Essential Tips for Couch Surfing

www.couchsurfing.com

For those taking the plunge and sleeping on random sofas around the world, here are a few essentials for making the most of your couch surfing experience.

Creating a profile is always a good way of putting yourself out there, making sure you do not come across as a psychopath and more of a sociable person. If you have the time, try and be thorough, otherwise whilst messaging potential couch owners- be polite and be specific in dates and times.

So what are you looking for in the profiles? Here we have a few tips:

• Check the percentage replied. In this way you know how reliable the person is, and how long to expect a reply especially if it’s an emergency. Also check how often the person logs in to their account. If it dates back to 2009, then they may not be checking their profile very often.

• Look for references, just to make sure they haven’t escaped an asylum, even more so to check if their claims are true. Similarly, look for the ‘Vouch for’ symbol that resembles a piece of card being stuck down, for reliability.

• The amount of friends the person has and photographs also clarify if the person is real

• Depending on how much you want to learn the language, checking whether they are beginner, intermediate and expert in English and other languages is also vital.

• Ensure that they actually have a couch. Look for the sofa with a white tick on it otherwise; chance the image of a sofa without one which means that they don’t have a definite couch available.

• Another way before actually couch surfing with someone, is to send them a message first to scrutinize them, giving any queries beforehand and then request to actually couch surf with them. It's always good to have some friendly dialogue before you meet them.

• Leading on from the last point, remember couch surfing is NOT a sexual exchange, whatever the profiler may tell you. Do not feel obliged to do sexual favours to stay. In this way, perhaps staying with your preferred gender is the safest option (especially for women.)

• There have been a few unnerving stories about botched up surfing, which is why the main thing is to use your instinct. If something smells fishy, it usually is. A good way of picking cities and countries to stay at, is seeing the number of couches in that area. If there are a fair few- ranging from the hundreds to thousands- then it's a common trend there and should be safer. Usually avoid anything under 100 couches in a country.

When you find the perfect couch:

• After you have come to a mutual agreement to stay, remember to leave all your main details including- name, contact number, date and time with them. Even more so, remember to get their information otherwise it may be impossible to find them!

• Be polite, they are being courteous enough to let you stay for free. Make plenty of conversation and get tips and advice for places. They may be kind enough to show you around.

• Be clean, last thing they want is to fall over your mess wherever you stay.

• Keep your valuables in a locker or with you in a secure pouch.

• When you leave, it would be a nice gesture to give them a ‘thank you’ card, or anything small to show your appreciation. You never know, you may even be given the opportunity to stay there again if you are nice enough!

New York: In Five Days- Day 5

Day Five

With only a few hours to go to catch my flight, a nice way to round off the trip is at the Museum of Natural History. Ranging from the prehistoric period to modern Space and Science, the museum gives an all-round viewing of the wonders of the Natural world. And to eat a cheap hotdog on the steps across Central Park, ideal way to watch New York life go by.

Just a tip:

• If you are couch surfing, it is always a pleasant gesture to give a ‘thank you’ card, even if it doesn’t go to plan and the chemistry doesn’t quite work.

• Travel light. It is always a hassle lugging around masses of luggage with you if you are for the majority, travelling by subway and walking.

• Feel free to ask for directions if you get lost. Despite the fast pace, people are friendly to help you out. Carrying a map is always handy, even if it’s just the guidebook.

• Budget- a major problem in New York as things does not come cheap! Carry a small notebook to jot expenses if needs be.

• Preserve your energy! (Now being like a mum) eat regularly, sleep well and drink plenty of water if you are walking excessively.

• Most of all, just enjoy it- New York is electric and just a wonderful place to spend a few days!

New York: In Five Days- Day 4

Day Four

Viewing the spectacular horizon of New York from the Empire State building is a revitalizing breath of fresh air for an early morning. With the structure currently towering at an impressive 1,250 feet (381m), it is without a doubt the tallest building in the New York skyline.

A slightly lazy walkabout the area, remembering to dine at some point- is a wonderful way to spot some big places of interest such as Madison Square Gardens. If you are lucky enough to be there at Sport season, then watching a game in all its glory is a definite must! Unfortunately, December isn’t the peak time for the NBA, but getting tickets from $10 (restricted viewing) is available!

Instead I went to check out MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) with what I would have to say the most extensive and varied amount of works that I have seen to this day. From Picasso, Francis Bacon and Dali to Cezanne and Lictenstein, a hundred years of art were all displayed in all its splendour. The focal point would have to be the relaxing nucleus of the museum, with hypnotic giant screens and music and equally comfortable sofas.

Just around the corner is the climax of it all. Finally, the time has come to view the incredible but cheesy Radio City Christmas Bonanza. It officially was the most jam-packed show, from 3D scenes to Santa Claus, Jesus Christ, a bus full of the can-canning Rockettes and the Nutcracker. It felt like watching several theatres in one go, and the alluring lights were enough to keep both parent and child hooked from start to finish.

Exiting Radio City, leads you directly opposite- you guessed it- Home Alone 2’s famous Rockafeller Christmas Tree and Ice rink. Exactly pictured in the film, the tree is a magnificent 75 to 90 feet tall and is annually erected in late November. The tradition began during the Depression-era construction of Rockefeller Centre, when workers decorated a small balsam fir tree with "strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even a few tin cans" on Christmas Eve, 1931, and has continued ever since.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands opposite the Rockafeller Centre, a poignant way to reflect for a moment and light a candle within the historic, magnificent cathedral.

As my partner is a devout NBA fan, a trip to the NBA Store was a good way of satisfying someone’s basketball passion as well as buying a souvenir- Sorted.

New York: In Five Days- Day 3

Day Three

Spending your morning at Broadway, why not check out the local I Love NY Tourism Office. This place is a chic, helpful way to find out information about the city, and you can even buy tickets for various sights ie. Empire State Building, saving you hours of queuing time at 9 in the morning. They were fantastic for providing me key local knowledge aka places to catch some New York Jazz without being 21 and over (as I was 20 at the time.) Name, address and phone number was at hand to prepare me for the night.

Broadway is great for leading you straight back to midtown Manhattan, giving you the time to walk around and explore the glitz of the show business skyline. Now it is time for an early lunch across the road, giving you some leeway to proceed for an afternoon Carnegie Hall show.

With its epic interior, the Carnegie Hall exemplifies music at its best. The acoustics are perfect in amplifying the glorious music performed there. It was a class performance of Handel’s Messiah by New York’s Philharmonic Orchestra.

After that classic afternoon, a little walk through the illuminations of 5th Avenue and 42nd Street is a perfect way to soak in the vibrant atmosphere. From Times Square, Bryant Park and Grand Central to Chrysler building; you can catch a range of sights. Bryant Park is a perfect vision over the festive period; charming markets and ice-skating galore is enough to bubble your Christmas joy. But the highlight of the evening was Cleopatra’s Needle, a Jazz and Blues restaurant and bar with raw talent at its front.

Over some red wine and Italian cuisine, melt into the sounds of 1950s jazz and warm, fluid voices. With local talents dotted throughout the small vicinity; it was glorious to see the manager ask the maestros join in with the magic hands of the eclectic pianist (especially exciting for those under 21!)

New York: In Five Days- Day 2

Day Two

Another early rising, head to Lower Manhattan (Bowling Green/ Cortlandt Street) to take a free ride to Staten Island and call in on the actual first lady of America, Ms. Statue of Liberty. Here you have a choice to take the entire tour; go up to the top of the statue and visit the museum; or if you are exceedingly frozen, head back for the next boat. Here you can take a train in the other direction to go over the Brooklyn Bridge (as I did by mistake) or venture through Lower Manhattan. Time to grab some lunch!

As I wasn’t as smart as I should have been and my toes became increasingly frostbitten, this was a perfect opportunity for me to visit Macy’s and buy some suitable foot attire. Now, this being a few days before Christmas- mayhem was an understatement.

After I managed to pry myself out of the labyrinth of a department store, I headed back to Lower Manhattan: first stop, Trinity Church. Everything being a short distance from each other, it is a gentle stroll towards ‘Ground Zero,’ a moment to reflect with the various dedications and memorials beside it. From there, it is easy to head down to Southend Historic Seaport.

With quaint little shops lining the sides of the port, it is quite picturesque; catching the evening glow in the water.

At this point, as I did take the dip into couch surfing, my wonderful host took me out to a party in Queen’s side. Just another reason to try something different!

New York: In Five Days- Day 1

Day One

If you are feeling slightly jet-lagged (for those living in Britain), this is a great opportunity to wake up refreshed and early enough to catch a stroll through the blissful, Central Park. Aiming for about 7.30am, head to 86th Street via our beloved subway, and walk through stopping off at Bellevedere Castle along the way. Make your way to the entrance of Museum of Metropolitan Art for 9am near 81st Street.

Meander through countless centuries of stunning art, from Medieval Christianity and Italian Renaissance to modern contemporary and abstract photography. Enough to get the little grey cells bubbling with creativity and pure imagination.

Grab some local cuisine at various hot dog vendors dotted around. If you are vegetarian, there are always cafes located nearby. Walk a few blocks northwards and spot the famous Guggenheim Art Gallery to the right, for people with more conceptual minds. After viewing the spectacular art work, head back on the metro tracks to 51st Street to book in advance some essential viewing of Broadway shows.


As my visit was during Christmas, there were definitely a few must-sees at this time. So heading to Radio City to reserve tickets for the annual Radio City Christmas Bonanza, The Rockettes and more gave me enough festive jitters for the next few days. Tickets are pretty steep for these shows, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity if you don’t plan to return anytime soon. Just around the corner, a few blocks away is the world renowned Carnegie Hall. From the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club, the Carnegie Hall has been host to thousands of artists from the late 19th century. At this period of time, Handel’s Messiah was performing and without a doubt I bought the cheapest ticket-$10 for a concession ticket, therefore remember to bring your Student ID; you can get a fair few discounts for tourist attractions this way.

Down 52nd streets and general Midtown Manhattan, you really get a sense of the hustle and bustle of New York, Radio City being opposite to the Rockafeller Centre, 5th Avenue and Times Square. This is certainly a great chance to stretch your legs and see New York’s mammoth structures by foot. (Just remember to wrap up warm in winter, and wear appropriate footwear!)

New York: On a Shoestring

For those with limited time and a student bank balance, here is an idea of how to keep your purse intact without burning a hole in it:

The Essentials

So getting to New York consists of a six-hour flight to JFK Airport, costing from £250 to £350 depending on how early you book, therefore get in as soon as possible. October to December seems to be the peak time, but also the most festive and cold period; expect snow and lots of it.

Just before you leave, it’s always a good opportunity to check out New York’s subway routes. This is going to be your horse and carriage for the next few days. In 2008, the fare for a 7 day pass MetroCard was $21, but has been increased to $27 this year. It is value for money, as the MetroCard gives you unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight. Guard it with your life.

Now comes for the clincher, and not usually for the faint-hearted. But if you are strapped for cash, then your best bet for a few nights accommodation is to try out www.couchsurfing.com. You may just get just a sofa or if you are lucky, a bed for the duration of your stay; however, it is a great way to meet locals, get firsthand advice and save a bit of money for the finer things in life.

Otherwise, if you are looking for a more private affair, hostels and guesthouses are the cheaper option. Typically they range from £13 for a dorm room or £24 for a private room, but will set you back a bit. Check out www.hostels.com for some great deals online. It’s best to have a look beforehand, to get the cheapest deals, and you are able to use a Maestro card in some places.