HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING I started as a surfer, and then progressed to a surfee. Due to travelling quite a bit for work and other committments, I'm not always able to host, but I definitely try and have people stay here during the festival when accomodation is hard to come by. And it gives me people to see shows with, so a definite win-win! COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE I've tried CS on my round-the-world trip some years ago, and found a number of wonderful and welcoming hosts. After my return, since I finally had a place where that was possible, I opened my doors for some festival guests, and found that just as rewarding as being offered a warm bed/sofa/mattress somewhere. It's nice to experience the city through a visitor's eye, you tend to forget how beautiful parts of it are if you see them every day.

Performing at the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh - the sound of a few thousand people going "Ooooooh" when we started playing with our flaming sticks is something I won't forget. Also my very first time snorkelling, on Hawaii, with a borrowed snorkel kit from a couchsurfee's housemate :)