Couch Surfing

So I set a number of goals I wanted to accomplish while I was in New Zealand, and many of them have to do with opening my mind to new experiences that may defy the standards of "normalcy". Don't worry family, I'm not talking anything supremely dangerous or out there, and for all you pervs out there, get your mind out of the gutter...I'm talking about things like busking on the streets for fun, or going on road trips with people you meet the day before. I also really wanted to try out couch surfing, which I am proud to say that I am currently doing in Wanaka.

So what is couch surfing? Well, it's a website set up for travelers, sort of like wwoofing, where you can post an online profile detailing who you are, what you do, your philosophies on life, interests, pictures, whatever...and then you can search for "hosts", people who are willing to let them come and sleep on their couch for free, in the places you are traveling. It's no strings attached- you don't have to work in exchange for the couch, so it's free accommodation usually with locals who live in the town. Awesome idea, because everyone is trying to travel on a budget, so the words "free" and "accomodation" are clearly alluring. And bonus: people who are willing to open up their homes to complete strangers usually are pretty keen on traveling themselves, so they know what it feels like to be a backpacker. Of course there are risks involved: you're literally walking into someone's house who you only have communicated once or twice with via internet, and I will tell you that if I walked into this situation and saw a myriad of weapons dangling from the walls and was greeted by a man with a hunchback and a little hand, I would have turned straight around. However, fortunately for me, I was greeted with a beer and 3 new friends.

Hayley, Taylor, and Kira are the girls I am couch surfing with, and they are all American Working holiday makers in Wanaka. I know, I know...why couch surf wtih Americans while in New Zealand? Well, they were 1 of 3 hosts in Wanaka, and when I read Hayley's profile (beach bum, plays guitar, soccer, music, running, traveling..) I figured this would be a pretty risk-free couch surf session with a girl who sounds a lot like me. So I messaged them, and amongst the 10 otherr couch surfing requests they had for these days, they invited me to come stay. Now these chicks are awesome: they have been hosting couch surfers every day for like, 4 weeks straight...one after another after another, letting travelers crash on their mattress on the floor, inviting them to go rock climbing and do Yoga, sharing their kitchen and food and home with people...and I'll tell you what,I've been here for 3 days and I already feel like this place is my home.

But what's awesome about couch surfing besides that it is free, is that you become a part of someone else's life for a little while. The first day I was there, hayley took me rock climbing. Now, the only rock climbing I have ever really done has been at North Penn high School on the rock wall. pretty safe. Hayley took me to legitimate rocks...30 foot cliffs that you literally climb like spider man, trusting your bah-lay-er with your life to make sure that if you fall, they will not let go of the rope. So as I am dangling off the endge of this rock face that overlooks lake wanaka, i decide that I really like couch surfing. And it's been like that since I got here: these girls have been more than awesome hosts and I am happy to say that I am still alive and kicking after this adventure into the unknown. Next time I couch surf, i am going to do it with Kiwis. But the only problem is, you need to request couches a week or so in advance because so many fucking people are in New Zealand traveling at the moment. And because I am really being blown around the island like the wind, I have no idea where I am going to be in a week's time. But- onwards to Oamuru today. Who knows what this next week will bring.