Couch surfing or literally "surfing on a couch" is a website allowing registered members to be hosted for free at others registered people's places. A practice I have used both as a host then as guest. The meetings have always been fulfilling and interesting.In Latvia, I used the site several times, either to be hosted or to make contacts. Four times, the Latvians have opened their doors and I discovered the life of a student shareflat in Liepaja, the apartment in a former Soviet residence in Rezekne, wooden house on the beach or Plieņciems and non-touristic areas of Riga.
I am indebted to Couch Surfing for this trip to Latvia. In addition to the contacts I had, thanks to an announcement posted on the group "Latvia" I could meet other young people and carry out the project. Quite simply, we participate in the life of the house, every time I was received as a friend and discussions will continue until late hours. Thus, with Vita, I discovered the Black Balsam, a local alcohol or I bathed in the rivers of Latgale or discovered family sauna in Plieņciems. Good memories that add spice to the ordinary tourist routes!
The community is very open, although the origin is the hospitality, but ties have been strengthened and now it has become important for many travelers. There is not content to be received or receivable, we participate in initiatives, we organize meetings, we exchange the good tips. All running on a system of feedback from other members on your profile.
Cheap travel or real interest in local meetings? I do not look for any of them, I combine them. The richness of an encounter is priceless.
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