Couch Surfing: First Time Hosting
Posted on 24. May, 2010 by Poi in Blog
Hosting Couch Surfers for the First Time.
About this time last week (at the time of writing) Kirsty forwarded an email to me at work. It was from couch surfing, two German guys wanted to come and surf my couch that very night. At first I was a bit iffy about having them stay as it was such late notice and I already had some plans for that evening, but I did what I’m sure everyone does when they receive a request and checked out both their profiles.
I’ll reveal their names here, otherwise I would keep referring to them as ‘the Germans’ – Stefan and Artur. They both had loads of positive reviews from their previous hosts and I really wanted to host someone before we went away. So I accepted their request, thinking that hopefully someone would put us up at late notice if we were ever in need.
I got a reply back shortly after saying they would be arriving in a few hours. After realising I had just agreed to let some strangers stay at my house without warning my housemates I decided to go home and clean up a bit as my house was how you say……….a shithole.
Stefan and Artur
One of my friends (Lucy) was coming over that night to cook for a couple of us so I gave her a quick warning that we might need some more food. Before I knew Stefan and Artur were at the door, we went through the standard hellos and found out their story. They had been hitchhiking around England for a few weeks either couch surfing or camping anywhere they could after completing their national service.
I was quite impressed with how many places they had been to and how nice people had been to them. It turned out the car that dropped them off which I thought was a taxi was actually their host from the previous night who had drove them 30 miles from his house. It made me wonder how far I could travel round this country and how nice people would be without the novelty of being foreign.
The first thing they wanted to do was to get some beer, I had a feeling these two chaps were going to fit in just fine with my group of friends who were sure to show up at some point that evening! They both spoke amazing English, both learnt at school and Artur spent ten months (if my memory serves me correctly) as an exchange student in the US which has given his English a bit of a twist.
Still going strong 6am saturday morning
After introducing me and my friends to some new drinking games, we headed to meet even more of my friends. My memory isn’t so great after this other than some pictures of us chilling on top of a van (don’t know why) and looking at my phone and seeing it was just after 8am when crawling into bed. It was one of the best nights in a while and we asked if they would like to stay another night as we had another big one planned.
We had another amazing night out and Stefan and Artur who had just about met everyone I know by now. They said it was like being with their own friends at home and it showed as they were comfortable around everyone and you would have never guessed we’d only just met.
The morning before they arrived at mine Stefan and Artur decided that they fancied checking out Italy before trying to get home by June 21st, which they think is the date they can apply for university.
They joked about staying until they had to be back in June but after two nights it was time to go. After handing over email address’ and facebook contacts, Lucy was kind enough to drop them by the motorway where they planned to hitchhike to Dover and across to France. I spoke to them a few days later and they had made it to Dover easily and were couch surfing again.
I had an amazing weekend and I’m so glad I agreed to take them in. As far as my first time hosting I couldn’t have asked for better people, so much fun. I consider them both friends and now all I need is an excuse to take them up on their offer of a couch in Germany.
Poi
25 Responses to “Couch Surfing: First Time Hosting”
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May 29, 2010
[...] wrote a great story about their first time hosting couchsurfers. Their new German friends, Stefan and Artur, look like they had a great time staying in [...]
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May 31, 2010
[...] Couch Surfing: First Time Hosting: I am a huge fan of Couchsurfing, and I’ve hosted in Boston, but never had anyone stay over. Poi from No Place to Be hadn’t hosted until now — and he had quite the crazy time with his German guests! Man, if I had room in my tiny apartment, I would host for sure… [...]
An English couple travelling China and South East Asia since August 2010. 
Suzy
24. May, 2010
Sounds like you had a great experience with some fun Germans. What a remarkable way they are traveling too.
.-= Suzy´s last blog ..Suzy Stumbles Over Travel: Week of May 24, 2010 =-.
Poi & Kirsty
25. May, 2010
It was a great weekend – They showed us their map when they arrived and it was crazy how many places they had been in such a short amount of time – I didn’t think hitch hiking would work that well in the UK.
Poi
Erica
24. May, 2010
My sister in law/roommate thinks we’re nuts for getting even involved with the Couchsurfing scene. I wish we could convince her hubby to let us host but I don’t think it will happen. I’ll just have to live vicariously through you!
.-= Erica´s last blog ..A Case of the Doubts =-.
Poi & Kirsty
25. May, 2010
I think it is hard for some people to grasp and I guess it’s only for a certain type of person as well – people like us who want to travel and get to know people.
Poi
Kelly
25. May, 2010
I’ve been with couchsurfing since 2007 and LOVE it! I’ve met so many amazing people. Hosting helps me feel like I’m travelling and couchsurfing makes me feel at home, so it’s the best of both worlds. I highly recommend it! It renews faith in humanity.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Traveling Alone in Morocco =-.
Poi & Kirsty
25. May, 2010
“It renews faith in humanity” It does!
Many people are so suspicious and negative towards each other and it’s great to see something like couchsurfing where you can connect with complete strangers and just enjoy it.
Thanks for checking our site out.
Poi
Dustin Main - Skinny Backpacker
26. May, 2010
So great to see so many first time couchsurfing posts come up recently. I think it’s amazing, and although I haven’t hosted yet, I’ve surfed a bunch of times, and been to countless meetups. You’ll have a great time surfing on your travels!
Poi & Kirsty
26. May, 2010
Hosting for the first time really opened my eyes to how great couch surfing is and I can’t wait to meet all sorts of people once we se off.
Poi
Ian [EagerExistence]
26. May, 2010
I have only ever hosted on CouchSurfing.org. I look forward to the days when I can be a carefree surfer!
But I have about 10 similar experiences. None really negative yet. Sure each traveller is different, but thats what makes the experience so special.
Because of my busy work/training schedule, I don’t get a lot of time to be the friendly, social host; but I enjoy the conversation, and attempts at sharing the cooking.
Oh, and I always feel like I have to race home and clean the place before I let the surfer in. But Im just messy
Poi & Kirsty
26. May, 2010
I’m looking forward to seeing who comes my way next, like you say everyone is different so it will always be interesting to hear everyones stories.
Thanks for checking out our blog!
Poi.
Candice
26. May, 2010
Well then, looks like I’m surfing your couch at some point in the future.
.-= Candice´s last blog ..The Front Step Poop Story =-.
Poi & Kirsty
26. May, 2010
I’ll get the drinks in ready!
Poi
Eli
27. May, 2010
Awesome, man. It’s all about the karma. You know before reading this I never even thought to look into couch surfing. I’ve done a little of it before, but at the time I didn’t really think of it by its name. Great way to meet great people!
.-= Eli´s last blog ..Deviation: A Part of the Plan & A Sign =-.
Poi & Kirsty
27. May, 2010
couchsurfing.org is brilliant, I just can’t wait to get on the road so I can play guest!
Abby
27. May, 2010
Loved this! It sounds so fun. I’d actually never read anyone’s account of meeting couchsurfers for the first time. They’re cute, too, wow. Dying that you stayed up all night drinking — and then asked them to stay another night!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..The dark side of being a single expat =-.
Poi & Kirsty
27. May, 2010
Can’t say I was attracted to them but they were a lot of fun and of course if someone wants to stay up all night drinking I want them to stay forever……
Poi
ayngelina
02. Jun, 2010
I still haven’t couchsurfed! Okay I’m putting it in writing, within one month of today I’ll break the seal and couchsurf somewhere.
.-= ayngelina´s last blog ..Reunited and it feels so good =-.
Poi & Kirsty
02. Jun, 2010
I will hold you to this, one month from now I will expect to have read a post about what a great time you have had with some strangers.
Poi
Andi
03. Jun, 2010
Awww, that’s a fantastic way to start your CSing life!
Just wait until you see all of the amazing experiences you’re going to have with future CSers. It’s the best!!!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..India: Day 3 (Part 4) =-.
Poi & Kirsty
03. Jun, 2010
I think my hosting career is over for a while as I’m moving back with my parents for the last couple of months before we go but I can’t wait to go and stay with lots of interesting people.
Poi
Lucy
10. Jun, 2010
Hey, I’m just practising as poi just showed me how to write on this thing, so i can write when you guys go away. That weekend when the germans were here was epic. Good times. If all couch surfers are as cool as those guys everyone should have a good time.
Luce
Poi & Kirsty
10. Jun, 2010
hello Luce! You planning on being a host when you head to Warwick?? Kirsty x
Lucy
15. Jun, 2010
Maybe I will….we shall see what my accomodation is like. But it would be really cool, as long as the people were as much fun as the Germans. I have Tottenham Ted all ready for his mini adventure away before he goes on the big adventure with you guys! Boom! Luce x