Tilman Resch (left) chats with friends at the apartment of his host Su Xiaofang (second from left) in Shanghai. The 24-year-old student from Germany spent just 1,600 yuan ($258) on his recent 10-day trip to Beijing and Shanghai. (Photo/China Daily)
沙发客
shā fā kè
couchsurfers
Couchsurfers refer to those who "surf" on couches by staying as a guest at a host's home during a hospitality exchange event called "couchsurfing." Couchsurfing is a neologism referring to the practice of moving from one friend's house to another, sleeping in whatever spare space is available, floor or couch, generally staying a few days before moving on to the next house.
"沙发客"(couchsurfers) 顾名思义就是"睡别人沙发的人".沙发客的理念是：你到异国旅行时免费睡别人家的沙发,并在主人的引领下对当地的美景有更全面的了解.
The new travel trend becomes popular with the development of a nonprofit website couchsurfing.com, the largest hospitality organization for travelers to find free accommodation and meet new people of all races and creeds.
这一新的旅游风潮源于一个叫Couchsurfing的全球沙发客自助游网站. 它由美国一个叫Casey Fenton的年轻人在2004年创立.其创意源于一次国外旅行.出发前,他突发奇想,给千名大学生发电子邮件寻求住宿,结果获得不少回应,这使他萌发了把这种体验推广开来的想法.自从这个网站成立后,其以新奇、省钱的特色迅速在潮人中传播开来.
Related news: Couchsurfers get more than they bargain for
