CURRENT MISSION

Explore, find, give, love, share, understand, forgive, enjoy and save ... (hmm, not sure what though :)))

ABOUT ME

I am born adventurer, empatic, cheer, communicative ... otherwise quite normal, friendly and open to any silly ideas and activities...hm .. what else to say ?

PHILOSOPHY

Do not pass your dreams and plans for future...live now and fully.. but not on expense of others including all creatures in this muddy ball...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I practiced couchsurfing before in past without knowing about it ... the net made it work worldwide...My first (negative) experience was when I searched for host in Mauritius. The guy with 200 positive references promised heaven (beach parties, fun, food) and ... a week before our arrival stopped to communicate ! In this way (through own "skin" and experience ) I have learnt :
* the good communication is the base of success. Use all channels (web, Fb, Whatssup, Viber, Skype, mail, phone ) to inform your host about your position - location, situation, arrival place and time !!!
** If you are late, delayed or if you changed your mind (e.g. found another host...) - play fair game and nicely inform your host, it is advisable to meet them even if you stay in other place...
*** read the whole profile (all sections) of your host and references - inform your travel companion about the hosting conditions (what to expect...)
**** Try to host yourself and properly fill your profile (good photo to recognize you is the very base - leave the artistic ones to your photobook in your Photos or your social networks profiles
***** Write a good requests and feedback /reviews : It is not about free bed but meeting people and sharing what is worth to share, let it be just a smile, a landscape sight or fun ...my recent experience just confirmed it. I have met really great guys through CS and in several occasions even get hosted by my surfers... I tried to organise trainings, gatherings, events.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
After two "cases" (of 150 guests or so...) I would like to "warn" my guests : Read please particularly the section "My Home" and inform your companion (friends, wife, mother-in-law, etc.). The conditions in the forest are not for everyone..if you are scared of darkness, animals, lack of wifi and mobile network, dry toilet in the woods, or me in Dracula costume :)) do not request "my couch" ... consider twice or ask about conditions before I buy food for you, take you there by car and re-arrange my time for you ... I always look forward to have good time with my guests.. but I am neither Salvation Army nor Santa Claus... so treat me accordingly :)) I really seek for and enjoy close communication with all without reserve. Most memorable stay... in Reunion and Madagascar in 2013.. wanna go back soon.. So far I hosted more than 150 people of all races, religions, ways of life and dreams. Many of them were on the way around the globe (with 100 dollar budget to 30k). Currently I am trying to "balance" the hosting and surfing just to find that "surfing" is "different beast"... I am surprised of people who fill their profile, want to travel, share and make friends ...and have 0 or bellow 50% response rate, fortunately out there are always great people who often save your ass :)) e.g when you miss your flight or train in the middle of the night...

CS FRIENDS :
Due to the numerous requests from around the world I would like to state :
* I love, support my CS friends and help them whenever and whatever possible, I appreciate their frienfdship and support too. In order to be able to do that we need to meet as person.
** I add my CS friends when : I host them and we both mutually enjoy their stay with me as memorable experience :)))
*** I was hosted by them and they offered me friendship or I felt as the "long lost son" while staying with them and kindly require them to add me as "CS friend"
**** I met other CS members while travelling and we spent some great time together (in the wilderness, in the party, in the pub or any cultural event)
***** To sum it up : I propose or accept CS friends only after meeting them... in case that you plan to visit Kosice or me we can of course talk and communicate for hours or year round, but to know you better I need to meet you :))) Thanks for kind understanding ... enjoy CS :))

COUCH REQUESTS :
If you directly ask for couch please send some words why did you pick up me, what do you wanna do in the city or countryside of Kosice and a couple of words about yourself. Do not just copy-paste your profile or general search sentences used for all please...:-))
Once confirmed I do really care for my guests, so in case you can not arrive in agreed time or day or if you change your plans or mind, please let me know ( through mail, phone, fb, skype, shouting to the wind :)) Due to the distance of cottages from city centre I prefer if you manage to arrive before dark... e.g. before 18:00 in the summer or before 15:00 in the winter ! In case of emergency, (e.g. you stuck in railway - bus station or airport) however I can meet you anytime... Bikers welcome but you are supposed to be independent and ride to the cottages yourself. I can help hitchhikers as well ( take you to the right place to succeed) however that always cost me fuel and time - do not rely on it or try to compensate :). I really can not take every hitchhiker 3 times a week to right locations :)) ...
- I prefer not to host people with empty profiles, at least they should have a photo displayed in their profile to recognise them :)))
- I started to be curious how people who do not even reply to your request in the same time ask for 5 nights hosting elsewhere ... so unless my guest is a beginners in the CS community I decided to limit or refuse the hosting of people who has less than 50% response rate ... because once you are a host other time a surfer - we need efficient communication even to say "sorry no" :)) It is important especially when you are delayed at arrival... please be aware "no communication = no bed" :)))
- I make priority to people who host themselves - who are simply active in CS community and not just surf to save money while travelling the world or Europe .
- if you are in bad need, have problems or emergency do not hesitate to write or call, I will do my best to help you even if you do not need a couch.... :))

- FOR CS BEGINNERS : if you change your plan or mind or if you find a "more attractive host or comfortable place" let me honestly know in time please ... the "cheating", unfair communication will be "rewarded" with negative feedback :)
- If you send an initial request and than you neither confirm nor cancel your request I will most probably never again take you as serious surfer :)))
- Due to the forest stay I do not expect that you will cook for me, (although welcome that ). I try to make a first meal for you, on the other hand you are encouraged to make the second one or bring your unique products (wine, interesting food for share ) or make another meal

Interests

wilderness and its preservation, nature, animals, music, crafts, ... too much to do anything ...ehm.. properly..
Am an active amateur photographer who organises trainings, photo safaries, happenings and guitar player.

• animals
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• beer
• bbq
• crafts
• socializing
• survival
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• adventure races
• rock climbing
• swimming
• parks

Music, Movies, and Books

movies ? good ones ... those that enrich your soul, but occasionally also your eyes. Music : folk, Irish, country, rock, ethnic, all performed well... Books : Dick, Wyndham, Bradbury, Maupassant, ...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Huh... too many (meeting a jaguar, swimming with piranhas and pink dolphins, dancing in Amantani island, petting a cayman, climbing Sajama, ... sleeping inside a tree, just sitting and watching the nature e.g. in Yosemity or Zion or Morondava with mouth forgotten open ...

Teach, Learn, Share

Beginner's Guide to Couchsurfing
(hints, tips, guidelines)

by Gejza Legen

One of the main reasons to be part of Couchsurfing (futher CS) is the pleasure to meet nice guys from the whole world. You are not paying for possibility to be hosted or you can not expect that because you only host your fee would be waived. And this is also a reason why I do not accept CS friends unless we meet in person ( on the road, surfing or hosting). How to start, what to do, what not to do, how to interact with surfers, hosts, travellers ... ? Well, here are some hints and tips based on my perosnal experiences or stories shared with me by other members.

I suppose that you already completely filled your CS profile (including recognisable photo), description of your home, hobbies, interests, expectations and also limits. The second step to do is COMMUNICATION. Without really good communication there are only limited possibilities to meet, host others or surf interesting members in excitting and even exotic or remote places. Most people start CS because they plan to travel and often they consider it as alternative to Booking. com, AirBB, hostels or costly hotels.
How to find a host ? First of all look to the destination page in CS homepage and arrange the "filters". Your potencial host have to be "alive" - I mean on-line at least last month if not last week or even yesterday or an hour ago. Than look for experience (references, profiles, response time, limits, languages, etc.). If you find a couple (maybe 20 ) interesting people send them personal CS request. It should describe yourself, your plans, hobbies, reasons to ask for couch, but also interesting, well written stories about your incoming trip or journey. This CS request have to be interesting, personal, different for every host, convincing, true and honest. Allow 2-3 or days or even a week to hosts responds. I usually write a month or at least 3 weeks before my trip. When somebody replies and confirms your stay, communicate immiatelly (confirm or cancel your request). In rare cases you may have several acceptances (e.g. if you are suicide blond ..kidding). Than you can confirm the best (closest, most comfortable, interesting) host and cancel the other ones. However it is advisable to try to meet the other nice guys who answered your initial request and spend with them at least some time (coffee, beer, event, etc.).
If you changed your mind or need to change your trip ALWAYS inform your host (I can not come...) and cancel your request.
Closer to the meeting time communicate even more frequently (use WhatsApp, Viber or mobile phone) to reach your host even if not on-line. Always ask for address and phone number of your host ! As minimum bring some presents ( something from your country, bottle of wine, bar of chocolate, fridge magnets, your "artistic" products like man-made jewelry or national food (cheese, meat, ?). Your host often may invites you to the first dinner or invite your to the pub, bar. Always accept such a invitations. Never ever lock yourself in your room and just use the free wifi instead spanding time with your host. Many hosts are busy and they expect that you are able and willing to make your own program. In this case be happy for the opportunity to explore the city by your own.
It is polite to "reward" your host with your cooking (simple meal or national speciality). If you are not a Michellin grade cook, invite your host to the restaurant. If you play an instrument, have a camera or drone, share your hobby with your host.
If you feel uncomfortable with your host (for any reason) simply and politely tell them that you prefer to go to the hostel or other location and leave.

What not to do while surfing :
• Do not cheat ... if you found more interesting host, tell it straight the former one and try to meet him/her and at least invite them for a beer, coffee.
• Keep and maintain the communication flow : where are you, are you delayed, ill,
• Be respectfull and obey the "house rules" (do not make a swimming pool from their bathroom, use your own towel, sleeping bag to minimize the extra costs).
• Never ever leave your valuables (credit cards, passport, ID, money) with your hosts unless you spend all of the time together !
• Do not sexually harras your host or guest (in some countries the welcome, goodnight or farewell kisses (even 3 x) are however considered normal and culturally acceptable (e.g. Hungary, Italy, Poland, Ukraine...). But not 2 hours later in the middle of the night .. real experience :))

HOSTING

It is advisable (even from the beginning) to host the surfers. You indicate your status on your profile (accept guests or maybe accept guests). You should be able to provide at least a bed or a sleeping space (on the floor) with some air matrace or karimat. I spent a night in one bed with my host because he did not indicated it and had no other space. We spent a night "fighting" for a single blanket and space "on board".. never again :))
As a host you can offer a welcome meal for your guest, inform them about house rules, arrangement, access, safety, etc. You may organize some events, program or hikes with your guests (I take them for canoeing, photo-modelling, hikes, events, parties, festivals).
I often can entertain them with music, bonfire, artistic activities or cooking shared meals.
We usually share a car ride (they contribute to fuel) but sometimes as part of the hospitality I pick them up or put them abck to the airport. The hitch-hikers maybe be tricky : they never arrive in time and often can not communciate while hh...
• Let your guest politely know your limits or expectations ( to provide free meals, transport, time)
• Respect your guests ... their decision to arrange their own program or time with you
• If you had excellent time with your guests add them among your CS friends

What not to do while hosting :

• Do not sexually harras your guest. Some guys try to use the CS as a dating site. Simply (with humor) refuse their proposal (on of my guests a cute Chinese girl several times refused the "proposal" or her Portuguese host...she said that it was somehow a funny situation and not dangerous ...). Similarly I found on the CS site and Saudi man who had 186 friends (all pretty women between 18-40 years old). He never hosted or surfed them...he just maintained a "virtual harem" :)))
• Do not push your guest to your exciting programs ... they may be tired and they need to rest. Allow and arrange for them free time options. (Two girls from Madrid spent 4 night in the forest with me... they had enough of city life and parties ...collecting and cooking mushrooms and enjoyed the wilderness...

What I Can Share with Hosts

What I can teach and share with you : Native American beading, guitar playing, woodcraft and survival, tramping. mushrooming, conflict resolution, communication.

- if have time tour around the city
- beer / wine /local food tasting
- lend a bike or go for ride in the forest
- barbecue in the forest ( usually based on shared meals)
- music around campfire
- Internet access, copying, scanning (at home)
- help in case of emergency, bad need
- teach native American beading, mushrooming, woodcraft, tramping,
- canoeing in the lake, hiking around Kosice in parks

To avoid misunderstanding:
- I do not have any "rules" however the communication or lack of communications taught me : to answer every request (yes or no), announce changes, resolve problems, treat fairly everybody, be generous, helpful and friendly ... and I expect my guests to do the same ... :))
- If I have to go for you by car upon request (anywhere out of city) I kindly ask you to pay the fuel :)
- If going out of city we share the costs (fuel, meal, entrance fees, drinks, etc.)
When I take you to the the cottages from city and back by car usually I pay the fuel you bring the food.
- If I am busy you need to manage to get to cottages by walk, bike, public transport or own car

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Réunion, San Marino, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Slovakia

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