doctors. At least, that is what Cintia, who I met through couchsurfing in São Paulo (but just met for drinks as she is currently living at home again) says. Cintia (see Journalism, Brazilian Style) is an ambassador for couchsurfing in São Paulo.

Anyway, to cut a long story short... couchsurfing comes highly recommended!

UPDATE

This week, I couchsurfed with Pédro Malta in Vila Velha, in Espirito Santo for two days. It was great!

Tudo bem?

Minutes after Pédro and his friends showed up at the hotel in which I was staying before, we were on our way to a samba rehearsal on the outskirts of Vila Velha, where we danced until there was nobody left. Then we went for late night munchies and talked about, amongst other things, Afro-Brazilian religions. The next morning we went looking for crabs and other crustaceans on the rocks at the beach. Pédro showed me all of Vila Velha and Vitória, and even had time to make a chocolate cake at midnight. Couchsurfing is great!