Dear Susan,

I’m planning my autumn holiday in London. We have planned to go there together and I thought You would like to join with me. Of course it’s not easy to save enough money for these tour, that’s why I’m planning to do couchsurfing. I know You will take my suggest with a grain of salt, but please let me try to convince You how safe couchsurfing is. I Think, I know all the answers to dispel your doubts.

First of all, couchsurfing has a verification system. Members are checked to make sure their personal dates. And members can be vouched for other members, whose are already vouched. So this is a very complex safety system. You can choose a stranger, who is vouched for by a lot of members.

Secondly it is a good opportunity to save a lot of money. You don’t have to spend your hole salary for harbor. You can stay with someone for free. And of course it’s not the same situation as you go to visit your uncle and he is waiting the day you leave. These members are waiting to put somebody up their place. So you can join the trip with them which is really beneficial. They live there, they can show you places which are not for tourists. So you can better get in touch with locals.

Of course you have to be a member to use the system. But you don’t have to let to stay at your place anyone. You can choose who you want to put up, if you would like to put up anyone.
I think this is a good system. If You think it doesn’t suit You, we can stay at youth hostels.
But please take a look at the website before you decide yourself.

I’m waiting for your answer,

Be well

Zita

Evi:

Dear Friend,
How are you these days? I heard that you’re not satisfied with your job. Is it boring? You know how it works: go in late and get out early 
I was sitting in the office and surfing on the Internet a little bit. Can you imagine what I found? Once a year I go for a holiday and spend all my hard-earned greenbacks. Yeah, I still have a mortgage on my house… But now I am looking for something cheaper however exciting.
Have you ever heard about “couchsurfing”? Neither I am till last month. It turned out that it is the most interesting way to travel nowadays. The basic idea is that people around the world would like to get to know the real local culture of a specific city or country. So you can look for a partner in the city you’re interested in and s/he will host you: crash at her/his place and sleep on her/his couch. Your host will show you around the city. During these tours you’re not just see the ordinary places but her/his favorite spots too.
I had several questions when I saw this opportunity. At first glimpse, it seems to be too dangerous to stay with a total stranger. The system ensures you to verify the host. There is a referral method which collects the community knowledge and experience so it lowers our risks. My personal opinion is that we perceive the environment more dangerous because of the media. An accident, a murder is a great story for them and no one cares about the open-minded, good-hearted, ordinary people as for example our family and friends. I think trust is important and you will see how luck embraces us.
To summarize, I really feel that we should try it together. Our world can turn around for a week. We can meet with local people and experience their culture not just the created places for tourists. Memories we will cherish forever. Take a look at the website: www.couchsurfing.com . We can hang out on Friday night and talk about it, okay?
Your friend,
Evi
laszlope@gmail.com