Anna and Bogdan are a married couple from Ukraine and have been traveling Asia for more than a year. They hitchhiked from their home country through Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia! Here’s their story…

From the beginning of our trip we had money only for visas. Our purpose was not to save, but to be closer to ordinary people, nature, culture and local traditions. When you have no money, people try to help. You become a guest and are like friends or relatives! Every day of the trip is an adventure. We like to visit the sights, but our first aim is to understand lifestyle, traditions and cultures of the people who live there.

We’re now in Brunei where we’re staying with our friend Sofiah, who we met via Couchsurfing. Very often people ask us if we are afraid to travel so far without money. But we believe that all the world is kind. Do the best and the world will help you.

For more than a year, many people from different countries helped us see the world. They gave us a ride when we were hitchhiking, they treated us to traditional food, they invited us to their houses, they told us about their life and culture. We are so thankful for their kindness and hospitality.

That is why now we plan to come back home and do the same for others. We want to host, to treat, to show around and to help many travelers! We feel that we should do this to back in to the world all positive energy that other people gave us in this long trip!

COUCHSURFING

Couchsurfing is a neologism referring to the practice of moving from one friend’s house to another, sleeping in whatever spare space is available, floor or couch, generally staying a few days before moving on to the next house.

Safety concerns

Members are encouraged to review references left for someone before hosting or staying with them Members are also encouraged to review negative references.

There is no safety mechanism to verify the claimed identity of a member, and there is no legal contract binding members to couchsurfing or other members according to the Terms of Service.] The couchsurfing company is not providing any help of any sort in case of conflicts emerging between members as stated in the Terms of Service.]

Crimes committed using Couchsurfing

Crimes committed using Couchsurfing as a way to meet victims include:

• The rape of a 29-year-old woman from Hong Kong by a 34-year old Moroccan in Leeds, United Kingdom in 2009.
• Guests filmed in the shower by their 37-year old host in Marseille, France in 2012[
• The drugging and rape of a 16-year old Australian girl by an Italian police officer in Padua, Italy in 2013
• The brutal murder of a 25-year old American woman in Pokhara, Nepal in August 2015.

DISCUSSION

1. What kind of people would leave their families and jobs behind to travel for a year?
2. Would you ever do that? Why (not)? When?
3. Would you be afraid of traveling without money?
4. When you travel abroad, what are you looking for?

Rank the items: 1- the least important and 5 the most important when traveling abroad:

______  adventure                                          ______ sightseeing

______  shopping                                            ______ getting close to nature

______ learning about new culture            ______ learning a new language

______ understanding the lifestyle            ______ relaxing

• What’s your opinion about CouchSurfing? Would you ever be a member?

• Say whether you agree (A), disagree (D) or partially agree (PA):

1. (    ) The world is kind. Do your best and the world will help you.
2. (    ) Hitchhiking is safe when you’re traveling abroad.
3. (    ) It’s boring to host, treat and show foreigners around.
4. (    ) CouchSurfing is the best way to travel at a low budget.
5. (    ) It’s a risk to host couchsurfers. There are many freaks in the world.
6. (    ) The spirit of generosity, when applied liberally, has the power to profoundly change the world.
7. (    ) Connection makes us happier; we need more of it.
8. (    ) We’re here to make the world better, to enhance each other’s lives and to become stronger in that purpose by coming together.
9. (    ) We become better world citizens through travel.