Couch Surfing in Amsterdam

This is my awesome host Ramon 'Mo' who I met through Couch Surfing (http://www.couchsurfing.com/). With this network, you can crash on a person's couch for free. It's an opportunity to stay with a local and save money. Most importantly, you're experiencing a cultural exchange.

How do you do it?
First, you create a profile, like Facebook, Match.com, etc. Second, you search for couches available in the city you wish to visit. Third, email the person whom you want to stay with.

Is it safe?
Again, not everyone is out to get you! But of course use common sense and have a backup plan in case it doesn't work out. I think you get a good sense of a person by reading their profile.

Do they feed you?
They don't have to, it's the host's decision. Mo gives me free access to his fridge.

Why did I pick Mo?
I found him interesting, fun, free spirited, and we have common interests. At the end of his profile he wrote that he receives 5-10 requests per day, and if you get picked, consider yourself lucky, and in order to let him know I read his complete profile, write Ramone is great! in the subject line. Well, I took it a step further and wrote Ramon is God!. And we know how well that worked.

He traveled the world for 22 months some years back. You can read about it on his website http://www.letmestayforaday.com/. It's a pretty amazing story. He created this website and had followers offering their home, plane tickets, food, etc., for him to stay with them. His travels were covered in media worldwide.

How's it going?
Fantastic. Staying with locals is the way to travel.

There's also a Swedish woman named Frieda staying at Mo's place. Mo said he's hosted 90 Couch Surfers in the last 2 years!