Casey Fenton, CouchSurfing Founder has launched his own blog. Check it out:
blog: http://blog.couchsurfing.org/casey/
twitter: http://twitter.com/cs_casey
Thursday, June 23, 2011
CouchSurfing Founder Launches Own Blog!
blog: http://blog.couchsurfing.org/casey/
twitter: http://twitter.com/cs_casey
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
CouchSurfers, We Are Looking For Guest Posts for a CouchSurfing Blog Carnival
1. Are you a CouchSurfer (or member of any Hospitality Exchange site)
2. Do you have a blog or a story to tell?
Contact us, if you would like to guest post or re-post your favourite related article from your blog. In exchange, we will add you to the CSer blogroll to the left.
2. Do you have a blog or a story to tell?
Contact us, if you would like to guest post or re-post your favourite related article from your blog. In exchange, we will add you to the CSer blogroll to the left.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Europalive: Living in the EU in the 21st century
For 10 weeks, young French film director Arnaud Jullien traveled through Europe to meet fellow Europeans. He spoke to people from all walks of life who share their opinions in front of his camera. The result: Europalive.
Since the abolishment of interstate border controls in the European Union, queues of cars stretching far down the road at customs have become a distant memory. For several years now, EU citizens have been enjoying the right "to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States" in keeping with Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Integration
However, Arnaud Jullien wonders whether the loosening up of international boundaries has indeed led to European integration. Have EU citizens really got to know one another better than before or are ingrained prejudices still affecting opinions? Has the "free movement of goods, persons and services" helped EU residents to reach a better understanding of who Europeans are?
In his 52-minute documentary film, Europalive, Mr Jullien explores the world of politics, culture and finance within the European community, interviewing people across all EU countries.
Artists, housewives, employees, executives, the homeless and jobless, pensioners and students all participate in this challenging project which Mr Jullien hopes will contribute to improving the way we communicate within Europe and the way we see one another.
What made you decide to make this film?
For my first documentary project, half a billion people and 27 countries seemed like a good start. More seriously, I feel concerned about peace and harmony in Europe. Our recent history teaches us that this equilibrium is fragile and we all need to play an active part in taking care of it. This film is my personal contribution and I hope it will allow more professionals to get interested in my work and projects.
Did the result surprise you?
The result was surprising in many aspects. It was amazing to visit as many as 24 countries within 10 weeks. I came back with 30 tapes of video content; I had to find volunteers to translate 140 interviews from 23 languages into English. The most surprising thing was to find so many people who were interested in participating in this project, from hosting me to guiding me and helping me out. I am very grateful and I hope everybody enjoys the result.
Did any European nationality stand out from the rest in their responses to your questions?
It's funny, I get this question all the time. It's really difficult for me to answer this one, since there are no good or bad answers to these questions. That said, I loved the Baltic countries - but it's more for personal reasons I guess.
On your journey you also met expatriates. Have you had any experience as an expatriate yourself?
I have been an 'early expatriate' and many expatriates have been part of my daily life for more than ten years. When I was 18, I went to live in Berlin. I hope I will have the opportunity to go and live or work there one day - great place and great people. After my university studies, back in France, I went to live in London for almost four years. Another great experience. My most recent 'second home' was Amsterdam. I stayed there for four years, and I still have lots of friends there. I love this place, it's like living in a village with all the advantages of living in a capital. You get to meet people from all around the planet. It's a wicked place, and a paradise for expatriates.
What are you going to do now?
I will create a website with all the interviews uncut, from every country, once I'm done with the broadcast part. Depending on how things work for this first project, I would definitely like to expand this concept to a TV/Web pan-European programme, broadcasting in all the EU countries. For that purpose, I have started to look for co-producers, and various partners, both institutional and private, to co-finance this future project. I am also working on several scripts, one for a TV series and two others for feature films. I hope Expatica's readers will enjoy this first episode and will follow up on the next ones.
For Europalive episodes click here.
Original article: http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/europalive-living-eu-21st-century
Since the abolishment of interstate border controls in the European Union, queues of cars stretching far down the road at customs have become a distant memory. For several years now, EU citizens have been enjoying the right "to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States" in keeping with Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Integration
However, Arnaud Jullien wonders whether the loosening up of international boundaries has indeed led to European integration. Have EU citizens really got to know one another better than before or are ingrained prejudices still affecting opinions? Has the "free movement of goods, persons and services" helped EU residents to reach a better understanding of who Europeans are?
In his 52-minute documentary film, Europalive, Mr Jullien explores the world of politics, culture and finance within the European community, interviewing people across all EU countries.
Artists, housewives, employees, executives, the homeless and jobless, pensioners and students all participate in this challenging project which Mr Jullien hopes will contribute to improving the way we communicate within Europe and the way we see one another.
What made you decide to make this film?
For my first documentary project, half a billion people and 27 countries seemed like a good start. More seriously, I feel concerned about peace and harmony in Europe. Our recent history teaches us that this equilibrium is fragile and we all need to play an active part in taking care of it. This film is my personal contribution and I hope it will allow more professionals to get interested in my work and projects.
Did the result surprise you?
The result was surprising in many aspects. It was amazing to visit as many as 24 countries within 10 weeks. I came back with 30 tapes of video content; I had to find volunteers to translate 140 interviews from 23 languages into English. The most surprising thing was to find so many people who were interested in participating in this project, from hosting me to guiding me and helping me out. I am very grateful and I hope everybody enjoys the result.
Did any European nationality stand out from the rest in their responses to your questions?
It's funny, I get this question all the time. It's really difficult for me to answer this one, since there are no good or bad answers to these questions. That said, I loved the Baltic countries - but it's more for personal reasons I guess.
On your journey you also met expatriates. Have you had any experience as an expatriate yourself?
I have been an 'early expatriate' and many expatriates have been part of my daily life for more than ten years. When I was 18, I went to live in Berlin. I hope I will have the opportunity to go and live or work there one day - great place and great people. After my university studies, back in France, I went to live in London for almost four years. Another great experience. My most recent 'second home' was Amsterdam. I stayed there for four years, and I still have lots of friends there. I love this place, it's like living in a village with all the advantages of living in a capital. You get to meet people from all around the planet. It's a wicked place, and a paradise for expatriates.
What are you going to do now?
I will create a website with all the interviews uncut, from every country, once I'm done with the broadcast part. Depending on how things work for this first project, I would definitely like to expand this concept to a TV/Web pan-European programme, broadcasting in all the EU countries. For that purpose, I have started to look for co-producers, and various partners, both institutional and private, to co-finance this future project. I am also working on several scripts, one for a TV series and two others for feature films. I hope Expatica's readers will enjoy this first episode and will follow up on the next ones.
For Europalive episodes click here.
Original article: http://www.rnw.nl/english/video/europalive-living-eu-21st-century
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Environmental Documentary to be filmed
During April-May, 2009, a small volunteer film crew will venture into a Shiwiar tribal region of Ecuador´s Amazon rainforest to film an environmental documentary called ´Ikiam´.
The upcoming documentary will reveal how the Juyuintza tribal community (which is on the brink of economic civilization) is trying to defend their territory from oil exploitation through a new eco-tourism project, whilst trying to preserve their Shiwiar culture.
Simone Francis, Producer and Director of the upcoming film, who recently lived with the Juyuintza tribe for a month says `Their culture is dying out, and their story is important! The tribe is carving a future for their community that preserves their culture while helping to protect their environment and improve education for their children.´
Ikiam will lead us on an adventure deep into the jungle to find out what impact outside influences are having on the Shiwiar way of life, and will cover not only an environmental theme, but also indigenous, human rights, educational, and health and well being issues.
It is a non-profit project where half of any money made from the film will go towards helping to protect the Amazonian Shiwiar region as well as improving health and education in the region. The other half will go into the Nomadic Hands project (www.nomadichands.com) to help continue projects that help bring awareness to human rights, animal welfare and environmental conservation.
The crew is currently seeking sponsorship or donations to cover the cost of their flights in and out of the region, and for production expenses. There is also one volunteer film crew position still open.
If you would like to sponsor or donate to the Ikiam documentary project, or join the team, please contact Simone Francis at simone@nomadichands.com
For more information about the project go to http://www.nomadichands.com/news_blog.php?id=40
To view pictures of the tribal region go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadichands/sets/72157609872744654/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCUl38SOk1I
Source: http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=3886&post=2293029
The upcoming documentary will reveal how the Juyuintza tribal community (which is on the brink of economic civilization) is trying to defend their territory from oil exploitation through a new eco-tourism project, whilst trying to preserve their Shiwiar culture.
Simone Francis, Producer and Director of the upcoming film, who recently lived with the Juyuintza tribe for a month says `Their culture is dying out, and their story is important! The tribe is carving a future for their community that preserves their culture while helping to protect their environment and improve education for their children.´
Ikiam will lead us on an adventure deep into the jungle to find out what impact outside influences are having on the Shiwiar way of life, and will cover not only an environmental theme, but also indigenous, human rights, educational, and health and well being issues.
It is a non-profit project where half of any money made from the film will go towards helping to protect the Amazonian Shiwiar region as well as improving health and education in the region. The other half will go into the Nomadic Hands project (www.nomadichands.com) to help continue projects that help bring awareness to human rights, animal welfare and environmental conservation.
The crew is currently seeking sponsorship or donations to cover the cost of their flights in and out of the region, and for production expenses. There is also one volunteer film crew position still open.
If you would like to sponsor or donate to the Ikiam documentary project, or join the team, please contact Simone Francis at simone@nomadichands.com
For more information about the project go to http://www.nomadichands.com/news_blog.php?id=40
To view pictures of the tribal region go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomadichands/sets/72157609872744654/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCUl38SOk1I
Source: http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=3886&post=2293029
Saturday, December 13, 2008
SantaCon Dec 13th. New York City
Imagine thousands of drunk ass Santa's invading Manhattan neighborhoods.
What a jolly time.
1 santa costume is required.
It usually starts around 10am and goes late, but many people don't join until the afternoon.
link: http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=2372&post=1916489
What a jolly time.
1 santa costume is required.
It usually starts around 10am and goes late, but many people don't join until the afternoon.
link: http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=2372&post=1916489
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Berlin WinterCamp 2008
Berlin Couchsurfing/HospitalityClub/BeWelcome community has something to announce:
Germany’s capital is going to host this year’s WinterCamp - in the tradition of cities like Vilnius (LT) - 2004, Rīga (LV) - 2005, Warszawa (PL) - 2006 and İstanbul (TR) - 2007!!!
Detailed information about the event is on our website www.berlinwintercamp.org
The event will take place from the 28th December 2008 until the early morning hours of the 2nd January 2009 in a location called HomeBase Lounge in the heart of Berlin close to Potsdamer Platz.
As a legal requirement the number of participants of the Berlin WinterCamp will be limited to 450 people.
To make sure the event is not going to be overrun by Berliners only we will reserve 250 tickets for people from abroad, 50 of those for a limited period for people who require a visa.
People can can sign-up & pay via Bank Transfer or a credit or debit card, or by PayPal from now on. This is our temporary procedure while we put the finishing touches to our official website. Once it's on-line, we will direct you that rather than this system. But keep in mind that you will only have a space guaranteed after you have paid the required participation fee. Please make sure that you won’t book your travel ticket until your space at the Camp is guaranteed!!!
Please keep in mind:
People younger than 18 years have to leave the location each night prior to 0:00 o'clock if not
accompanied by a guardian!!!
The participation fee for the 6 days will be 35 € which includes 20 € of free
drinks at the bar:
0,33l Pils: 2,80€;
0.2l Red/White Wine: 3,50€;
0,33l Soft Drinks: 2,50€;
0,25l Mineral Water: 2,-€.
This 20 € is due to the fact
that we don’t need to pay a rent for the location but have to guarantee a
minimum revenue of 9.000 € within the five days.
The hosting of the participants will be done by the Berlin community for which we will set up a system.
Even though we have a limit of 450 people for the location the limit will not necessarily count for activities and workshops outside of HomeBase Lounge.
HOW TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION?
1) Visit this website to begin the WinterCamp 2008 sign-up process:
www.dts-workshop.com/bwc/pay.php
(form via Google Documents)
2) Within a short while you'll receive an e-mail. The e-mail will contain a link to a page that will instruct you on how to pay by your preferred method.
3) Using your chosen payment method, ensure that you pay the 35EUR, including the confirmation code that you are given.
4) You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your payment has been received.
5) You will receive another e-mail later on with your web-site sign-in details (if the website is live, please don't sign-up to it yet!).
Note: Your bank may charge a fee for a transfer (especially if you are not in a Euro currency zone). You are responsible for covering charges. Also, if you are not in a Euro currency zone, it is your responsibility to calculate the correct exchange rate. If you are unsure about charges or exchange rates, please ask your bank.
The BWC team:
Anreas (ANDREAST00 - CS)
Florian (flohfish - HC/CS/BW)
Isa (isabolita - HC/CS
Jana (CAZZANDRA13 - CS / Shakti2000 - HC)
Oliver (otupman - HC/CS)
Paul (transmit - HC/CS)
Paul (PAULB23 - CS)
http://www.couchsurfing.com/meetings.html?mid=19039
Germany’s capital is going to host this year’s WinterCamp - in the tradition of cities like Vilnius (LT) - 2004, Rīga (LV) - 2005, Warszawa (PL) - 2006 and İstanbul (TR) - 2007!!!
Detailed information about the event is on our website www.berlinwintercamp.org
The event will take place from the 28th December 2008 until the early morning hours of the 2nd January 2009 in a location called HomeBase Lounge in the heart of Berlin close to Potsdamer Platz.
As a legal requirement the number of participants of the Berlin WinterCamp will be limited to 450 people.
To make sure the event is not going to be overrun by Berliners only we will reserve 250 tickets for people from abroad, 50 of those for a limited period for people who require a visa.
People can can sign-up & pay via Bank Transfer or a credit or debit card, or by PayPal from now on. This is our temporary procedure while we put the finishing touches to our official website. Once it's on-line, we will direct you that rather than this system. But keep in mind that you will only have a space guaranteed after you have paid the required participation fee. Please make sure that you won’t book your travel ticket until your space at the Camp is guaranteed!!!
Please keep in mind:
People younger than 18 years have to leave the location each night prior to 0:00 o'clock if not
accompanied by a guardian!!!
The participation fee for the 6 days will be 35 € which includes 20 € of free
drinks at the bar:
0,33l Pils: 2,80€;
0.2l Red/White Wine: 3,50€;
0,33l Soft Drinks: 2,50€;
0,25l Mineral Water: 2,-€.
This 20 € is due to the fact
that we don’t need to pay a rent for the location but have to guarantee a
minimum revenue of 9.000 € within the five days.
The hosting of the participants will be done by the Berlin community for which we will set up a system.
Even though we have a limit of 450 people for the location the limit will not necessarily count for activities and workshops outside of HomeBase Lounge.
HOW TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION?
1) Visit this website to begin the WinterCamp 2008 sign-up process:
www.dts-workshop.com/bwc/pay.php
(form via Google Documents)
2) Within a short while you'll receive an e-mail. The e-mail will contain a link to a page that will instruct you on how to pay by your preferred method.
3) Using your chosen payment method, ensure that you pay the 35EUR, including the confirmation code that you are given.
4) You will receive a confirmation e-mail once your payment has been received.
5) You will receive another e-mail later on with your web-site sign-in details (if the website is live, please don't sign-up to it yet!).
Note: Your bank may charge a fee for a transfer (especially if you are not in a Euro currency zone). You are responsible for covering charges. Also, if you are not in a Euro currency zone, it is your responsibility to calculate the correct exchange rate. If you are unsure about charges or exchange rates, please ask your bank.
The BWC team:
Anreas (ANDREAST00 - CS)
Florian (flohfish - HC/CS/BW)
Isa (isabolita - HC/CS
Jana (CAZZANDRA13 - CS / Shakti2000 - HC)
Oliver (otupman - HC/CS)
Paul (transmit - HC/CS)
Paul (PAULB23 - CS)
http://www.couchsurfing.com/meetings.html?mid=19039
Friday, November 28, 2008
Finland is heating up in preparation for its biggest event in December!
28 November 2008
Get your snow gear and hit the ice - it's time for the 2nd Nordic CS Organization Meeting!
This event will be held in Helsinki on 5 - 7 December 2008. Everyone is invited to this massive event taking place in the wintry haven of the land of lakes. All surfers, old and new, are warmly welcomed!
This will be the biggest CouchSurfing event organised in Finland so far, with over 100 CouchSurfers already signed up to attend. The weekend is full of fun activities including sauna, Independence Day party, a visit from Santa, a city walk, brunch and a scavenger hunt. There will also be a work meeting for the Nordic Ambassadors to discuss CS matters close to the arctic circle.
What a great opportunity get to know Finland's capitol city while hanging out with amazing CouchSurfers!
Check out the following links for more information and to sign up for this taste of Finland you'll never forget:
We look forward to seeing you there!
- The Nordic CS Team
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