Everyone seems to be jumping on the Couch Surfing Bandwagon at the moment. And why not, it’s a great concept. Travel around the world, staying for free and meeting some cool and interesting people at the same time. There’s plenty written about the etiquette of surfing someone’s couch, but not so much available on how to be a good host. Here’s some thoughts I’ve based around my experience of giving up my couch to globetrotters.

• Be a good host and print off a map of your city, and some sight seeing tips. They’ll be available from your city councils website. You probably don’t want to go and see all the tourist sights in your city, so by giving some details on what’s around and how to get there you excuse yourself from having to do all that mundane stuff like waiting in line at museums, freeing yourself to do what ever it is you actually want to do with your spare time.
• Tidy up a bit. Despite what you might have thought, most people are not indifferent about eating dinner at a table strewn with dirty gym socks, a full ashtray and the latest addition of ‘Jugs’.
• Respect your surfer’s life choices. Sure, they’re staying at your place, but it doesn’t mean they have to agree with everything you say. You might have different political beliefs, who cares? So what if you’re a vegetarian and they eat the equivalent of their own body weight in steak each day. If you are a staunch vegetarian and don’t like meat being cooked in your house let them know before you agree to them staying with you. Don’t force your beliefs down their throat (with a side of lentils). Having said that, this whole concept is about exchanging ideas and different ways of life, so healthy debate is good as long as they’re into it as much as you are.  This also applies to trying to convert them to your religion.
• Don’t be the weird guy that leers at the Scandinavian backpacker who are asleep on your couch. It can be awkward enough for a surfer staying in a strangers house, don’t make it worse than it has to be. This also means NO ‘accidentally’ opening the bathroom door with fake cries of “Oh, I didn’t know you were in here!” and don’t walk around in your boxers all day. Chances are you’re probably not as hot as you think you are.  This brings me to my next point;
• Don’t sleep with the couch surfer. Unless it’s the last night that they’re staying with you. Especially don’t do this if you have a partner or you’re not all that great in bed. One of the benefits of a one-night stand is that you can leave in the morning with minimal awkwardness. This isn’t so with a couch surfer staying with you for a few nights. If you do happen to succumb and end up getting together with your couch surfer and it isn’t all that great, try to make yourself scarce until they leave. Why prolong the weirdness? Sleeping with the couch surfers goes against the whole principal of meeting new travellers and exchanging ideas and experiences, so do try to keep it in your pants.
• On a personal note, double check your potential surfer’s profile before committing to letting them crash at your place. ALL of their profile. I recently had a couch surfer request to stay at my place, we agreed on a date and while waiting for him to come one evening I had another look at his profile only to find that the previous host had left some pretty scathing comments – it turns out my guest started his own religion and claimed to be the messiah. He spent all of his time at their house trying to convert them to his own religion, called them fascists for not following his beliefs, and then helped himself to the pantry, throwing out all the food that he deemed unhealthy. Suffice to say I made up an excuse and cancelled on him. A poor move by me but one that I felt was necessary and I now resolve myself to double checking every detail of a potential surfer’s profile before agreeing to have them stay.

Couch Surfing is a wonderful concept but unfortunately there are hosts and surfers out there taking advantage of this phenomenon. Use a bit of commonsense before allowing someone into your home, and by participating positively to this social experiment of sorts you’ll be contributing to a more open, safe and enjoyable global travel community.

Follow Shane on Twitter or read about his travels at sanchezjalapeno.com

If you fly routinely you’ll begin to pick up on a few things that the people who breeze through the airports do.  Most importantly, they probably ignore most of the people surrounding them which would make life easier, but is difficult to do.  It seems when people fly, they lose half of their IQ points.

Here’s a few tips that will help make your life easier and also make you a better passenger to the other people flying with you.

• Be ready when you are going through security.  If you have a laptop, pull it out while you are in line. Take off your jacket and put your cell phone, change, and belt in a pocket in your backpack or carry-on so you don’t set off the alarm. Be careful with packs of gum as well.  Some use foil in their packaging and this can set off the metal detector. Remember, if you can do it while in line it will save time when you approach the belt.
• Go to the bathroom before boarding the plane. If your flight is only a couple of hours you probably won’t have to get up and use the tiny lavatory.
• When boarding begins wait for your boarding group to be called. Don’t be the person who stands in the way while several boarding groups in front of you are trying to board. Inevitably every time I fly there are 20+ people blocking the way and they’re the ones who are usually boarding last.

• Have small items like headphones or a book that you want during the flight ready before you get on the plane. If you travel with a carry-on, put it up above your seat. Not in the front of the plane. You’re just wasting room that other people need.
• Keep your jacket, purse, or small bag with you. If there is room when everybody has boarded the plane, go ahead and load it up top.
• When you recline your seat, do so slowly and be careful of laptops behind you. I try to turn around and see if the person behind me is working on a laptop.  Some airplane seats have very small tray tables and I have seem computer screens get smashed by reclining seats on more than one occasion.
• Don’t fall asleep on the person next to you. Especially if you drool.
• Close the windows, especially if you’re going to sleep. The sunlight can be blinding at certain angles and it usually causes glare on the TV monitors or laptops that people may be using.
• If you are listening to music, playing a game, or watching a movie, wear your headphones. People really don’t like hearing Super Mario Bro’s when they’re trying to sleep on a plane.

Have any other tips for flying like a pro?

Talk to several different travelers about their travel tips and you probably won’t hear the same answer twice. Everybody has their own preferences and techniques or they don’t bother planning at all. Both sides have their advantages and both have their disadvantages.

Some people enjoy planning their every moment from which hotel or hostel they’ll be staying out (including booking ahead of time) to which sights and activities they’ll enjoy. What most people find out is that things hardly go according to plan. This will probably create an internal dissonance that is stressful and threatening to the rest of your trip.

There’s also the traveler who plays everything by ear. They don’t know where they’ll be, what they’ll do, or where they’ll stay. This sort of laissez-faire attitude is probably much better for the psyche since it’s difficult to be disappointed in anything if you don’t have any plans, hopes, or desires.

Buy a guidebook

You’ll hear people against guidebooks all the time citing that they don’t want to follow the gringo trail, or simply do what Lonely Planet tells them to do. Of course, I hear all these things while staying in the same hostels that were listed in guidebooks, so go figure. The simple truth is that a guidebook offers a great resource to help plan your trip. I probably read more of the book in the weeks prior to my departure than I do while traveling and planning my days. There are just too many things that you should know beforehand. All of the things listed below should be covered in a good guidebook.

Travel time and transportation

How long does it take to get from point A to point B? How are you going to travel between two places and how much is it going to cost? You’ll be much better off if you know these things ahead of time.

I recently booked a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina on a whim thanks to some great ticket deals. I could rattle off the things I know about Argentina but logistically, I know very little. When a friend asked what I planned on doing (about an hour after booking my ticket) I told him I’d like to see the Iguazu falls, check out Patagonia, and of course, enjoy some time in Buenos Aires. After reading my Argentina guidebook I quickly realized that all of this would be very difficult to do in nine days with the long bus rides and I’d have to purchase plane tickets to get between these places quickly. Something that’s probably not in my budget. Time to rethink my plans, hopes, and desires and decide what is most important to squeeze in.

Location and availability of hotels and hostels

I’ve mentioned before that I don’t like to book someplace to sleep beyond my first night of arrival. Although I’ve had nothing but good luck with hostels and budget hotels while traveling, I don’t want to pre-pay for someplace that might turn out to be dirty or unsafe. I do like to know where they’re located though. I usually scope out two or three places in my guidebook before arriving and have a plan of attack to figure out which one I want to stay in. You should know ahead of time the average room price and where they are generally located. If you’re visiting a larger city, make sure the neighborhood you are looking at is safe and you might consider its location relative to any sights or activities you want to enjoy. There isn’t much of a point in staying at a place that’s $2 cheaper if you have to spend an hour crossing town.

Ideas and desires for sightseeing and activities

This should be a no-brainer. What sights do you want to take in? Are there any museums, monuments, etc that you plan to see? You don’t need to map them out, but have a good idea where they are and what they cost. If you are on a semi-limited time frame, maybe think about squeezing a few of them in during a single day.

Budget

Don’t forget to plan your finances for your trip. An often heard joke is to take half the clothes you think you need and twice the cash. Nothing could be more true. You’ll almost always need more money than you think so make sure you have a backup source, especially for emergencies.

If you’re using a guidebook for planning be sure to check the publication date. If it was published two years ago you better be ready to pay more than was written.

When I went to Budapest last year I was surprised to find that prices for nearly every restaurant were double what was printed in the guidebooks. Often when places get listed in a guidebook they quickly increase their prices. This is a great reason why you should venture out and experience local places that aren’t in guidebooks.

Important phrases from local language

A great thing to know when traveling abroad is some knowledge of the local language. Not only can it help logistically, but isn’t it much more polite to greet somebody in their language? You don’t need to be fluent, but try to learn a few key phrases and remember to be polite when language differences occur.

Backup ideas

You might think you know what you want to do for a week or however long you’re planning on staying somewhere but it’s wise to have some backup plans.

What happens if you can’t afford to stay in the big city? Maybe heading out to a smaller and cheaper town. Just because it’s not the popular tourist destination doesn’t mean it’s any less interesting. After all, the most authentic cultural experiences probably aren’t found downtown or near the airport.

If you’re anything like me you love gadgets, especially cameras.  I’ve done a lot with digital cameras and video cameras over the years and the innovations that are constantly being released never cease to amaze me.  If you’re an independent traveler, you better have a camera with you.  And, chances are, you find yourself in some interesting places and environments so let’s take a look at some of the coolest cameras for these various uses.

Note: How to Choose the Best Digital Camera for Traveling has been discussed here before.  The truth is, just about any camera will work for most jobs.  But if you’re picky, a gadget freak, or find yourself in some adventurous and unique shooting environments, you might want to consider these innovative cameras.

Olympus Stylus Waterproof Cameras

Olympus really is the leader in consumer waterproof digital cameras.  They come out with more models than anybody else and really, they’re all pretty good.  Definitely do your research and find the one that fits your needs the best, but I personally like the slightly outdated Olympus Stylus 1050SW since it is considerably cheaper than some of the newer models and still a very capable camera.  They’re pocketable and work just as well in standard weather as they do underwater

Olympus PEN E-P1

I have nothing against Olympus, but I never thought I would write about their cameras twice in the same post.  Then again, it wasn’t until earlier today that I learned about the Olympus PEN E-P1.  This camera looks SLICK.  Every camera aficionado loves classic rangefinders and the PEN is certainly stylish.

But it’s not impressive just because of its looks.  The small size packed body is equipped with a micro four-thirds sensor that offers both the quality and features of a standard DSLR.  It is nothing to ignore, especially for travelers.  I’ve found it too difficult to travel with a DSLR camera lately and usually opt to leave it home.  The Olympus PEN E-P1 just might be what photography enthusiasts need for traveling.

The PEN E-P1 starts at $749 and is available for pre-order.  It’s set to ship in July.

Nikon D5000

Sure, I just finished telling you how I don’t like to travel with a DSLR anymore but that’s just me.  Many still do and let’s face it, they are the ultimate in quality.  If you are serious about photography, you’re either currently using, or planning to start using, a Digital SLR camera.

There are higher end cameras available, but the Nikon D5000 is a great mid-range model.  Lots of features, great quality, and best of all, the first articulating LCD screen on a DSLR.  This can come in very handy in many awkward shooting angles.

The Nikon D5000 is available with an 18-55mm kit lens for $799 or less (sale prices have been common lately)

VholdR ContourHD Helmet Video Camera

The ContourHD helmetcam is part of the new wave of affordable helmet cameras available for extreme sports.  Of course these can be used for plenty activities like hiking or rock climbing.  I’m considering one for a motorcycle trip to Peru this fall.

What sets the ContourHD apart from the rest of the pack is, if you couldn’t tell by its name, the ability to shoot in HD.  It records about 8 hours of 720p H.264 encoded video to a microSD in a very compact unit.  The best part? They list for only $299.

The VholdR ContourHD is currently on sale for $279 at Amazon and if you purchase before June 27th, you’ll receive a $50 gift card, bringing the price down to only $229 with free shipping.  Hard to beat that!

Canon VIXIA High Definition Camcorders

Canon keeps updating their VIXIA line of HD camcorders faster than I can memorize them.  They’re sold to consumers, but don’t let the sub-$600 prices and soccer mom followings fool you.  These are very capable devices!  If you’re pretty serious about producing travel video, these are a great start.

A standard camcorder will rarely make professional quality video right out of the box, but the VIXIA line of camcorders are darn close.  Add on a decent microphone and wide-angle lens, then learn how to shoot, and you can be making 1080p HD footage that rivals most Travel Channel shows.

Canon VIXIA camcorders come in several different models with built in hard drives, flash memory, or HDV tape recording and start at $599.

Flip MinoHD Pocket HD Camcorder

The 3.3oz Flip MinoHD pocket camcorder is the ultimate in portability.  If you are shooting memories, you’d be hard pressed not to justify owning one of these to slip in your pocket or bag and be able to shoot decent quality HD video wherever you are.

They are extremely easy and convenient to use, but the video quality is nowhere near as good as the above mentioned Canon camcorders.  Nor should you expect it to be for less than $200.  But if you want to capture memories and share them online, you can’t beat it.

The Flip MinoHD costs less than $200 and also comes in various flashy colorings as well.

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With the subject of hostels last week I started thinking more about protecting your belongings while traveling.  There are very few real dangers around the world that you actually have to be worried about.  People love to exaggerate claims of violence and terrorism around the world (thanks media) but the truth is that your biggest concern is petty theft.  Here are a few ways you can fight back.

Money belt

These have become pretty popular over the last few years.  If you’re going to crowded places where pick pocketing might be a problem, a money belt is a good answer.  They’re made of soft fabric that won’t irritate your skin.  You were it around your waist and under your clothes and it’s nearly impossible to know you’re wearing it.

Here’s a tip though: I once traveled with a girl who wore one every day but she held all of her money in it.  So every time she had to pay for something, she had to open it up in public.  Not a wise idea.  Instead, keep a little bit of cash in a separate pocket so that you don’t have to reach into your money belt every time.  It is supposed to be hidden, right?

Pacsafe

Pacsafe has a few great solutions for securing your valuables or luggage in your room while you’re away.  It’s difficult to enjoy your traveling if you can’t leave things back in your room.  While many hostels are offering lockers, some leave you without a way to secure your valuables.  Hostels are, for the most part, very safe, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure your things are secure.  Here’s where Pacsafe comes in.

The Travelsafe 100 is essentially, a portable safe.  It’s a small pouch that is virtually indestructible.  Just put your money, passport, or even small camera inside and lock it to a bedpost or other secure place.

The other popular product by Pacsafe is Pacsafe55.  A small bag contains an expandable eXomesh cover that will wrap around your backpack and make it nearly impossible to get anything in or out of it.  Same as before, you lock it up to a bed post and it’s not going anywhere.  I don’t believe your clothes are in very much danger in a hostel, but this is a good option for people traveling with cameras or other expensive equipment that has its own bag.  These come in various sizes for different types and styles of backpacks.

If you have any other tips or recommendations on protecting your valuables while traveling please feel free to share them in the comments below.

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article photo by squacco