Maybe you were already thinking..what the hell is She doing down there and who are all those People She is posing with on the Pictures…
Yes. Thats a good question. And the answer is: Couchsurfing.
For those of you who have Never heard of that…just keep reading. But in Advance: its nothing illegal or dangerous!
2 Weeks before i decided to do this Trip on my own – it was the First Time that i heard of the Couchsurfing Community. In a Way it seemed weird to me… But on the other Hand i thought – my parents also have a bed and breakfast and Host People they don’t Know before. The difference at Couchsurfing is that you stay at somebodys private House or Apartment. And those People who either Surf or Host are mainly Keen on travelling and want to get to know New People and New countries from the View of a Local. This Kind of Attitude Makes it easy for somebody travelling alone to Feel everywhere like Home. But to get some impressions i will just describe u my Trip until now:
-1. Pretrip: I registered just one week before I left – but got already a. Request from Bernard from Malta – also a Young entrepreneur to Hang out in Vienna for some hours. So we did – and finally i could already get my first Tips how to Be a Active member of the cs Community.
And finally my own couchsurfing experience started:
1. Card tricks with juanito in Málaga: stayed at Juanitas Apartment with another couple from poland – Close to the Center. He had two extra rooms for couchsurfers and He just Liked to Host People from all over the World – As He was Not travelling that much. He had really amazing Card tricks… i still believe that He is actually a magician. But in málaga i didnt meet only Juanito – but also Sebastian – original from argentina – but now Living in spain and studying. We had a really Funny afternoon and He introduced me to tinto de verano…. Red wine with lemonjuice and ICE – already drinking in the afternoon on the beach – and told me about the Historic spanish Empire. What Sounded really interesting at that Moment As i remember it – but because of my Short Term Memory in history – already forgot it.
2. Alhambra at night with antonio in Granada: there i stayed at Antonios Apartment what He was Sharing with His Brother Santiago. This was a real mens Apartment – but still had One room Left for couchsurfers. Antonio just prepared His own Trip to do the camino – so we went Shopping together to Buy a backpack for him and we tried together to organize it As light As possible. After tight sightseeing schedule Dinner was always just starting at 11.00pm – and afterwards of course going on Party with Other couchsurfers.
During visiting the Alhambra i Met even a Young couple from prague – who also travelled with cs – and we spent a day Sightseeing together. By coincidence i Met them 2 Weeks later again in Porto – while they were just waiting for their cs host. World is really Small.
3. Students party with Mimi in Sevilla: After Granada i decided to visit sevilla altough i had to expect 46 degrees there. So i stayed only One night. At the students Room of mimi Garcia – a Erasmus Student from mexico. She spoke Hardly english – so this were the 2 days when i improved my spanish on 200%. for 2 days i felt like being on Erasmus again: Living with 4 international Students, having breakfast at 12 am, and going in the evening on a Students Party. And especially Lot of Tricks from mimi how to get as much As possible for less money. Loved this sweet mexican Girl.
4. Sardines and beach with Nuno in lagos: After spain i moved on to the algarve in Portugal. And landed at nuno’s Place. With 2 German girls on 50 m2 and Nuno sleeping in a hangcock on the balcony. May sound strange – and yes it was in the beginning – but finally worked out to a great Austrian german partying connection and Nuno was absolutely uncomplicated.I even could borrow his car to visit sagres. And he went with us to eat the best sardines in town. Experience of Lagos: weird – but great !
5. Codfish and shoes with filipe in Lisbon next to the pope: instead of 4 people in 50 m2 – filipe provided a big couch in the center of Lisbon with 150 m2 – just opposite to the embassy of Vatican. I explored the city by walking and buying shoes – but was introduced to the art of cooking codfish – prepared by filipe himself.
6. Portwine and introduction of portugese history:
Last but not least I stayed at davides.place in Porto who showed me the city and the secret of the portwine. He was also really into the topic explaining me the connection with the portugese colonies and the civilwars and the regime Portugal had until 1972. again my old problem- sounded absolutely interesting at that moment – but unfortunately forgot it already again. Sorry davide.
7. No couches available on Mallorca – but met katja from st. Petersburg in a hostel In Palma – also an experienced cs – and we decided to do room sharing for 6 days on the island.
That was actually the point where the real Couchsurfing experience After 13 nights and 6 great, funny and interesting hosts and lot of other nice people I met during this time ended. 6 days in hostels and apartment followed – as I m not really 22 anymore – I needed already some time for relaxing. And how I finally spent the day of my birthday – read on the next point on my list.
17. Do the couchsurfing thing was definitely one of the best decisions how to spend a vacation traveling alone. Discovered Portugal and Spain with making new friends. CHECK!
See some impressions below: and try to fit the Stories to the Pictures – didnt have more Time . Have to go out now for Party.
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