Rural hospitality: Difference between revisions

[[Wiki.trustroots.org]] is an independent wiki with information for people who are actively exchanging hospitality.
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Welcome to Rural CouchSurfing!
{{rural}}
'''Rural hospitality''' stands for rural hospitality exchange. Here is your one stop portal to interacting with the world through internet hospitality websites - whether it's [[Couchsurfing]], [[BeWelcome]] or [[Warm Showers]] - all are welcome to participate.  [[:trustroots:|Trustroots]] is a good new place to find rural hospitality, as its built around searching on a map.


'''''The following is an outline of a working model for Rural Couchsurfing. It has been created with the [http://www.utoronto.ca/divenv/mts/glossary.html#d developed]world in mind. A draft outline of a model for the [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/developing developing] can be found at the following link [[Rural Couchsurfing in the developing world]].<br>
How it works: Please read through our guides and once you are familiar with how it works, and how it is different to a normal urban hospitality experience please check out the country pages and maps where you are either going to visit or reside.  
Please do not edit this page without discussing it first in the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=9949 Rural Couchsurfing Group] or contacting [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/xnothingxheldxbackx Taylor]. This is largely because this page will be translated into other languages, which will mean making the same changes in mutltiple languages.'''''


== Languages ==
''Note: This has been created with the [http://www.utoronto.ca/divenv/mts/glossary.html#d developed] world in mind. A draft outline of a model for the [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/developing developing] can be found at [[rural hospitality in the developing world]].<br />''


This wiki page should be translated into more languages. How many more? The more the merrier. Contact [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/xnothingxheldxbackx Taylor] if you can help with translations.
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* [[Rural Couchsurfing in French]]
* [[Rural Couchsurfing in German]]
* [[Rural Couchsurfing in Italian]]
* [[Rural Couchsurfing in Portuguese]]
* [[Rural Couchsurfing in Spanish]]


== Defining Rural==


Rural areas (also referred to as "the country", countryside) are settled places outside towns and cities. Such areas are distinct from more intensively settled urban and suburban areas, and also from unsettled lands such as outback, American Old West, or wilderness. Inhabitants live in villages, hamlets, on farms and in other isolated houses.
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''See the discussion about it [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=853121 here]:''
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==== Rural en France ====
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== [[File:Nuvola_apps_bookcase.png|30px]] Basics ==
New to Rural Hospitality?
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Vision Statement|Vision Statement]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Purpose|Purpose]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Definition|Definition]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#What is the difference between a rural and urban Hospex experience.3F|Rural vs Urban]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Expectation of Host|Expectation of Host]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Expectation of Surfer|Expectation of Surfer]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex#Icon|Icon]]'''
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Project's started and runs! Have a look to [[The French Rural Hosts page]], [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=15039 the French CS Rural group] and [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=113144055528929546446.0004605cd5254b0b0620c&ll=46.600642,2.11062&spn=14.621186,39.550781&z=5 the French Rural Hosts map].
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==== Rural in Australia ====
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Discussion about what rural means seen [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Rural_CouchSurfing here].
== [[File:Nuvola_apps_bookcase.png|30px]] [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=205252692637269758370.00045ef1142b9b3703c81&ll=28.921631,13.710938&spn=147.464744,68.554687&z=2 Maps] ==


== Background ==
<b>For now we still have our old Google map network seen [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=205252692637269758370.00045ef1142b9b3703c81&ll=28.921631,13.710938&spn=147.464744,68.554687&z=2 here].


People in rural areas live a very different lifestyle to their urban neighbours. For a variety of reasons they tend to be less accessible to the passing traveler. Most traveling experiences outside of cities require the traveler to overnight in impersonal accommodations due to the lack of access to locals.  
Check back later this year and hopefully there will be a new map system up and running :) </b>
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116145128319189688118.00047d61977b4f44c7162&ll=57.421294,-90.966797&spn=29.408584,107.138672&t=h&z=4 Canada]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=-28.536275,134.912109&spn=37.943652,79.013672&z=4&msid=116082787856478952868.0004810df9736db58c8fc Australia]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107088168112611112343.0004770e47ed01b366cfb&ll=62.471724,8.876953&spn=21.631913,79.013672&z=4 Scandinavia]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=40.094882,-1.82373&spn=12.766728,19.775391&z=6&msid=113144055528929546446.00046c98a264706e3d140 Iberian Peninsula]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&ll=46.920255,3.427734&spn=13.657503,28.300781&z=5&msid=113144055528929546446.0004605cd5254b0b0620c France]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=46.717269,8.239746&spn=3.751128,9.876709&z=7&msid=116082787856478952868.0004810e4ee76eec76d64 Switzerland]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107088168112611112343.000477e16a046f20a4b07&ll=51.862924,7.822266&spn=13.533852,39.506836&z=5 Germany]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=47.754098,13.590088&spn=3.678491,9.876709&z=7&msid=116082787856478952868.0004810e4affcda81c335 Austria]'''
* '''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&msid=102441544612975733598.0004781fe675a96025b02&ll=54.316523,-4.790039&spn=12.811724,39.506836&t=p&z=5 UK and Ireland]'''
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It needs to be understood that a rural couchsurfing experience is unlike an urban one in that the realities of rural life are different to that of urban ones. People in rural areas are more likely to have a stronger connection with the natural world. They generally have more land and often utilize it as a means of sustaining themselves, either by using it to directly sustain themselves through food production, or to generate money in some other way.
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With there being a world-wide shift in demographics away from majority rural to majority urban, it is important to acknowledge that previously all of humanity lived in a rural setting.
== [[File:Nuvola_apps_bookcase.png|30px]] Languages ==
* '''[[Le Rural Hospex en Français]]'''
* '''[[Ländliche Hospex in der Deutschen]]'''
* '''[[Hospex Rurale in Italiano]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospex em Português]]'''
* '''[[Hospex Rurales en Español]]'''


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“<i>Having traveled around the world and been to more cities than I can count, they all seem to blur together to me. What stands out most to me are the landscapes in the countryside’s I have traveled to.”  </i>Quote by [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/xnothingxheldxbackx Taylor Booth]  
== [[File:Nuvola_apps_bookcase.png|30px]] [[Rural Hospex Guides|Rural Guides]] ==
* '''[[Rural Hospitality Serbia]]'''
* '''[[Rural Hospitality Canada]]'''


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With the urbanization of the world cultures in cities are becoming blurred so that at first appearance it can be difficult to tell whether you are in New York or London, Hong Kong or Bangkok. Unique features of cultures are being lost in the rush to the cities. Often, they are only being preserved in the rural areas, where people still lead a traditional lifestyle.
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Unfortunately many people are completely unaware of this. When they travel they go from city to city to city, flying the whole way in between, missing the most unique features of a culture that they are supposedly going to see.
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Rural couchsurfing seeks to fill the gap in between the cities, and to bring people together from different worlds, facilitating cultural exchange.
== Vision Statement ==


'''To build an international Rural Hospitality Network :) '''
<br />
<br />


==Purpose/Mission==
== Purpose ==


The purpose behind Rural hospitality is twofold,
# To allow travelers to '''experience rural areas''' that are often overlooked, letting them experience ways of life completely different to those found in cities.
# To allow rural communities to '''experience culture exchange''' they otherwise wouldn’t.


The purpose behind Rural Couchsurfing is twofold.
== Definition ==
<br>
1.) To allow travelers to experience rural areas that are often overlooked, letting them experience ways of life completely different to those found in cities.
<br>
2.) To allow rural communities to experience culture exchange they otherwise wouldn’t


Rural areas (also referred to as "the country", countryside) are settled places '''outside towns and cities'''. Such areas are distinct from more intensively settled urban and suburban areas, and also from unsettled lands such as outback, American Old West, or wilderness. '''Inhabitants live in villages, hamlets, on farms and in other isolated houses.'''


== What is the difference between a rural and urban couchsurfing experience? ==
=== Population Limitation ===


Since this definition is not clear enough for everyone, generally the maximum population for villages is considered top be 2,500 persons.[http://www.ntia.doc.gov/legacy/ntiahome/fttn99/glossary.html 1][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_area 2]


'''The principal difference is the location.'''
=== Alternative definition ===


Note that there can be some other differences:
A village can also be defined as:


* No or few internet access
''A village is human scale: it is large enough so that all the needs of its inhabitants can be met, with complete specialisation of tasks, but not so large that there are anonymous people; in a village everybody is known, and strangers are instantly recognised and assessed. Settlements smaller than villages are called "hamlets". In a hamlet there are not enough people for a diversity of specialisation of tasks, so culture is limited to necessities. ''


* Difficulty to reach the place
<br />


* Difference of activities to do around
<i>For further clarity please read [[What Rural Means]] to make sure that you understand the difference between rural and "out of big cities".


* Difference in lifestyle of host(s)
''See the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=853121 discussion].''</i>


* In some cases, help needed or expected (1)
== Languages ==


(1)In conventional couchsurfing (urban), the guest is not necessarily expected to do any work. There may or may not be a provision of cooking a meal, helping with chores or bringing a present etc. But with rural couchsurfing it MIGHT be expected (mostly in farms or alternative communities) that guests do contribute to the either the hosts activities (farming) or help around on the property (odds and ends, weeding, gardening etc) due to the fact that the rural experience will normally come with food provided simply because the properties are well removed the local towns (and hence grocery stores) and the host might give you a ride to bring you there and back.  
This wiki page should be translated into more languages. How many more? The more the merrier. If you can help with translations please contact the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=18641 Rural CS Team].


* [[Le Rural Hospex en Français]]


This may be outside the set guidelines of CS missions and values point 3: “We have made a commitment that CouchSurfing will always be free to join and free to use.” It is our interpretation of this statement that giving your time to your host in exchange for room and board does not violate this because there is no exchange of money. The most important exchange would be the human and cultural, rather than the material exchange of food for time.
* [[Ländliche Hospex in der Deutschen]]


In any case, the host has to explain CLEARLY what will be expected from the guest and what will be given in order to avoid any bad surprise and frustration.
* [[Hospex Rurale in Italiano]]


==What is the difference between [[wikipedia:WWOOF|WWOOF]]/[http://www.helpx.net/ Helpx] and Rural Couchsurfing?==
* [[Rural Hospex em Português]]


* [[Hospex Rurales en Español]]


Many people ask why bother developing and implementing Rural CS when there are already networks in place that cover the same people and area. Why re-invent the wheel? Well the basic difference is that with couchsurfing hosts want to meet the surfer, where as WWOOF hosts want WOOFERs to work for them first, and meet them second (maybe).
For this wiki in other languages please click [http://couchwiki.org/en/Rural_Couchsurfing_-_Additional_Languages here] :)


''Flags were removed from the wiki as hospitality exchange isn't about nationalism [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=6011499 1]''


Obviously people, who want both, can be part of more than one organization. In fact we encourage people who sometimes just want some company and to share their way of life but sometimes require serious help to be part of both and accept people from different organizations depending on their schedule.
== What is the difference between a rural and urban Hospitality experience? ==


'''The principal difference is the location.'''


In WWOOF: we host people because we need help for our garden or farm and in the same time we can provide them some food and accommodation and share our lives and cultures...
Note that there can be some other differences:
<br>
 
In Rural Couchsurfing: we host people because we want to help them travel in new places, we want to share our lives, cultures, and at the same time we generally don't have much time and money. Being in a remote place it might be difficult for a traveler to come equipped with all their own food so we '''might''' ask them for some extra help during their stay.
 
 
See discussion of this in the following thread: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=853114 1]


* No or few internet access
* Difficulty to reach the place
* Difference of activities to do around
* Difference in lifestyle of host(s)
* In some cases, more help needed or expected than in urban environments(Click the following to read more [[WWOOF vs Rural Hospex]])


== Expectation of Host ==
== Expectation of Host ==


A rural host can expect from his guest exactly the same things as in an urban area:
A rural host can expect from his guest exactly the same things as in an urban area:


 
* Respect of his place  
* Respect of his place
* Understanding and respect of his way of life  
 
* Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking…)  
* Understanding and respect of his way of life
* A great experience in general  
 
* Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking…)
 
* A great experience in general
 


A rural host can also sometimes expect:
A rural host can also sometimes expect:


* A little more help in the garden or the house
* A little more help in the garden or the house  
 
* A little sharing of the “work” tasks (for example when food or transport are provided)(1)
 
(1)All this has to be clearly settled on the profile of the host and clearly explained before the guests arrive. The most important thing is COMMUNICATION! :-)
 
== Expectation of Surfer ==
 
 
A rural couchsurfer at the very least is expecting to discover what is to live in a rural environment in the country they are traveling through.


A couchsurfer in a rural area can expect:
== Expectation of Guest ==


* A place to stay (bed, couch, place on the floor, place for a tent…)
A rural guest at the very least is expecting to discover what it is to live in a rural environment in the country they are traveling through.


* Understanding and respect of his way of life
A guest in a rural area can expect:


* A place to stay (bed, couch, place on the floor, place for a tent…)
* Understanding and respect of his way of life
* Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking etc.)
* Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking etc.)
 
* A quiet place to rest and forget your busy city life
* A great experience in general
* A great experience in general  
 


Additional things that can be expected:
Additional things that can be expected:


* Discovering a bit of the daily life if on a farm or an alternative community for example.
* Discovering a bit of the daily life if on a farm or an alternative community for example.  
 
* Participating a little to the daily tasks (and then maybe learn and experience new things) (1)  
* Participating a little to the daily tasks (and then maybe learn and experience new things) (1)


(1)The guest has to make sure that he/she understands what is going to happen during the stay and that he/she is going to be able to give the little help that might be expected.
(1)The guest has to make sure that he/she understands what is going to happen during the stay and that he/she is going to be able to give the little help that might be expected.


== Marketing ==
== Country Guides ==
Rural areas change as the landscape changes. Please check your country page to find out information about anything rural related.


Couchsurfing members who are interested promoting couchsurfing in a rural setting are encouraged to start discussions in their local groups about Rural Couchsurfing. They are also encouraged to actively seek out rural hosts in their area and ask them to join their relevant Rural CS country group.
The meaning of rural changes from place to place, and while we have put a general population limitation in place we encourage people to come up with their own definition that suites their area, along with a matching icon. Moderators of the relevant group should maintain a basic wiki page for their respective area, if for nothing else than to explain the process of how to be added to the map.
See a list of the regions by clicking - [[Rural Hospex Guides]].


== Promotion ==


After things become established, it could be possible for Rural Couchsurfing to be advocated more directly in the media. Possibly through CS Newsletters like in Australia [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Australian_CS_Newsletter 1]or through some official media channel of Couchsurfing.com
Rural Hospitality has mostly spread through word of mouth and by people reading the groups within the website www.couchsurfing.org. It is hoped that it will transcend couchsurfing and be open for members of all hospitality exchange websites.  


=== Groups ===


If possible, at some stage down the road, permanent notices could be placed on the website promoting/describing Rural Couchsurfing.
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9949 main Rural Couchsurfing group]


The French Rural CS group got up and running through the promotion of groups. Read [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=18641&post=2809095 here] to follow the steps they took. This is the main way to promote Rural Couchsurfing - by making a Rural Group and then linking it to the main country group, as done in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=176 France] and [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=351 Australia].


== Technical requirements ==
* [http://www.bewelcome.org/groups/673 Rural Hospitality group on BeWelcome]


This group has just started (August 2012) but it is hoped that will become active and a place for people to interact about their rural experiences.


A first draft of a network of Rural CouchSurfing Maps has now been created. [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115068236617584758817.00045ef1142b9b3703c81&ll=9.102097,29.53125&spn=165.775749,360&t=p&z=1 The global map] now has links to six separate continent maps. From there, the maps are again divided into individual country maps. Currently only Canada, USA, France and Australia currently have maps created to be populated. Adding additional countries is a relatively simple process.
=== Newsletters/News feed ===


Rural Hospitality has been spread through a variety of Couchsurfing newsletters that are managed by volunteers. Please see examples from [http://couchwiki.org/en/Australian_CS_Newsletter_February_2008#News_from_around_the_Australian_States Australia][http://couchwiki.org/en/Australian_CS_Newsletter_March_2008#Australian_Rural_CouchSurfing_news 1][http://couchwiki.org/en/Australian_CS_Newsletter_April_2008#Australian_Rural_CouchSurfing_news 2][http://couchwiki.org/en/Australian_CS_Newsletter_February_2009#News_from_around_the_Australian_States 3] and [http://couchwiki.org/en/French_CS_Newsletter_%28Novembre_2010%29#Histoire_d.27h.C3.B4te:_le_Couchsurfing_Rural_dans_le_Giennois_.21 France]. Rural Couchsurfing has also been mentioned in the official [http://www.couchsurfing.org/news/alternative-travel/get-away-from-it-all/ News Feed][http://www.couchsurfing.org/news/cs-organization/quick-guide-to-cs-groups-3/ 1], it would be great if it could be periodically mentioned here so that new members could find out about it too.


The France map is now active as seen [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=p&msa=0&msid=113144055528929546446.0004605cd5254b0b0620c&ll=46.600642,2.11062&spn=14.621186,39.550781&z=5%22 here]. Discussions under way about how to add people on a global level.
=== Permanent website placements ===


Rural Hospitality has been placed in the Couchsurfing.org [http://www.couchsurfing.org/rural_surfing.html tips secion!]


The creation of rural groups for different countries seems to be a good way to bring people together - from there country maps can be added to the global maps as different country groups are created and become active.


=== Other Media (Pictures) ===


==Icon==
Pictures are currently stored on the [https://picasaweb.google.com/114554606265727234977 Rural Couchsurfing Picaso account].


== Icon ==


Rural hosts may want to add an icon to their profile as well as a link to this wiki page explaining that they are rural hosts.  
Rural hosts may want to add an icon to their profile as well as a link to this wiki page explaining that they are rural hosts.  
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Possible ideas for an icon are:
Possible ideas for an icon are:


[[Image:rural.gif]]
[[File:rural.gif]]
[[Image:try1.jpg]]
[[File:try1.jpg]]
[[Image:RCSIcon2.gif]]
[[File:RCSIcon2.gif]]
[[File: Rural_bw.png]]


To add an icon for Rural CouchSurfing to your couch description, just copy paste the code below:
To see some icons for Rural [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=20891 India] click the following link.


<nowiki><a href="http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Rural_CouchSurfing"><img src="http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/public/images/8/82/RCSIcon2.gif"></a></nowiki>
[[Rural CS India Icons]]


Note: the last two images appear the same but the second has a white background and the third has a transparent background. The code to put an icon in your couch description is for the third image. You can change the image by substituting the url from one of the other images for it.


To add an icon for Rural CouchSurfing to your couch description, just copy paste the code below:


More ideas are <b>MOST</b> welcome! There is no reason to only have one icon, the greater the variety the better. More discussion about icons [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=1428360 here].
<nowiki><a href="http://couchwiki.org/en/Rural_CouchSurfing"><img src="http://couchwiki.org/public/images/8/82/RCSIcon2.gif"></a></nowiki>


 
Note: the last two images appear the same but the second has a white background and the third has a transparent background. The code to put an icon in your couch description is for the third image. You can change the image by substituting the url from one of the other images for it.
==Administration==




[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/xnothingxheldxbackx Taylor] generally manages the wiki but see what is happening in the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=18641 group] and maybe someone there can help you.
More ideas are '''MOST''' welcome! There is no reason to only have one icon, the greater the variety the better. More discussion about icons [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=9949&post=1428360 here].
 
As different country groups are created and become active, access to add people to the map will be given to different rural country group moderators once there has been some sort of discussion as to what rural means for that country/area.
 
 
==Examples==


== Examples ==


Listed below are some examples of Rural Couchsurfing hosts all over the world:
Listed below are some examples of Rural Couchsurfing hosts all over the world:
Line 214: Line 268:
In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=326LQ4P Ireland]
In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=326LQ4P Ireland]


In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=5VROO2P Mexico] Located [http://bosquevillage.com/ here]
In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=5VROO2P Mexico] Located [http://bosquevillage.com/ here]


In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=2XV320A Morocco]
In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=2XV320A Morocco]
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In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/freebird28 Portugal]
In [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/freebird28 Portugal]


==Rural Couchsurfing – guidelines for hosts==
In [http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/skywalke/ Slovenia]
 
The guidelines in a rural Couchsurfing experience remain the same as in a urban Couchsurfing experience.
 
'''Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki/How_to_be_a_good_host "How to be a good host"] page'''
 
 
If you wish to ask your surfers for a little help at home:
 
'''1/ Inform'''
 
Make sure that you explain properly to the surfer what you're expecting before the surfer comes, to avoid any bad surprise. And again, fill in your profile as much as possible so that the people can know what to expect even before contacting you. Let them know any special warm clothing they need to bring, or if they need to bring a headlamp if there is no electricty.
 
'''2/ Don't ask too much'''
 
Don't ask your surfers too much, they might not be professional farmers and might mostly want to visit the area and rest. 2-3 hours of help a day should be enough.
 
'''3/ Adapt the task to the person'''
 
Remember that if a surfer comes to your place to help you it's also to discover a bit of your life, so please be kind and offer a wide range of activities, weeding for 3 hours a day might not be very exciting for a guest.
 
'''4/ Feed your guests'''
 
If they help you, then it seems logical that they get the meals in exchange.
 
'''5/ Help your surfers'''
 
Maybe you live in a remote place, and if you have the possibility, you could give your surfers a lift to your place and to the nearest public transport when they leave.
 
'''6/ Be patient'''
 
It's possible that your surfers will not know anything about rural areas: be patient, fully explain your way of life and your expectations and everything should be fine.
 
 
==Rural Couchsurfing – guidelines for guests==
 
 
The guidelines in a rural Couchsurfing experience remain the same as in a urban Couchsurfing experience.
 
'''Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki.html?page_requested=How_to_be_a_good_guest "How to be a good guest"] page'''
 
 
If a host is asking for few hours of help a day and if you wish to help:
 
'''1/ Be informed'''
 
Make sure that you know what will be expected from you to avoid any bad surprises. Don't be afraid to ask a potential host exactly what type of help is you will be doing. Your experience depends upon it!
 
'''2/ Be ready to help'''
 
If you tell your host that you're going to help 3 hours a day, after one hour do not say that  you don't want to help anymore and that you're going for a walk... Respect what has been agreed upon.
 
'''3/ Respect your limits'''
 
Never accept a task that you are not comfortable doing. Be sure to know what you're going to do in advance and that you'll be able to do it. If a host ask you for something that you can't handle, then refuse kindly and propose your help for something else.
 
'''4/ Don't believe that your help is paying a hotel service'''
 
* Working in the garden for 2 hours doesn't prevent you to help with cooking or washing dishes.


* Helping 3 hours a day for 5 days doesn't make you unable to clean the floor, set the table or give any extra help needed.
== Background, Past and Future ==


* In general, as in any Couchsurfing experience, be ready to give a little hand for the daily tasks.
Click here to read more about the [[Background, Past and Future]] of Rural Couchsurfing.


'''5/ Bring appropriate clothing and equipment'''
== Feedback ==


Example: If you know that you'll be helping in the garden, don't bring only your brand new skirt or your favourite pants. Adapt yourself to the situation.
If you would like to propose a change to Rural Couchsurfing please do so [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=18641 here] or contact us directly at: ruralcouchsurfing@gmail.com
Example: In some locations without electricity it is very difficult to function without a headlamp.  


'''6/ Be curious but respectful'''
If you want to see an overview you can check out our administration page. [[Administration]]


Don't expect your hosts to entertain you with rural experience the whole day long. They might have to work and might not always have the time to explain what they are doing. Be curious and willing to help and learn within the limit of your hosts’ hospitality.
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[[fr:Le CouchSurfing rural]]
[[Category:Rural]]
[[it:Rural CouchSurfing]]

Latest revision as of 19:22, 5 January 2019

Rural hospitality stands for rural hospitality exchange. Here is your one stop portal to interacting with the world through internet hospitality websites - whether it's Couchsurfing, BeWelcome or Warm Showers - all are welcome to participate. Trustroots is a good new place to find rural hospitality, as its built around searching on a map.

How it works: Please read through our guides and once you are familiar with how it works, and how it is different to a normal urban hospitality experience please check out the country pages and maps where you are either going to visit or reside.

Note: This has been created with the developed world in mind. A draft outline of a model for the developing can be found at rural hospitality in the developing world.




Nuvola apps bookcase.png Maps

For now we still have our old Google map network seen here.

Check back later this year and hopefully there will be a new map system up and running :)

Vision Statement

To build an international Rural Hospitality Network :)

Purpose

The purpose behind Rural hospitality is twofold,

  1. To allow travelers to experience rural areas that are often overlooked, letting them experience ways of life completely different to those found in cities.
  2. To allow rural communities to experience culture exchange they otherwise wouldn’t.

Definition

Rural areas (also referred to as "the country", countryside) are settled places outside towns and cities. Such areas are distinct from more intensively settled urban and suburban areas, and also from unsettled lands such as outback, American Old West, or wilderness. Inhabitants live in villages, hamlets, on farms and in other isolated houses.

Population Limitation

Since this definition is not clear enough for everyone, generally the maximum population for villages is considered top be 2,500 persons.12

Alternative definition

A village can also be defined as:

A village is human scale: it is large enough so that all the needs of its inhabitants can be met, with complete specialisation of tasks, but not so large that there are anonymous people; in a village everybody is known, and strangers are instantly recognised and assessed. Settlements smaller than villages are called "hamlets". In a hamlet there are not enough people for a diversity of specialisation of tasks, so culture is limited to necessities.


For further clarity please read What Rural Means to make sure that you understand the difference between rural and "out of big cities".

See the discussion.

Languages

This wiki page should be translated into more languages. How many more? The more the merrier. If you can help with translations please contact the Rural CS Team.

For this wiki in other languages please click here :)

Flags were removed from the wiki as hospitality exchange isn't about nationalism 1

What is the difference between a rural and urban Hospitality experience?

The principal difference is the location.

Note that there can be some other differences:

  • No or few internet access
  • Difficulty to reach the place
  • Difference of activities to do around
  • Difference in lifestyle of host(s)
  • In some cases, more help needed or expected than in urban environments(Click the following to read more WWOOF vs Rural Hospex)

Expectation of Host

A rural host can expect from his guest exactly the same things as in an urban area:

  • Respect of his place
  • Understanding and respect of his way of life
  • Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking…)
  • A great experience in general

A rural host can also sometimes expect:

  • A little more help in the garden or the house

Expectation of Guest

A rural guest at the very least is expecting to discover what it is to live in a rural environment in the country they are traveling through.

A guest in a rural area can expect:

  • A place to stay (bed, couch, place on the floor, place for a tent…)
  • Understanding and respect of his way of life
  • Sharing time, experiences, conversation, and some daily tasks (dishes, cooking etc.)
  • A quiet place to rest and forget your busy city life
  • A great experience in general

Additional things that can be expected:

  • Discovering a bit of the daily life if on a farm or an alternative community for example.
  • Participating a little to the daily tasks (and then maybe learn and experience new things) (1)

(1)The guest has to make sure that he/she understands what is going to happen during the stay and that he/she is going to be able to give the little help that might be expected.

Country Guides

Rural areas change as the landscape changes. Please check your country page to find out information about anything rural related.

The meaning of rural changes from place to place, and while we have put a general population limitation in place we encourage people to come up with their own definition that suites their area, along with a matching icon. Moderators of the relevant group should maintain a basic wiki page for their respective area, if for nothing else than to explain the process of how to be added to the map.

See a list of the regions by clicking - Rural Hospex Guides.

Promotion

Rural Hospitality has mostly spread through word of mouth and by people reading the groups within the website www.couchsurfing.org. It is hoped that it will transcend couchsurfing and be open for members of all hospitality exchange websites.

Groups

The French Rural CS group got up and running through the promotion of groups. Read here to follow the steps they took. This is the main way to promote Rural Couchsurfing - by making a Rural Group and then linking it to the main country group, as done in France and Australia.

This group has just started (August 2012) but it is hoped that will become active and a place for people to interact about their rural experiences.

Newsletters/News feed

Rural Hospitality has been spread through a variety of Couchsurfing newsletters that are managed by volunteers. Please see examples from Australia123 and France. Rural Couchsurfing has also been mentioned in the official News Feed1, it would be great if it could be periodically mentioned here so that new members could find out about it too.

Permanent website placements

Rural Hospitality has been placed in the Couchsurfing.org tips secion!


Other Media (Pictures)

Pictures are currently stored on the Rural Couchsurfing Picaso account.

Icon

Rural hosts may want to add an icon to their profile as well as a link to this wiki page explaining that they are rural hosts.

Possible ideas for an icon are:

Rural.gif Try1.jpg RCSIcon2.gif Rural bw.png

To see some icons for Rural India click the following link.

Rural CS India Icons


To add an icon for Rural CouchSurfing to your couch description, just copy paste the code below:

<a href="http://couchwiki.org/en/Rural_CouchSurfing"><img src="http://couchwiki.org/public/images/8/82/RCSIcon2.gif"></a>

Note: the last two images appear the same but the second has a white background and the third has a transparent background. The code to put an icon in your couch description is for the third image. You can change the image by substituting the url from one of the other images for it.


More ideas are MOST welcome! There is no reason to only have one icon, the greater the variety the better. More discussion about icons here.

Examples

Listed below are some examples of Rural Couchsurfing hosts all over the world:

In Australia

In France

In Ireland

In Mexico Located here

In Morocco

In Norway

In Portugal

In Slovenia

Background, Past and Future

Click here to read more about the Background, Past and Future of Rural Couchsurfing.

Feedback

If you would like to propose a change to Rural Couchsurfing please do so here or contact us directly at: [email protected]

If you want to see an overview you can check out our administration page. Administration

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