Couch Surfing Generation

I think dumping your credit card in search of an adventure is not only inoffensive to adventure, but crucial.  In New York, it seems there is hardly any fun to be had without twenty dollars, but there's a whole world out there that doesn't require too much cash.  How about getting out and seeing some trees, or going for a seven-month camping adventure?  Where are you going to swipe your credit card?  In fact, I'd think that if you have money in your account while you're on your seven month adventure in the woods you'll actually be making money because of the annual interest.  I don't think it's offensive to homeless people to try and have fun without money because what do they know about it?  Nothing.  Fun isn't really on their agenda, and I'm sure if it was, they'd have jobs and iPods like the rest of us.

I had no idea that those websites, or those networks of people looking to help wandering travelers, existed. Perhaps it's a little bit like our generation's hobo signs. Except instead of traveling to a place and finding out it's no good, you can just check it instantly from your internet-enabled phone, and go someplace more accommodating instead! Though I suppose I can see the usefulness in such a service, I think it can very easily negated by certain other conveniences that us young peoples generally rely on anymore (for example, internet phones). One part of me sees this as a good way to network and see the country, but the other part feels that travelers should get involved with something that allows them to actually meet people, so maybe they could sleep on the couch of someone they know.

I think that it's arguable both ways. While things like the homeless trend in fashion are sort of blatantly ridiculous and unaware, the couchsurfing thing is a lot different. For one, it's (I believe) mostly in the United States, where there isn't a network of youth hostels as extensive as there is in Europe. Also, there's a sort of burgeoning culture in the States, very distinct from but made up of the upper-middle class, for which this sort of traveling is appealing; and they are often the hosts of these kinds of travelers. The younger generation is trying to get out and see the country a little bit, perhaps before they truly have the means to do so. The couchsurfing trend is a creative way to work around the problem of limited funds, and also to save your money for things that you might value more: going out and doing things, seeing sites, etc., rather than renting a hotel room.