我老爸最近問我，為什麼我世界各國到處都有朋友家可以住，也常常有朋友誤以為我很有錢，因為他們以為我都是住飯店或旅館，即使每晚住Airbnb加起來的費用也相當可觀，這對於一個計劃長期旅行數年的我們，真的不是一個長久之計。
My dad asked me the other day why I have so many friends all over the world to stay with when I travel. He knows that I don’t have much money. Many of my friends also think that I must be rich. They thought for all these years of traveling, I stayed in hotels or Airbnbs every night. I didn’t even have money to stay in hostels every night.
我十年前開始積極參與沙發衝浪 (Couchsurfing) 這個社群，這應該是對我一生有重大改變的決定之一，也是我這一生中做過最棒的決定之一。起初加入動機是因為好奇，也是因為想要用這個方式認識更多世界各國的人，二來因為沒有在學校念書之後，認識新朋友相對的難，而沙發衝浪社群聚集了一群喜歡旅行、冒險的人，我經由這個社群交到了許多志同道合的朋友，到現現在我身邊常常保持連絡、可以談心的朋友，都是沙發客。
I joined the community of Couchsurfing about 10 years ago and participated in the community actively. I think it was one of the best decisions of my life. I joined out of curiosity in the beginning because I wanted to meet international people from all over. It was also a great way to meet people who also love traveling and adventuring. Now, many of the close friends I talk to regularly and can be myself around are people I met from Couchsurfing 10 years ago.
沙發衝浪這個社群主要是提供世界各地的背包客一個認識當地人的平台，而當地人也藉由提供背包客免費住宿的方式去幫助需要的旅人住幾晚，因此也可認識許多不同國家愛旅行的同好（也就是說之後要去當國旅行就會有地方住啦！）。沙發衝浪網站上有帳號的人大家都稱他們為沙發客， 這些沙發客不是自己很喜歡旅行 ，就是對認識世界各國的人、文化、語言很有興趣，有些沙發客像我們一樣，不僅會在自己住的地方接待背包客，自己旅行的時後也會用這個網站找當地沙發客主，閒暇時間也會到自己所在的城市參加每週的沙發客聚會，或是舉辦聚會或文化、戶外活動，認識當地或是國外的新朋友，或是聊聊大家旅遊的經驗和最新的窮遊小撇步。
Couchsurfing website is a platform for backpackers to find local people in the the places that they are traveling to to stay with. It is also a website where locals can offer a room or a couch in their house or apartment for travelers to stay in for a few nights. Usually, these people who have accounts on Couchsurfing.com, called Couchsurfers, enjoy meeting people from all over the world, learning about their languages and cultures. Many of the Couchsurfers not only host people in their homes but also surf with couchsurfing hosts in the places they travel to. Some of them, like us, also participate in the weekly Couchsurfing meetups in the cities they are in. Some also host the weekly meetups or some outings. All of these are great opportunities to meet new friends and learn about the most updated tips for budget traveling.
沙發衝浪對我來說，是一個可以讓我省下住宿費用，又可以讓我的旅行更豐富、更充滿回憶的方式。當我在分享我的旅行故事時，我常常提到的就是我與一路上認識的人的那些美麗邂逅，我發現當我把時間投注在與人的接觸，我旅行中的感動是更多層次、更耐人尋味的。
To me, Couchsurfing is a great way to save some money for accommodations and a wonderful way to meet local people who know all the best spots to explore in the city and the history of the place. When I look back, all these people that I meet during my travels gives my travel memories more flavors, more depth, and more smiles.
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