See the World Couch by Couch

沙發自助旅行CouchSurfing offers more than just a free place to sleep 「沙發衝浪」提供旅行者的不僅是一個免費睡覺的地方by Lisa Holl Chang

Last year, Clement Blain decided to leave France. he wanted to travel around Europe, but he said, "I didn't have so much money. When I discovered CouchSurfing... that was wonderful. I realized that all over the world people are ready to meet, to host, to share. And the money issue wasn't a limit anymore." After five months and 12 countries, Blain continues to experience Europe one couch at a time.
CouchSurfing is an online hospitality network with almost 2 million members.

All you need is an empty couch in your home to host a "CouchSurfer." On the road, you can send a request to members after looking at their profiles. If someone accepts your request, you can stay with him or her for free.

Instead of money, guests and hosts exchange hospitality, gifts, stories and cultures. Lia Sastra, a CourchSurfer in Indonesia, feels that through CouchSurfing: "You can meet and share your own stories and cultures through a link named trust."

How to CouchSurf
Trust builds when CouchSurfers interact with each other online and meet in person. To get started, build a profile and post in the online forums. Meet the CouchSurfers in your area by attending a local meeting. Offer to show travelers around your city. That's what CouchSurfers did for Studio Classroom teacher Ryan Batdorf on a trip to Singapore. Batdorf says, "They taught me many interesting things about Singapore. They showed me things I would never have found on my own, like amazing Indian food in Chinatown."

When you're ready to host, you can indicate that on your profile. People will begin to send you requests. Read their profiles and the references other CouchSurfers have posted about them. With this information, you can decide if you want to host a person or not.

Hosts and CouchSurfers often discover that the experience changes them. Blain says, "I think CouchSurfing is a good way to have an open mind. Maybe the best one I know."

More Information:
CouchSurfing opens the door to friendships with people from around the world. Lia Sastra from Indonesia writes: I hosted two Malaysian girls two years ago. We had many remarkable moments together. Before they left, they said: "You know what? This is the best vacation we've ever had Indonesia is not so bad like the media says: Indonesia is a great country because of the warm hearts of its people."

Grammar on the go:
After five months and 12 countries, Blain continues to experience Europe one couch at a time.
one couch at a time.
at a time= one after another
He ate his potato chips one chip at a time.
one couch at a time=something at a time.
This project is helping the neighborhood one dog at a time.
This lending program is making a difference in the world one businesswoman at a time.

Vocabulary Tips:
hospitality-款待，好客
*We were so touched by the hospitality of the townspeople.
*The VIPs will be served in the designated hospitality area.
network-網絡，人際網絡
*The television network will expand next year to include Asia.
*Eric's network of business partners is crucial to his business.
*The supermarket chain operates on an efficient distribution network.
profile-人的簡述，概述。簡介。
*The author's profile was printed on the back cover of the book.
*Before meeting her client, Vivian studied his profile.
interact-互動 inter-兩者之間
*The new student refused to interact with his classmates at first, but soon started to play with them.
*During the experiment, you can observe how the two chemicals interact.
reference-推薦函，推薦文 （信）refer -談到，提及
*My previous boss wrote a very nice reference letter for me.
reference-參考資料
*There's a long list of references at the end of the article.
open-mind-開闊的心胸， 或是‘接受新事物的能力’
*Keep an open mind, especially when you're talking to teenagers.
*We should have open minds and listen to all the people involved.

Chat Room
couch-長的sofa
rocking chair-搖椅
recliner=armchair 單人斜躺的椅子
lever-拉杆， 在椅旁。拉杆一拉，footrest 就出來了。
footrest-放腳的凳子。
upholstery-椅墊，椅套
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profile- 檔案裏的個人資料，fit the profile 合乎（相似）這檔案裏的個人資料。
keep a low profile-保持低調
low profile-低姿態
high profile-高姿態，曝光率很高。