Sometimes the unexpected is what the soul needs. Even a dose of fear.
Everyone’s first time is a trial in unknowable outcomes, an expectation of blissful happiness or gutter disappointment.
I reserved judgment on mine when I knocked on Alain’s door, encouraged by the “welcome” sign printed on white letter paper tacked to the mahogany finish. All I could fathom was the dense weight of my pack even though I dumped items at Appartement Qualitas.
Or msybe the itch on the roof of my mouth signaled the surreal scene as I exited St. Laurent Metro, walking towards an obvious parkade (I’m couchsurfing by a parkade??), then turning sharply right on Clark leading to a state-of-the-art directory in the building’s entrance.
Between The Village and St. Laurent is no man’s land, an arm’s length from seedy stripper bars, god knows what else. Yet, here was this plushly designed, modern building planted in the middle. Puzzled, I was.
Press the suite number or # for the concierge.
A wave of hotel treatment prodded me to call the concierge.
“Ahhh-hem, yes, I’m couchsurfing with Alain?” Did I just say that? Way to moron.
Like a wizard with a charmed key, entry sprang from incantations, not my backpacker stature.
The concerige imposed a formal figure in a navy blue uniform, tapping a clipboard, a signal for me to sign my rights away. No, girl, just type your name neatly. Under ‘guest’.
A ride in a pristine elevator had me hopeful.
Within 3 minutes, Alain’s burly figure, and kind brown eyes scattered creeping thoughts.
“Hello! Welcome!”
“Bonjour!” Oh how lame my French is.
My knowledge of Alain should overflow a football field, but in couchsurfing reality, intimacy was the scale of a cookie jar. I had a verified, vouched for profile, with staggeringly positive reviews. That’s always a good start in a social experiment.
I trudged in with pack and daypack noticing two Murphy beds side by side. Sure I knew it was a loft, but stupidly pictured it in football field scale. They were close together.
I banished visions of hidden cameras in false wall panels or beefy hands sliding across my thigh. Just waited…
“You can take that bed, and are you hungry? There’s some salad and tofu… ”
“Oh yeah, the security is very good here. Many Quebecois stars live in this building and don’t want to be bothered.”
“I’m part of CouchSurfing Montreal, lots of people from there drop by to use the terrace, the pool. You are welcome to have guests.”
My eyes morphed into large saucers of disbelief. Terrace? Pool? Stars?
It’s these oddball moments in travel when decisions are clear as bacteria free water: in a stranger’s home, a traveler passing through, the air of camaraderie. Disengage or allow the first time unfold?
After a lunch of salad and sauteed tofu, Alain suggested a swim. Not us. Just me.
A sensation that I hit the hosptality lottery stayed with me when Alain mentioned his investments in real estate and maybe I could use a free room for a few days? Would I? Hell yeah.
Soon after exchanging stories, my comfort level was cemented, knowing another glowing review would land on Alain’s CS profile.
As I dove in the pool’s depths against an azure sky the next morning, it was clear: innocence is overrated.
Couch photo: Jason Spacerman
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{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
@Carol – I’m tempted to give you his address next time you visit Montreal, because his pool is so worth diving into (you’re not the only one chock full of cliches). :)
@Kent Foster – Kent, so shameless, but I got off my duff and added you, didn’t I? So, it worked. :)
What kind of crazy advetures are you up to now, Nomadic Chick? Talk about diving into the unknown and landing on your feet (did I just use two cliches in one line? wow, I’m skilled) – I’m sooo in love with that rooftop pool.
Good to see you finally took the CS plunge! I hope you keep it up. I have some CS tips if you are interested:
http://thedromomaniac.com/alternative-travel/couchsurfing-and-servas/
Is it shameless of me to put my link here? It is in response to you being super-slow to add me to your blog list. HA!
-Kent
@kari – Exactly! But I have to say, I never experienced rooftop terrace pools in my real life. :)
ah, couchsurfing. i’ve had some GREAT experiences doing it, and some rather shady ones. just like life.
@Gray – I’m hoping it’s more a pattern rather than “luck”. :)
@Mikeachim – Could the “worse” mean scoring drugs or having foreign ‘relations’? Cause you know Fox’s core is based on those good American values like abstinence in the face of high teen pregnancy rates, and benign marijuana use. :)
@Jeremy B – Ah, but ain’t that my job? Create a little dramatic tension before the outcome? In some circles they call that plagiarism. :)
@Hildergarn – Haha.. I think CS might need to use that as their logo. :)
Wow! You lucked out big time. I’m glad to hear the couchsurfing experience was so positive! And….Nice pool.
@Andi – Hi lovely. I can’t believe you’ll be in Brasil for your honeymoon. Can I tag along? I fit into carry on luggage! Thanks for your comment.
@Christy – Ordinary Traveler – Interesting strategy, hosting first is a great way to control the conditions a bit more and definitely see who’s out there! :)
Hee. :)
Of course, you know you *totally* lucked out. I read on Fox or some such super-reliable news network that 115% of couchsurfers end up dead or worse. And this is confirmation that Other People are all Evil and Out To Get You, which is why you should always stay at home and pay taxes to remain safe.
But you’ll learn, I’m sure.
OK I admit it. This didn’t start out the way I expect but it was a good read. Good job of misleading us in the beginning. :)
Couchsurfing is the best invention since the internet. Period!
What an awesome 1st time experience! I love your writing!!! :)
I have to say, you are brave! I’m glad your first CS experience went well. We have flirted with the idea of couch surfing, but for one reason or another it has yet to work out. I think it’s better to build up a good profile on CS by hosting first. That way the “good” places to stay are more willing to take you in :)
@Eurotrip Tips – Hahaha.. or in this case, slightly less drama. Incidentally, I loved the Plateau area, will be aiming for that next time. :)
@Michael Tyson – Indeed! I was THIS close to stripperdom!
@Alison – Hehe. I got the hint, will work on one exclusively for you!
@Jen Laceda – Me too, and I know couples that allow entire families to surf. Best of luck with it!
@Candice – Whatever you try, your red hair makes you bullet proof. :)
@kay* (from india. with love) – I hear ya. It comes down to comfort level. You might take the leap one day and be pleasantly surprised!
@Luke – Exactly. I tried to keep an open mind, whatever happens (as long as you have backups) – everything is usually A-OK. Good luck trying it, and let me know how it goes!
@Laura – I was jealous of Alain, who has access 24/7. He even admitted that he rarely uses it. I was shocked!
@Eric – The fact is people have different agendas, thus you might meet a few bad apples. I reserve judgment until someone shows me otherwise. That’s how I tackle CS.
@Philip – I’m apt to agree. My crusty exterior is starting to crumble as more people are nice to me. I keep wondering, why are you nice to me?? Hehe.
@Nick Laborde – Are you blushing, CS virgin?
@Garrett – Dude, I swam that pool 3 times! Count em’ – 3 wagging fingers. :)
Great story! It’s true that with Couchsurfind you never really know what to expect. I’m glad everything went smoothly and shall I say, glamourously.
ps it is a sketchy area! next time pick something in Rosemont or Plateau Mont-Royal and you should be fine. but slightly less glamour.
Phew, well that went well. It was a bit nerve-racking at the start there!
I heard about couch surfing from a friend about a year ago and thought ‘that’s great but I would never be brave enough to do it.’ After talking to you and Sherry, who house-sat for me about your positive experiences, I would definitely consider it now. You should write up some ‘how to’ tips for us newbies :)
I hope when I break my CS virginity, it will be just like this….
Love love love it! Totally am going to try this at some point.
couchsurfing is something i definitely have in my mind as a possible “to try one day”…but i’m just too chicken (i blame my mom for making me extra paranoid). i know good people are out there (heck, i’m a good person!) but…i dunno. however, stories like yours continues to keep the possibility alive for me.
seems like you really got lucky though! glad it worked out so well for you!
I have a couchsurfing profile myself but haven’t really officially couchsurfed yet, not in this regard. Needless to say though, I will!
What a great first experience this must have been! I guess it’s mostly about not having extreme expectations and just going with the flow!
Wow, sounds amazing! Slightly jealous…
What an awesome experience. I am always skeptical of trying things like CS, but I really want to try. The more I stay outside of the US, the more I see people are generally very kind.
Another great Couchsurfing experience!
There are ups and downs (I’ve hosted something like 150 people when I lived in Tokyo), but overall CS is full of amazing people and unbelievable hospitality!
…but then again, the more I travel, the more I find that most of the world is full of hospitality – just waiting for the right traveler with a smile to pass by and give them a chance to express it. ^__^
I’m glad it worked out well and you got a sweet bonus.
I’m saving my innocence till next year …
Looks rough! ;)
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