Wat does a couch and surfing have to do with Islay, I hear you think! I must admit I heard the name before but didn't have a clue what it meant. Thought it had something to do with surfing the net on your couch, something I do quite a lot by the way, and yes I would rather do that on Islay or Jura! This however is something completely different and I will explain what it is.
This morning I received an email from Bill Wright, who lives in Glasgow, titled "an unusual request". In his email he explaines why he contacted me and what the concept of couchsurfing is about. Now you are probably curious as well right? Ok, according to the website of couchsurfing.com their mission is: "CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance, and facilitate cultural understanding." Sounds great but up to this point I still didn't have a clue.
Bill's explanation made things clear for me: 'Couch-Surfing' was originally set up as a sort of 'give and take' hospitality network for people who travel and back-packers etc. as an alternative to Hostels. The basic idea is that as long as you have a spare couch in your home, then you can allow people to stay or 'surf' the spare couch while they are travelling and if enough people get involved then you too can be 'Hosted' by someone to 'Surf' their couch whenever you travel. In actual fact, the Couch Surfing concept has become absolutely massive world-wide with some 200,000 members in 23,000 Cities and 200+ Countries.
Bill, being a couchsurfer himself, asked me to publish the following request: My request concerns a very respectable lady from Vermont in the USA who is an Author, and who is looking for low-cost, long-term lodging on or close to Jura. Who knows, as someone who has written books on Mediterranean Island life, maybe she has a book about Jura and the Hebridean life-style in mind. I don't know.
What I do know however is that she's been struggling to find the right path to information about Jura that may lead to being able to set up somewhere to stay for a few months, and that her books, and her character seem as far as I can see to be exemplary. I've offered to 'Host' her in Glasgow during her intended travels and I think she would be a charming and fascinating guest for anyone to have staying for a wee while, or even for a more extended period.
I also know, from some past personal experience, that the people in your part of the world are open-minded, and big hearted, and I was wondering if maybe, using the links and details in this email, you might be able to write a story on her quest with the view to generating some interest and perhaps finding her a temporary home?
The Author's name is Theresa Maggio and her books are enchanting tales of Sicilian Island life. Theresa can be emailed directly at : tegoblue52[at-symbol]hotmail.com
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