Travel Richly by Couch Surfing

Have you always wanted to make friends around the world? I have. And so I joined the non-profit CouchSurfing site a couple of years ago. But only this summer did I surf my first couch: a truly enriching experience. Even if I never see my “host” again I feel like I’ve made a friend.

It’s not a mere “hotel substitute.” Their goal is as follows:

“CouchSurfing.com helps you make connections worldwide. You can use the network to meet people and then go and surf other members’ couches! When you surf a couch, you are a guest at someone’s house. They will provide you with some sort of accommodation, a penthouse apartment or maybe a back yard to pitch your tent in. Stays can be as short as a cup of coffee, a night or two, or even a few months or more. When you offer your couch, you have complete control of who visits.”

Feel Good Metrics

With the momentum of several years, Couch Surfing seems to be hitting the “mainstream,” and now I hear friends mention it all the time. Check out the good energy they’ve created:

CouchSurfers 697,357
Successful Surf or Host Experiences 606,243
Friendships Created 748,720
Positive Experiences 1,219,741
Countries Represented 232
Cities Represented 46,949

They focus on safety. A clever verification process uses credit card authentication to make sure your name matches your mailing address and credit card. (Do I need to add that you’re responsible for your own safety and to use intuition?)

Why Surf? Imagine the Potential Synchronicity

Whether you’re hosting or a couch surfer, you’re automatically going to have commonalities:

• You’re both curious about people from other cultures and the world.
• You’re adventurous and open.
• You seeking out friends and connections.

I don’t know about you, but just reading what I wrote made me all the more inspired to continue couch surfing and hosting on future travels.

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Fun Way to Waste Time & a Clever Marketing Campaign

Need I say more?

Yearbook Yourself is an interesting marketing campaign by a mall operator. You upload a pic of yourself, choose if you’re male or female, then can browse through photos from the 1950s through the 1980s, to see your “yearbook” picture.

It’s totally fun to look for your perfect retro yearbook pic….for your Facebook profile photo For marketers, it’s a great example of viral marketing to reach the target audience (teens and parents).

Yes if you make one I want to see it!

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Make Your Bucket List Adventures Happen

After a lifetime of outdoor adventures and sports certifications Kevin Crowe started an adventure travel “concierge” service - Bucket List Adventure Coaching, based in Georgia. It’s a cool idea: He connects people with the types of outdoor and extreme adventures undertaken in the movie The Bucket List as well as those often found on many life lists.

Kevin is clearly practicing what he preaches. One of his pics includes him pushing Lance Armstrong aside as he beats him in a bike race (or maybe I’m reading into the photo).

Check out Kevin’s company for inspiration to go for the extreme outdoor adventure you’ve only dreamed of!

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Dreaming of Being a Blue Man ?

If you’re watched one too many Arrested Development episodes where Tobias dresses up in Blue Man paint, perhaps you’re wondering how and if you too can become a Blue Man!

Well NPR recently featured a story on how to audition for the Blue Man Group.

Be the first to add this goal to your life list and apply on the Blue Man Group Casting website!

According to their site: “The dream of being a Blue Man may be no further than your willingness and desire to take a chance.”

Please send pics.

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