Confessions of a couchsurfer

Couchsurfing, staying in strangers' homes when travelling, is not the danger it appears to be, and can turn out to be a great deal of fun even for a woman traveller

The writer (centre) met Shirin, a Couchsurfer (left) in Shiraz, who introduced her to her boss (right), Hussein, a young entrepreneur. The three of them ended up hanging out together, talking about pop culture and favourite ice cream flavours.
The writer (centre) met Shirin, a Couchsurfer (left) in Shiraz, who introduced her to her boss (right), Hussein, a young entrepreneur. The three of them ended up hanging out together, talking about pop culture and favourite ice cream flavours. PHOTOS: MANDY TAY
The writer's host Giacomo (in silhouette) took her to look for an abandoned warehouse in Berlin to photograph in 2013.
The writer's host Giacomo (in silhouette) took her to look for an abandoned warehouse in Berlin to photograph in 2013. PHOTOS: MANDY TAY
Mandy Tay
Updated
Mar 03, 2019, 05:00 AM
Published
Mar 03, 2019, 05:00 AM
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"We are meeting someone from Couchsurfing," I announced to Trevor, a fellow Singaporean who was travelling with me to Poland five years ago.

"No, what if he's a serial killer?" Trevor was not a fan of the idea.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 03, 2019, with the headline Confessions of a couchsurfer. Subscribe

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