Couch Surfing

Me, the superenthusiast of Couch Surfing, the one, who suggested everyone to join this comunity, is totally dissapointed now. 

During one year it has changed so much. Instead of sharing cultures, experiences, life stories and other goods, now most of members turn out to be guys over 30, who offer to share their bed. 

If not that long time ago finding a host was easier, than winning 5 years old boy in table tennis, now it has became a really hard struggle.

Not for everyone, of course. Amazing hosts will happily host good looking blodes and show them the maximum of their hospitality, of course, expecting some fun in return. 

But try to find a host in a big city, when you are travelling with your boyfriend/another guy! Just give a try! You will face hundreds of half-filled profiles, which obviously are made only for hunting - with no references or only few, females as preferences etc. 

DISGUSTING. And this time I really mean it. Why the hell you, guys, ruin such an amazing website for passionate travellers and explorers, while there are so many dating sites, where girls with an account are looking excatly for the same?

I am really pissed off.. honestly. Generally to find a host I used to send smth like 7-10 requests and then just chose the perfect one for me. Now, when we are about to go to Rome, I`ve sent more than 100 requests and guess what - only ONE positive answer. ONE. And the same guy managed to ask already, is it possible, if I come alone? 

I just want to warn myself and others - it`s not the same anymore ( in big cities like Rome, also Barcelona etc.).

If anyone plans to use CS, my suggestions are:

1. Start looking for a host smth like 1 month in advance. During the season big cities ar damn busy. You will be just one of 1000000 other surfers.

2. Make a really good, short request, which could be interesting for your host. (they receive hundreds every day).

3. Be careful with those hunters, it`s hard to get rid of them.

4. Prepare alternatives in advance. 

 * Hostel is a bad alternative (if u don`t book it on time) - I tried to search 2 weeks in advance - cheapest options were booked, of course, so the price of a Mixed dormitory of 6 people costed smth like 25 euros per night. Whola! Seriously.

My alternatives:

- www.airbnb.com - a really nice webpage, where you can rent a room of someone (the price is the same as a hostel, just you have your own privacy, it`s clean and more safe).

- www.bewelcome.org - smth similar to CS, seems to be a new webpage. I didn`t discover it yet, but could be one of the options.

I mean - I`m in CS for 3 years or more... but I never faced such a situation. Sad, sad, sad.