I was introduced by a friend to try out CouchSurfing but after trying to request for a local to host me at his place, all my requests were declined. There are several factors that contribute to my failure in getting a place to stay.
- Most of the hosts cannot answer me if they could host me or not because they told me it's too early for them to know. I am a person who prefers to plan and book everything in advance before my travelling date because I do not like to do things last minute.
- Some hosts asked me to ask them again two weeks before my arrival to check if they could host me at their place or not but that would be quite stressful for me. I mean, what if they told me at the very last minute that they couldn't host me and I'm left with no place to sleep. That would mean I am left with two weeks to find another host.
- One of the hosts asked how come I do not have references in my profile. References are reviews written by hosts whom have hosted you at their place or guests whom have stayed at your place. I told the host that I'm new at this and therefore, I have not stayed in anyone's place before and no one has stayed at mine. That is why there is no references in my profile yet. I mean, everyone starts from zero, right?
And so, that is why I didn't get anyone who are willing to offer me a place to stay at their place. Giving up at CouchSurfing, I decided to just get my own accommodation at budget hostel which is near to the places I want to visit.
This time, I'll be visiting 4 cities around Europe. In year 2015, I have visited 8 cities namely; Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome, and Vatican City. Which are the 4 cities I'm going to visit this time? Stay tuned for my next post!
