Sometimes your travel plansjust don’t work outand you’re stuck in a city with no place to stay.
Here are a few options you’re free to try when you should probably take a rest.
This post originally appeared onNathan Agin’s blog.
Yup, I was homeless.
Well, more than usual.
It all went down in Charleston, South Carolina.
I decided to head there for the weekend, and decided just to figure out lodging once I arrived.
Little did I know that it was bothFashion WeekandAccepted Students Weekendat the College of Charleston.
In short,everythingwas booked.
So what did I do?
And what can you do to ensure a roof over your head during your travels?
Let’s take a look at the options.
Try Couchsurfing
Couchsurfinghas a connection of hosts all over the world.
More than likely, there’s a couch available wherever you’re going.
Sit down for 30 or 60 minutes, and be honest, nice and respectful in your communication.
Even for people open to it, last-minute guests can be disruptive.
Reach out to them for advice, even if they can’t provide you with lodging.
Also put a message out to your social networks like Facebook.
Letting people know where you are and what you’re looking for can yield amazing results!
Usually they charge $100 or less per night.
Be positive and trust that it will work out!
I know it can be stressful; keeping calm and carrying on is so critical to your success.
If you’re desperate or on edge, people will pick up on that energy.
You want to let everyone know that you’re as cool a customer as they come.
So at 11PM, I found myself with nowhere to go, and no prospects.
Now what do you do?
“It’s certainly safe!
The reservation is under one of the friends' names, and you don’t know any of them.
I’m sure they would have just kicked me out immediately if I came clean about my situation.
Here’s a few things you’re gonna wanna think about to stay safe and healthy.
And other healthy practices can help you along too.
Meditation, journaling, sudokuwhatever will keep you sane, positive, and keep you going.
If you feel safe and are comfortable, take a nap.
Listen to your bodyif you’re free to’t go any further, that’s okay.
You don’t need to prove how tough you are by staying up for 36 hours.
What Could You Have Done Differently?
Even at late hourspost to the last-minute board and send out personal couch requests.
Again, you never know who else is up and can help out.
It just didn’t seem possible that he’d never get back to me!
As it happens he just wasn’t watching his phone.
Stay safe, and happy couchsurfing!
Image byArtFamily(Shutterstock).
Additional photos byScott Rubin,mararie,Christopher Bulle(Flickr).
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