Trustroots Wiki - User contributions [en]

User talk:Midsch

2013-03-02T21:18:43Z

The juanderer: /* Spain */

Welcome Midsch, it's great to see you editing here! I just made you sysop and bureaucrat :) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
:Wow. That's the fastest career in a wiki I didn't set up myself! For today I just said "hallo" and need to sleep, but I'll be back soon;) [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

wiki.couchsurfing.org is still up...
:probably the same old cs-lazyness ...

BTW, I disabled dnsbl again as it seemed to block a bit too much (even my own IP). I'm afraid spammers will be back. I also checked the captcha, but it's too easy right now. I'll take a look at the hitchwiki captcha set up later. (And also put it on trashwiki.) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 14:58, 24 December 2012 (CET)

== Welcome center ==

Thanks for the welcome. I try to stay away from the politics as much as possible. I'm glad I can contribute. ~Headtrip

== Berlin links removed ==
A lot of [http://couchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&curid=215&diff=6260&oldid=6244 links were removed], some seemed quite useful, was this intentional or just an accident? [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 02:41, 17 February 2013 (CET)
:It was intentional - the links where copy&pasted from the Hongkong page and pretty useless for Berlin, so I left only the structure and hoped for the new Berliners here to fill the gaps. And they already started doing so, so no need to worry ... [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] ([[User talk:Midsch|talk]]) 13:33, 17 February 2013 (CET)

== Spain ==

Hi Midsch, I did not archive any of Spain's subpages. But I know there is an archive of the entire wiki.couchsurfing.org. I just can't remember where.

Found it! http://wiki.csexport.org/en/Main_Page.html

Madrid and its subpages are here: http://wiki.csexport.org/en/Madrid.html

It's a shame that the subpages did not get archived. :/

'''I found an archive!''' It might take some work to reconstruct the wiki from it, but I think all the information is there: http://madridfortravellers.wordpress.com/

[[User:The juanderer|The juanderer]] ([[User talk:The juanderer|talk]]) 22:10, 2 March 2013 (CET)

User talk:Midsch

2013-03-02T21:10:47Z

The juanderer: /* Spain */

Welcome Midsch, it's great to see you editing here! I just made you sysop and bureaucrat :) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
:Wow. That's the fastest career in a wiki I didn't set up myself! For today I just said "hallo" and need to sleep, but I'll be back soon;) [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] 01:34, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

wiki.couchsurfing.org is still up...
:probably the same old cs-lazyness ...

BTW, I disabled dnsbl again as it seemed to block a bit too much (even my own IP). I'm afraid spammers will be back. I also checked the captcha, but it's too easy right now. I'll take a look at the hitchwiki captcha set up later. (And also put it on trashwiki.) [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 14:58, 24 December 2012 (CET)

== Welcome center ==

Thanks for the welcome. I try to stay away from the politics as much as possible. I'm glad I can contribute. ~Headtrip

== Berlin links removed ==
A lot of [http://couchwiki.org/en/index.php?title=Berlin&curid=215&diff=6260&oldid=6244 links were removed], some seemed quite useful, was this intentional or just an accident? [[User:Guaka|guaka]] ([[User talk:Guaka|talk]]) 02:41, 17 February 2013 (CET)
:It was intentional - the links where copy&pasted from the Hongkong page and pretty useless for Berlin, so I left only the structure and hoped for the new Berliners here to fill the gaps. And they already started doing so, so no need to worry ... [[User:Midsch|Midsch]] ([[User talk:Midsch|talk]]) 13:33, 17 February 2013 (CET)

== Spain ==

Hi Midsch, I did not archive any of Spain's subpages. But I know there is an archive of the entire wiki.couchsurfing.org. I just can't remember where.

Found it! http://wiki.csexport.org/en/Main_Page.html

Madrid and its subpages are here: http://wiki.csexport.org/en/Madrid.html

It's a shame that the subpages did not get archived. :/

[[User:The juanderer|The juanderer]] ([[User talk:The juanderer|talk]]) 22:10, 2 March 2013 (CET)

User talk:Midsch

2013-03-02T19:55:31Z

The juanderer: /* Spain */

User talk:Midsch

2013-03-02T19:00:41Z

The juanderer: /* Spain */

User talk:Midsch

2013-03-02T18:35:40Z

The juanderer: /* Spain */ new section

New York City

2013-03-01T22:55:14Z

The juanderer: changed all instances of wiki.couchsurfing to www.couchwiki

{{United States}}
{{City header
|city = New York City
|country = United States
|areas =
|toplinks =
|bwgroup = 131
|csgroup = 2372
|wikipedia = New York City
|hitchwiki = New York City
|wikitravel = New York City
|image = Flag_of_New_York_City.svg
|imagetext = Flag of the City of New York
}}
{{TOCright}}

'''New York City''', also known as ''The Big Apple'', is the biggest city in the [[United States]].

==Meetings==

New York City's CouchSurfing community has a website with a calendar, photos of past events and other information: http://csnyc.org/

The [http://bit.ly/CSNYcalendar Google Calendar] for NYC is a great way to keep informed of upcoming events in the greater NYC area. To add CSNewYork to your Google Calendar, do a search by email: couchsurfingnewyork@gmail.com

Follow us on [http://twitter.com/CSNewYork Twitter] for the latest updates. To receive tweets of our NYC group posts, follow [http://twitter.com/CouchSurfNY CouchSurfNY].

After the meetups, be sure to share your photos on [http://www.flickr.com/groups/couchsurfingnyc/ our Flickr group] or on our [https://www.facebook.com/csnewyork Facebook group].

Thursdays have been the weekly meeting day but there is always something going on. The [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=2372 New York City Group] is an excellent way to keep up to date. You should definitely join before visiting.

There are also regular meetups in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=2399/ Brooklyn], [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3813/ Queens] and [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=327/ New Jersey].

==New Member Welcome Kit==
The [http://www.couchwiki.org/en/United_states_new_member_welcome_kit US New Member Welcome Kit] answers a lot of questions and is a great resource for both new members and seasoned CSers.

==Important Numbers & Services==

===Emergency Services===
Dial '''911''' from any phone to contact emergency services when there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

===NYC Information===
Dial '''311''' from any phone for government and non-emergency information or visit [http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/ their website.]

===NYC Subway Information===
Dial '''511''' from any phone for information on the subway and bus system or visit [http://www.mta.info their website.]

===Government Information===
[http://www.nyc.gov/ Official NYC website.]

===Police Stations ===
If you are really unlucky and manage to land yourself into trouble, here's a [http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/precincts.shtml list of the local police stations.]

==Staying Safe==

===Safety Tips===
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/safety.html Safety features on CS]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/read_profile_tips.html How to read a profile]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/couchrequest_tips.html Finding and requesting a couch]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/surf_tips.html Tips for surfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/host_tips.html Tips for hosting]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/solo_tips.html Solo couchsurfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/family_tips.html Family couchsurfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/references.html Writing and reading references]
* [http://www.couchwiki.org/en/Handling_Dating_Requests Dating & CS]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/scams.html Avoiding scams & dealing with spam]

===CS Guidelines===
What's acceptable to do on CS? Read our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/guidelines.html guidelines] and [http://www.couchsurfing.org/terms.html terms of use].

===References===
'''Honest, accurate references''' are incredibly important!

You do not have to couchsurf with someone in order to leave a reference. You are encouraged to write a reference whenever you have learned something about a CouchSurfer that will be informative to the community. The [http://www.couchsurfing.org/references.html CS guide to references] gives you more information about when to write a reference and what information to include.

Please remember that reporting a negative experience is not the end of the world. It is normal that not everybody gets along fine and that '''''you are describing your experience for the benefit of others, not judging a person.''''' '''Negative references aren't just for safety issues. They're to give you a better idea of who the person is.''' CS will make every effort to remove any unjustified negative references received in retaliation for having left a negative reference. The [http://www.couchsurfing.org/mdst_faq.html#DeleteRef Member Disputes FAQ] has more information about when CS will remove a reference.

Doing the right thing in reporting a negative experience honestly will not create insurmountable problems, and '''''the clean conscience of not sharing responsibility for seriously bad things happening to other members by far outweighs any inconvenience.'''''

Reporting CSers who behave inappropriately, including but not limited to offensive, violent or sexually inappropriate behavior, who steals from you or engages in any other disturbing conduct, is required by our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/terms.html terms of use]. You must immediately report such person to the appropriate authorities and to us by [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contacting us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member.”

===Member Disputes & Safety Team===

'''You are required to report dangerous members to the MDST.''' You can do this by going to [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contact us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member." It is important to do this even if you choose not to leave a negative reference or press charges, so the MDST can look out for recurring problems and take action as necessary. If you require assistance with moderating a dispute or filing a police report, please contact MDST and/or a local ambassador.

* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/mdst_faq.html MDST FAQs]

* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=6220&post=517373 What can or can't the MDST do?]

===Theft===
'''You are required to report dangerous members to the MDST.''' You can do this by going to [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contact us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member." It is important to do this even if you choose not to leave a negative reference or press charges, so that the MDST can look out for recurring problems and take action as necessary. If you require assistance with moderating a dispute or filing a police report, please contact MDST and/or a local ambassador.

It is not advisable to post a public warning about another member. The MDST will take action and warn members under [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=6220&post=828170 specific circumstances].

===CouchSurfing Workshops===
Please check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=2372 NYCS group] and [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=couchsurfingnewyork%40gmail.com&ctz=America/New_York events calendar] for our next workshop. Workshops include information on how to set up a profile, what to expect while hosting and surfing, and how to stay safe while CSing.

===Self Defense Classes===
A number of organizations offer self-defense classes in New York City. Many colleges and non-profit organizations will host free or low-cost classes.

* Center for Anti-Violence Education
*: Free or low-cost self-defense workshops for children, teens, women and trans-folk. Located in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
*: 718-788-1775
*: http://www.caeny.org/
* Impact Personal Safety
*: Self-defense courses for children, teens, women and men.
*: 212-255-0505
*: http://www.prepareinc.com/
* Attackproof
*: Unique drills, exercises and principles cover everything from Awareness and avoidance to hand-to-hand and weapons training. Offered in various locations.
*: http://attackproof.com/CLASSES-IN-real-self-defense.html#group%20classes

==Finding a Couch==

===Doing a CouchSearch===
Finding a couch in NYC can be difficult because hosts receive many requests and most people live in small apartments. Send out requests early and be prepared to move around during your stay.

Doing a couchsearch of New York will only bring up hosts in Manhattan, so be sure to search in all five boros (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island). You can do this by doing a specific search or setting a five mile radius.

Keep in mind that New Jersey is just over the river. Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, Fort Lee, are closer to Manhattan than some parts of Brooklyn & Queens, and provide 24 hour access to the city (check hosts profile to see if they say that they live near a 24 hour bus or the [http://www.panynj.gov/path/ PATH train]).

====Try doing a CouchSearch for:====
* Queens: Astoria, NY; Elmhurst, NY; Flushing, NY; Jackson Heights, NY; Long Island City, NY; Ridgewood, NY; Sunnyside, NY

* Bronx, NY

* Brooklyn, NY

* Staten Island, NY

* New Jersey: Hoboken, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Newark, NJ; Weehawken, NJ; White Plains, NJ; Fort Lee, NJ

* Westchester: Yonkers, NY; Bronxville, NY; White Plains, NY

====Public Transportation====
The various public transportation systems allow easy, relatively cheap movement around the NYC metro area. Pretty much everything within a 15-20 mile radius allows easy access to Manhattan. You can go as far as 100 miles out but fares and transit time increase. Maps are available online:
* [http://www.mta.info NYC Transit] (NYC subway and bus)
*[http://www.mta.info/mnr/ MetroNorth] (commuter rail to the north)
* [http://www.njtransit.com/ New Jersey Transit] (commuter rail and bus)
* [http://www.panynj.gov/path/ PATH] (subway to NJ)
* [http://www.mta.info/lirr/ LIRR] (commuter rail to the east)
* [http://www.mta.info/libus/index.html Long Island Bus] (buses to east).

===Emergency Couch Group===
Post your last-minute couchrequests in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=5845 Last Minute CouchRequest Group]

It is always better to find a host by messaging other members directly. '''Please only use this group for emergencies and last minute couches.''' For example, you should not post to this group if you're looking for a couch 2 months from now.

Please take some extra time to read potential hosts' profiles, including sleeping arrangements and references, in order to find a good match. Usually you look through many profiles before
finding someone to contact. Make sure to take the same care when people are contacting you and offering a last minute couch. We want you to all have good NYCS experiences.

===Other Accommodation===
New York hosts are often overwhelmed by requests, so it's not always possible to find a host through CouchSurfing.

'''Map of hostels & affordable hotels:''' http://bit.ly/hnp0zg

====Temporary Apartment Listings====
*[http://newyork.craigslist.org/sub/ Craigslist]
*:NOTE: ALWAYS DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on craigslist. (from the craigslist website)
*[http://nyc.sublet.com/ Sublet.com]

====Hospitality Sites====
*[http://www.airbnb.com Air BnB]
*[http://www.bewelcome.org BeWelcome]
*[http://www.globalfreeloaders.com/ Global Freeloaders]

====Hostels====
*Cheap, clean rooms can be found at the [http://ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=963 YMCA]
*[http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/New-York Hostel World]
*[http://www.hostels.com/us.ny.ny.html Hostels.com]
*[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/new-york-city/ Hostel Bookers]
* Reviews of NYC hostels [http://www.yelp.com/c/nyc/hostels]

Inexpensive Hostels (list from C. R. Page as of February 2011)
* Royal Park Hotel and Hostel, 258 West 97th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.95
* Lafayette International Hostel, 484 Lafayette Av., Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $20
* Tone on Lex, 179 East 94th, New York, USA - Beds from $15
* Williamsburg HostL, 318 Bedford Ave #2, Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $26
* Columbus Circle Hostel, 120 West 60th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $24
* New York Hostel 99, 30 East 129th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $20.95
* AAE New York Hostel, 13909 89th Ave, JFK AIRPORT, New York, USA - Beds from $20.99
* Chocolat Hostel, 850 West End Avenue, New York, USA - Beds from $18.75
* The Candy Hostel, 315 W. 94th Street., New York, USA - Beds from $18.75
* Hostel 104, 2027 1st Avenue, New York, USA - Beds from $21.95
* New York Empire Hostel, 269 Meserole Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.99
* The New York Loft Hostel, 249 Varet St., Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $20
* AAE Super Eight Hostel New York, 139-01 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica Van Wyck Subway New York, New York, USA - Beds from $20.99
* The Wanderers Inn West, 257 West 113th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.50
* Jazz on Lenox, 104 West 128 Street, New York, USA - Beds from $17
* Jazz on Amsterdam Avenue, 201 West 87th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $22
* Broadway Hotel n Hostel, 230 West 101 Street, New York, USA - Beds from $20

== Transportation ==
'''See the [http://wikitravel.org/en/New_York_(city) New York City Wikitravel] page for detailed advice about transportation and attractions.'''

===By Plane===
There are three major Airports in the NYC area. JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) are both located in Queens.
Newark is located in New Jersey but provides for easy access to the city.

[http://offmanhattan.com/2010/06/21/nyc-airport-transportation/ Off Manhattan's Airport Transportation Guide]

====JFK====
The AirTrain costs $5 and runs from JFK and connects to the following subway/train stops
• LIRR trains and E/J/Z subways at Jamaica Station
• The "A" subway line at Howard Beach Station
From these subways and trains most of the 5 boroughs and outlying areas can be reached rather easily.

For trips between (to and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls using Rate Code 2 on the meter. A NY State Tax Surcharge of $.50 will be added to each trip.

If passengers request multiple stops, the flat rate of $45.00 will be collected at the first stop in either Manhattan or JFK International Airport, and the meter will be activated at Rate Code 1 (standard city rate) for the remainder of the trip. The metered fare should be collected at the last stop, from the last passenger.

Trips between JFK International Airport and New York City destinations other than Manhattan will use that standard metered rate.

If you're looking to cab in don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to split a cab with you.
Various Express buses are also running and range from $15 - $25 for a trip to Manhattan.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

====LaGuardia (LGA)====
Various buses run between LaGuardia and the 5 boroughs.
The two most popular buses are the M60 and the Q33. The M60 will take you into Manhattan and travels west along 125th Street, making stops at the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines at Lexington Ave; the MetroNorth station at Park Ave; the 2 and the 3 at Lenox Ave; the A, B, C and D at Saint Nicholas Ave; and the 1 at Broadway. The Q33 drops you off in Jackson Heights near different subway stations depending on where you need to get off. Don't hesitate to ask the bus driver where to get off for your particular subway line if you're unsure.

Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $30. If you want to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

====Newark (EWR)====
New Jersey Transit runs their own AirTrain service from Newark to New York Penn Station for around $15. This is usually the fastest method. See http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=AirportConnectionsTo for more information.
Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $50. If you're looking to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

The least expensive way is to take the New Jersey Transit #62 bus ($1.50) in front of the terminals to Newark Penn Station (20 minutes), and then the PATH train ($2) to lower Manhattan (25 minutes). They are both very frequent during the day.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

===By Bus===
There are many buses that connect New York with other major cities in the northeast, which are often significantly cheaper and more convenient that Greyhound or even Amtrak. These are the Chinatown buses and will typically run from Chinatown in New York City to the Chinatown area in another city. Often they pick up and drop off passengers on the side of the street, so it is important to know where they are. There are many companies that operate between the major cities, usually running every half hour every day.

The following are a few of the many companies:

New Century Travel 
http://www.2000coach.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT) and Richmond ($60 RT)

Fung Wah Bus 
https://www.fungwahbus.com/Default.aspx 
Operates Between NYC and Boston ($30 RT)

Apex Bus 
http://www.apexbus.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT), Richmond ($60 RT), Baltimore ($35 RT), Rockville, MD ($45 RT), Norfolk ($60 RT), Albany ($45 RT), Atlanta ($200 RT), Nashville ($70 RT)

Bolt Bus 
http://www.boltbus.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Boston ($16-20 OW), Philly ($13-$15 OW), Baltimore ($18-$20 OW), Washington ($18-$25 OW). However, if you book far enough in advance you can get a ticket for as little as $1 OW. They also offer wifi on board and power outlets.

The best way to find other companies is to google "Chinatown bus New York City'"

===By Car===
Goethals Bridge connects New Jersey and Staten Island
Holland Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
Lincoln Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
George Washington Bridge connects New Jersey and Manhattan
More information can be found at:
http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/

===By Foot or bicycle ===
The George Washington Bridge lets you walk or ride a bike across it when coming from the mainland (New Jersey). It offers quite a stunning view of the Hudson river and NYC skyline.

===Mass transit once in the city===
New York City arguably has the best developed and easiest public transportation system of all major cities in the United States (http://www.mta.info). It is easily navigable, runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is safe. It is an aged system, though, and some subway stations can smell bad and be unbearably hot in the summer, and there is a lot of rat poison applied on a regular basis. But the subway cars are generally clean, climate-controlled and well-maintained. Also, note that you are also subject to random "bag checks" by the police at all times (but I've only seen a couple of instances of this in the last few years).
As a traveler without a car or bicycle you will heavily rely on NYC's public transportation system and you could wind up taking at least half a dozen rides in the subway/bus on any given day. At $2.25 per ride that can become an expensive proposition. Thus, your best bet is to buy an "Unlimited" Metrocard that provides unlimited rides within on the subway and bus system of NYC (all 5 boroughs) for either 7 days ($29) or 30 days ($104). The 1-day and 14-day unlimited cards have been eliminated. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, the Unlimited ride option is one of the most cost-efficient purchases you can make. To determine if the 7-day card is a good value for you, consider this: if you pay for each ride 13 times, you have already spent more than $29.
The Metrocards are available at all times from the vending machines in most subway stations. The pay-per-ride Metrocard will give you a 7% bonus for a purchase of $10 or more (e.g., $10 gets you $10.70). When using a Metrocard (but not the white single-fare cards), you may transfer free from local bus-to-subway, subway-to-local bus or local bus-to-local bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. So, you could take the subway uptown and then hop on a bus back downtown for $2.25 if you get on the bus within 2 hours of entering the subway station.
Again, if you're going to spend a lot of time in the city and/or will be making a lot of trips, then you should buy the unlimited ride Metrocard rather than the pay-per-ride Metrocard.

===Bicycling within the city===
New York City has become more bike friendly over the last couple of years with the establishment of bike lanes on various streets and avenues in the City. If you have a bike, ask your host if there is a safe place to store it.

NYC bike trails 
http://www.nycbikemaps.com 

==Visiting New York City==
New York City isn't just Manhattan. It's worth at least a visit to each of the outer boroughs to provide yourself with a well-rounded experience. New York City is comprised of Manhattan (New York County), The Bronx (Bronx County), Queens (Queens County), Brooklyn (Kings County), and Staten Island (Richmond County).
Some highly recommended places outside Manhattan include: Astoria, Queens (take the N or W subway line from Broadway to Ditmars Bvld or the R line to Steinway) located directly across the East river from Manhattan. Astoria has many great ethnic restaurants from Eastern European and Greek to South American and Asian cuisine. The population is very diverse and mostly young. Jackson Heights, Queens (Roosevelt Ave stop on the E,F,R,V or anywhere on the 7 between about 74th Street and 90th Street) is an incredible multicultural neighborhood primarily populated by various Latino groups (bring your Spanish phrasebook!), and don't forget to stop by the Little India. Williamsburg, Brooklyn (L to Bedford Ave.) is an up-and-coming hipster neighborhood filled with many cute shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Coney Island (D,N,F,Q to the Coney Island station) is not to be missed at just about any time of year if you don't mind the long subway trip. This is such a tiny offering of the hundreds of fascinating and diverse neighborhoods to explore.
When in Manhattan, JUST WALK! You can walk for hours and hours, and almost every street is fascinating. See how places change character over a matter of blocks, how different people live next to one another, etc. This is one of the best cities for just getting lost (although that's a bit difficult given the grid).

===Museums & Attractions===
Being the big city that it is, New York City is home to many of the world's finest art museums featuring many well-known and famous paintings. Naturally (and unfortunately), you will have to pay for admission to these museums. Of course, these admissions benefit the museums and help them preserve their collections, but there is a once-weekly exception to this. On Fridays from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, one can gain free admission into the '''Museum of Modern Art''' (also known by its abbreviation, MoMA, and is commonly referred to as that) through their Target Free Friday Nights (which is sponsored by the American department store chain called Target). Outside of the museum before 4:00, a series of dividers are placed to the side of the museum to create a place for people to stand online while they wait to enter for free. Despite the 4 hour time range, one should arrive at least 45 minutes beforehand (3:15) because the line does becomes very long and full of people interested in free tickets. Tickets are given out first-come first-serve, so be sure to arrive early. Yes, the museum will be much more crowded than normally, but this is a great way to see some of the world's finest collections of modern art yet have money for dinner later on that night as well.

'''There are a number of museums in the city that are free, offer free hours, various discounts or suggested donations.'''

Many NYC locals have free passes to museums, through membership, school or work. Be sure to ask around!

[http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2009/09/museum_free_hou_1.php List of museums with free or discounted hours]

[http://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html A list of all museums in NYC]

===Mobile/cell phone information===

There are two main GSM providers in the US: AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint do not use SIM cards, so you cannot use your GSM phone with those providers. However, there are also MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that buy AT&T and T-Mobile service wholesale and sell it retail on a prepaid basis.

NOTE: not all GSM phones are compatible with US GSM service providers, but if your phone is "tri-band" or "quad-band", it should be compatible for voice and SMS services. Check with your provider to make sure. Also make sure that your phone is "unlocked" so that it can operate with SIM cards that do not belong to your provider. If your phone is locked to your carrier, it may be possible to have it unlocked for a small fee in the Chinatown area of Manhattan.

If you plan to use data on your smart phone here in the US, 3G data services in the US are often incompatible with phones not made specifically for the US. Your phone must be compatible with both frequencies of a provider to be compatible with 3G data. If it is not, you can still get data service, just at a slower speed (2G, also known as Edge).

* AT&T uses both the 800 MHz and the 1900 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network. They use the 700 MHz frequency for their LTE (4G) service.

* T-Mobile uses both the 1700 MHz and the 2100 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network, which in some cities is as fast as the 4G networks -- with the right phone.

You can input your phone model in [http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3 this website] to find out its specifications and if it supports the frequencies above, or you can input the IMEI of your phone in [http://www.imei.info/ this website] to find out the model and the frequencies. The IMEI is usually located under the battery of most mobile phones.

Here is a listing of GSM prepaid plans. Note that many of these plans include international minutes and/or SMS text messaging. Also note that in the US, the owner of the mobile phone pays for both incoming and outgoing minutes and SMS/text messages, but people do not pay more to call you on your phone or send you an SMS/text message.

* AT&T (2nd largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp

* T-Mobile (4th largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

If you walk into a T-Mobile or AT&T store and ask for a prepaid SIM and activate it in the store, they will probably charge you $5 or $6 for the SIM.

MVNOs:

* Red Pocket buys AT&T service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://goredpocket.com/plans/ here].

* H2O Wireless also buys AT&T service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=plans&category=W here].

* SimpleMobile buys T-Mobile service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://www.mysimplemobile.com/Simple-Mobile-Plan.aspx here].

A Red Pocket or SimpleMobile SIM card at a store in NYC will cost you $20 or more. You can buy an H2O Wireless SIM card at [http://www.bestbuy.com BestBuy] for $10.

You can get a SIM card from any of these providers on eBay or at their respective websites for $5 or less, plus shipping (often the seller offers free shipping to addresses in the US, and a small shipping fee outside the US). If you buy the SIM online, you can then have the seller ship it to your host or hostel and then activate it online. It is safe to purchase a SIM card on eBay, but just be careful not to purchase a used SIM (the listings clearly state when the SIM is used), and whether you buy from eBay or directly from the provider's website, purchase far enough in advance so that it is delivered before you arrive.

You can also buy an inexpensive phone once you arrive in the US with credit already on it (for example: GoPhone, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile), and you can add to that credit if you need to. Plans differ by provider, so you have to ask what the plan is before you buy the phone. Stores where you can buy such phones:
* Duane Reade (drugstore chain)
* CVS (also a drugstore chain)
* Rite Aid (yes, another drugstore chain)
* BestBuy (electronics chain)

===Internet Access===
The [http://nypl.org/hours/index.cfm?Trg=6/ NY Public Library], [http://www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/info_center.html/ Times Square Information Center], Times Square Plaza and [http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/ Apple Stores] have computers with free internet access and wifi.

Many of the parks have free wifi, including [http://www.downtownny.com/discover/wifi/ several downtown], [http://www.nycwireless.org/ Madison Square Park], [http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/wireless.html/ Union Square], and [http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/wireless.php/ Bryant Park], Starbucks and McDonalds.

===Luggage Storage===
There are no luggage lockers in New York airports or train stations. The lockers below have been posted to the NYC CS group.

[http://www.schwartztravel.com/ Schwartz Travel Services] 212-290-2626
355 W 36th St. Between 8th & 9th Ave. 2F NY NY 10018 Open: 8:30am - 8pm & 43 W 46th St. Between 5th & 6th Ave. 6F NY NY 10036. Open: 8am - 11pm
Storage Price: approximately $8 to $10 (depending on size). per 24 hours.
Monthly Rate: $3 to $5 a day, per luggage, box or locker.

More information can be found [http://www.nyc.com/visitor_guide/luggage_storage.75878/editorial_review.aspx here]

===Guides===
[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=33&msid=108047898552674067952.00047d23dc894942569d4&abauth=4abaf1f8:lFs7hSUNRGUnnfdWu50UN48SMVE A Google map made by some CSers in New York] - bars, cafes and fun places to go

[http://newyork.heyletsgo.com/ Hey LetsGo New York]- Lists fun events in New York.

[http://www.panoramicearth.com/2003/New_York/New_York New York Virtual Tour] - Loads of 360 panoramas of New York sights linked to Google maps with local and travel information.

[http://newyorkwalkabouts.blogspot.com/ New York Walkabouts] A NYC blog that's short on commentary, but big on NYC resources as well as quirky NYC history, and off-the-tourist-track info on what to do, see, eat, hear, and lots of links to helpful NYC sites. If you are interested in a '''free walking tour''' with the blog's author (me!) get in touch! http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/cookiecat/



[http://www.writingtravellers.com/tikiwiki/New_York_City] A free guide in which you can add and edit as well. If registered you can create a pdf of the guide via the build a guidebook function.

===Local suggestions===

[http://www.nikkiyeager.com/apps/blog/show/5325171-what-i-wish-i-could-tell-every-couchsurfer-about-nyc Tips from a NYC host]

==== Tourist Destinations ====
* '''Central Park''' LOVE the free tours (Wed./Sat./Sun.)(http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageNavigator/programs_walkingtours
* '''Union Square''' there always seems to be something going on, and if not, you can either shop, or just walk around or people watch.
* '''Staten Island Ferry''' cheap and fun to get out on the water (and see the Statue of Liberty).
* '''Broadway''' Hit up the TKTS booth at 46th between 8th and Broadway for day-of tickets. Line-up usually starts around 12/1 for the 3 pm sales for shows that night. You can also try the rush tickets for Rent, Avenue Q, and Wicked the day of for 25 dollar tickets.
* '''St. John the Divine''' is spectacular, one of the significant architectural spectacles in the city. Check out Sunday Mass. I'm not a believer, but it's pretty.
* '''Frick''' The MOMA and the Met are amazing (but the MOMA is $20 a pop, except Friday nights, for free) but the Frick has a lot going on. The Bellini, St. Francis in the Desert, is one of the greatest paintings you'll ever see. The Whistlers, Turners, Goyas, and all kinds of cool stuff, are just terrific. And it's not as crowded as the other two.
* '''Top of the Rock''' was magical (still amazed at quality of my pics of Empire State Building from there) as was rest of that area like the ice skating at Rockefeller

====Best NYC View====
* Take the PATH Train to '''Hoboken or Jersey City''' for a great view of the Manhattan skyline while you walk along their waterfront promenade. When you return to the WTC station, you circle through the entire pit and get a good view.
* Take the PATH out to Hoboken, and take '''NY Waterways''' back from Hoboken to Pier 11 - you circle the south end of Manhattan, get a good view of the buildings, Governor's island, and you can see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (from a distance). $5.50/person.
* Walk across the '''Brooklyn Bridge!''' Perfect views of the city, and awesome pictures. Head over to Grimaldi's for Pizza, or the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, both down by the river (under the bridge). Take the train over to Brooklyn and then walk back towards Manhattan. Much better than the other way around and having to turn around to see the skyline.

==== Shows ====
* $5 improv show in the '''UCB theater''' (26th and 8th Ave).
* Indie performance art show at '''the Kitchen''' (19th and 10th Ave)
* '''Comedy Cellar''' Pricey but have always had a great time there.
* movies at '''Angelika''' http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_index.asp?hID=1
* Free '''David Letterman''' standby tickets on taping days on West side of Broadway South of Ed Sullivan (heading down into heart of Times Square) Theatre between 12:30 (thereabouts) till about 3pm, people with green clip boards saying "Free David Letterman Tickets!" You have to answer an EASY Question for the ticket... When I went main guest was Alec Baldwin...
* '''ABC NO RIO''' has great punk matinees and art shows. The history of ABC is inspiring. Hopefully they have copies of the zine that tells the history. Maybe Blue Stockings will have it. www.abcnorio.org

==== Hangouts, Bars & Clubs ====
* '''Fat Cat!''' Just by Christopher Street station on Christopher Street. Big basement, live jazz 'til the following morning - table football, ping pong, pool, scrabble and chess. Love it.
* '''The Revival''' of course, with its floor of couches and a nice backyard ... And so many memories from thursday nights. 15th street bw Irvin Place & 3rd Ave
* '''The Crocodile Lounge''', one free full pizza for every drink ! 14th street bw 2nd & 1st Ave
* '''Hotel QT''', free indoor swimming pool/steambath. 45th street bw Broadway and 6th Ave
* '''Lit''' every tuesday night, the most horrible live music you can hear in town, and free vodka from 11 to midnight. 2nd Ave at 5th street
* '''McSoreley's Ale House''' - 7th st bet 2nd / cooper ave
* if you like '''hookah''', '''Cozy's''' on 1st ave and 1st street is wonderful.
* '''Karaoke'''- there are SO many great karaoke bars in the city. I especially like the karaoke room idea (share a room with friends) Try Sing Sing on the Lower East Side.
* '''Xunta''' (174 1st Ave, cross 11th street), Spanish tapas place with great Flamenco performers on thursdays and saturdays. Their tapas list is just mind blowing (their prices too, alas)
* '''Swift''' (308 Spring street), Irish pub with traditional irish music on tuesdays. Makes me really feel like being in Ireland :)
* ''''Slate''' - Great for pool, ping pong in a sort of clubby setting.
* '''Shade''' On the corner of W 3rd and Sullivan. Amazing wine bar, great crapes. Very small, trendy, and chill.
* '''No Malice Palace'''. E 3rd Street between Avenues A and B. A bar/lounge with a back patio and a DJ on weekends. Gets really crowded, but is really fun.
* If you're willing to venture into Queens a bit...the '''Beer Garden'''. Take the N, W to Astoria Blvd. Go E on 31st St towards 24th Rd. Turn left. You can't miss it. A great place to hang out when the weather's nice. A very mixed crowd.
* Best night out- '''Don't Tell Mama's Piano Bar'''- 343 West 46th Street. So fun! Slighty pricey drinks but the entertainment is worth it! Get there before 9 for seats for your whole group!
* '''South Street Sea Port''' is another favorite spot in NYC- there's shopping, the Bodies exhibit, you can watch the ships go by, sitting out along the East River. Great at sunset surrounded by the bridges.
* '''Kurve''' - Restaurant/bar/lounge - corner of 5th st and 2nd Ave. Open LATE. Thursday nights are free live jazz. It's a hip, modern looking place, with couches on one side of the bar and tables on the other. The bar is constantly growing, with many interesting mixed drinks. They just got a brand new set of whiskey. The food is a wonderfully unique modern Thai. The owner, Andy, is a great guy. Tell the bartender's that Al sent you.
* '''Nu Blu''' - Live Latin Jazz club - East side of Ave C between 4th St and 5th St. Music every night of the week. Always a cover, from $5 to $10. Gets a little packed on weekends. Hard to find, but always amazing music.
* '''Spike Hill''' - Live Jazz and Irish Bar - Corner of Bedford Ave and N 7th St in Wiiliamsburg - Great selection of whiskey and scotch in the irish half, great jazz in the jazz half.
* '''Tea Lounge''' at 837 Union Street in Park Slope has really good wine, coffe, cakes and other goodies. The live bands are really good (all bands are from brooklyn) and the area you sit in looks really nice. Total eye candy.
* '''The Royal''' at 506 5th Ave in Park Slope: on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each mounth has a really good dance party that is off the hook. Early in the night you have really upbeat dance music, then in the middle of the night you have some hip hop mixed with soul and some latin music. Then at the end of the night you have a live drummer and the DJ spins some really trippy beats.

====Shops====
* '''The Strand bookstore''' 18 miles of new and used books and really cheap! Corner of Broadway and 12th, near Union Square.
* '''Midtown Comics''' 200 W 40th Street (Corner of 7th Avenue)- is a great place to see alternative nyers and load up on comic books...
* '''The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company''' in Brooklyn (372 Fifth Avenye), for when you need to get your hands on a cheap supply of wonderflownium for your freeze ray. They are the exclusive dealers of Aardvark Bros. MFG Co (purveyors of Truth Serum, Invisibility Potions, and other supplies) However, you can only purchase anything as long as you swear that it will only be used for good... (all proceeds go towards 826 NYC)
* '''McNally Johnson''' (formerlly McNally Robinson) bookshop in NoLita on Mulberry and Spring Street. I buy books here all the time, even when I get a pretty decent discount at another place. The cafe is lovely and gets pastries from Bathlazar, the staff is friendly, and there's free wi-fi a with purchase. Plus there are plenty of chairs around for browsing purposes.
* '''Blue Stockings Bookstore''' puts on low cost or free cultural events. It´s locate in the Lower East Side.
* Brooklyn Based's [http://brooklynbased.net/email/bb-guide-vintage-shops/ '''Guide to Vintage Stores''']

====Free & Cheap Events====

[http://www.freenyc.net/ Free NYC]

[http://www.theskint.com/ The Skint]

[http://www.nycgo.com/free/Official NYC site of Free Activities]

[http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/nyc/ Free Tours By Foot] Like tours offered in Europe, this company offers free, tip-based New York sightseeing tours that are informative and not aimed at your typical tourist. Fun!

====Summer Events====

[http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/ River to River]

[http://www.celebratebrooklyn.org/ Celebrate Brooklyn]

[http://www.summerstage.org/ NYC Summerstage]

[http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/ Hudson River Park]

[http://www.lincolncenter.org/ Lincoln Center]

[http://www.centralpark.com/ Central Park]

[http://www.bryantpark.org/ Bryant Park]

===Food===

[http://www.theskint.com/2007/01/free-eats.html The Skint's Free Eats]

[http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2009/57877/ New York Magazine's Cheap List]

====Local suggestions====
* If you like Indian.. check out '''Panna II''' 93 1st Ave, (Btwn 5th & 6th St - upstairs on the right). The place is inexpensive, super cramped inside and the decor is not to be missed. It's BYO, they do have soda if you bring liquor and glasses if you bring wine or beer.
* best buffalo wings in NYC: '''down the hatch''' in the west village (5 min. walk from the W4th subway station). good cider beer too.
* '''Dokebi''' Korean BBQ
* '''Otafuku''' try the octopus balls (takoyaki) 9th st bet 3rd/2nd ave
* '''Decibel sake bar''' (basement) - 9th st bet 3rd/2nd ave
* '''Congee Village''' (for congee) on Allen, Cong Ly for Pho on Hester
* that arepa place on 7th, a mexican diner called '''Grand Morelos''' (24 hours!) on Grand & Graham in Brooklyn
* '''Reben Luncheonette''' / Delicious Ice Cold for bacon egg & cheese & morir sonando on haevemeyer in BK
* '''Effy's Cafe''' Upper East Side (91st and 3rd) for Mediterranean/Israeli food
* '''Mamoons''' Awesome shwarmas, lines out the door whenever you go. around Bleeker and McDougal
* '''Cafe Dante''' Awesome Cafe Mocha and delicious tiramisu. Cant vouch for anything else. around Bleeker and McDougal
* '''XUNTA''' Some of the best tapas I've had outside of barcelona. Delis sangria & the live flamenco is a treat. The space is casual - the people who work there are very sweet. And it wont break your bank.
* '''S'mac''' just past the Revival....Only macaroni and cheese, and every possible combination you can imagine...pretty inexpensive too!
* '''Criff Dogs''' on St. Marks between 1st Ave and Ave A, with a huge sausage hanging above the door with the words 'Eat me' 15 different kinds of hot dogs, good price... And a hidden bar inside :)
* '''Ali Baba''' 212 E 34th, btw 3rd and 2nd Ave
* '''Turkish Kitchen''' 386 3rd Ave, corner 28th
* '''Sahara''' 513 2nd Ave, corner 29th
* '''Cafe Lalo''' 201 W 83rd St
* '''Little Senegal''' (Le Petit Sénégal) for various west african dishes and hair braids :) This in Harlem - neighborhood's main streets are the blocks surrounding W. 116th Street between St. Nicholas Avenue on the east and Morningside Park to the west.
* '''Ashiya''' 167 1st Avenue Between 10th and 11th Streets. 30 bucks for all you can eat sushi, which includes special rolls and all you can drink cold/hot saki, wine and beer.
* '''Moto''' just off of the Hewes street stop on the JaMeZ, southside, look for a bicycle, which ought to be famous for its charm, tomato soup and date cake. Often has live music during the evenings.
* '''Sea restaurant''' 114 N 6th St, Brooklyn. It's a Thai food restaurant and they serve the best mojitos I've had in my life!
* '''Jackson Diner''' - Indian Food - excellent food and best Indian deal I know in the city is their weekend all you can eat buffet. It used to be $7, but I think it's up to $10 now. It's out in Jackson Heights, which is a bit out in Queens, but of course you'll be heading out to Shea Stadium, to pay your respects, anyway, right? It's right off the 7 train.
* Also, right next to Jackson Diner (literally the next restaurant over) is a Southern Indian place, for you veggie eaters out there. It's exceptional. [Note: As for good neighborhoods to go to, Queens is the most diverse county in America and worth significant investigation.]
* '''Pong Sri''' - my favorite Thai in the city, on the same block as the Baxter Nha Trang
* '''Joe's Shanghi''' - Chinese - Chinatown - sadly, the soup dumplings (their specialty) from yesterday were disappointing (first time I'd gone since getting back in the city) and I worry that an era has passed. But typically their soup dumplings are amazing, and I dislike dumplings.
* '''La Mela''' - one of last great places in Little Italy (if not the last) - make sure to include the 5th course (dessert) so you can have their frozen zabaglione
* '''Zabar's''' - right across the street from H&H, so you get your bagels there and then go to Zabar's to get stuff to put on them.
* '''Kozar's Bialys''' - the best Bialys in the city, they sell them to places (Zabar's has them packaged) but if you go down there, they pump em out 24/7 so they always have hot/fresh ones ready to go. Get it from the source.
* '''Meskerem''' - best Ethiopian in the city and one of my favorite restaraunts in the city. I suggest the Meskerem Special or the Veggetarian Special - two locations, 47th between 9th and 10th and two blocks down from Wash Sq Park
* '''Jr.'s''' - excellent Cheesecake, Brooklyn
* '''Big Nicks''' - my favorite diner in the city. Just remember, the place looks...not amazing, but they have a 24 page menue with tiny writing, and there's a lot of terrific stuff. Excellent burgers, and I love the tuna melts myself.
* '''Rice''' every kind of rice dish from many different countries that you could think of. It's dim, creative, and flavorful. Try the coconut curry over black rice with edamame. :) Several locations-my favorite is in Murray Hill.
* '''The Barking Dog Luncheonette'''- also a few locations in New York, but has hearty, big portions of good American food. Burgers, pot roast, pork chops!
* '''Liquiteria''' - Smoothies - Corner of 11th St and 2nd Ave. The healthiest and tastiest smoothies, juices, and elixirs around. Definitely stop here for a pick me up before you get some coffee.
* '''Spina''' - Italian Restaurant - Corner of 11th St and Ave B. They make their pasta noodles in the dining room fresh while you eat. The wine selection is phenomenal and the sommelier is wonderful (he's also the owner). Just ask him for a wine recommendation based on your dinner and tastes. Again, mention to Rob, Salvatore, or Jenny that Al sent you.
* '''Fu Sushi''' - Sushi - Avenue B between 11th st and 12st - Fu is a wonderful place for sushi. The chefs are detail oriented and creative. The fridge is small so they can't keep a lot of fish on the premises, so what they have is always fresh. It's a cut above any of the sushi places in the whole neighborhood.

=====Cheap Food=====
* Korean bbq and soju shots in K-town (32nd and 6th Ave).
* Bubble tea and hand-pulled noodles in a Chinatown closet sized restaurant
* Taim Falafel (meaning "tasty" in hebrew), ridiculously yummy. Its in the West Village.
* Esperanto, for a sunday brunch. Great live bossa nova music while you eat cheap & good food. Ave C at 9th street.
* Don't forget St. Marks Pl for great japanese food! Kenka or Oh Taisho! yakitori
* Blockheads- Several locations, but my favorite nights out are at 34th and 2nd Ave. Great burritos and CHEAP margaritas in all different flavors.
* Cooper 35/Asian Pub- love this place for the cheap mixed drinks, fun, college-y atmosphere, and the outside patio in the warmer weather. Try the Lychetini!
* Kathi Roll - Indian snacks, especially great after a night on the town and cheap. $4.50 a roll. around Bleeker and McDougal
* local flavor burritos at 114th and broadway are CHEAP and employ homeless shelter folks (open tues/thrus lunch)
* Nha Trang - Vietnamese - single best lunch deal in NYC. A bowl of excellent Pho Thai is $4.75. Most of the other stuff is very good too. They have two locations, one on Baxter and one on Centre, same quality. I prefer the Baxter, but the other is just as good.
* Tasty Dumpling in Chinatown http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/42260266/new_york_ny/tasty_dumpling.html
* Mamoun's Falafal - just south of Wash. Sq. Park - cheap, delicious, 24 hours
* Snack Dragon - Taco shack - 3rd St between Avenue A and Avenue B (closer to B) Open LATE. Great tacos. Fish, steak, pork, quinoa. Try the Nacharito / Johnny Boy. It's cheap, it's good, it's drunk food.

=====Vegetarian & Vegan=====
Most places in NYC offer vegetarian options, and vegan options are pretty easy to find, too. Here are some of our favorites.
* vegetarian house of dimsum on pell street
* stricty roots on 123rd has simple vegan carribian/soul food
* Kate's Joint - Vegetarian Restaurant/Bar - Corner of 4th and Ave B. Wonderful place to get vegetarian like no other. It's an unabashed reconstruction of meat foods with only vegetarian and vegan ingredients. Shepherd's Pie, buffalo wings, chimichangas, steak, "chicken" francese, not-meat loaf. It sticks to your ribs without sticking to your conscience.

=====Pizza=====
* cafe viva on 96th has HUGE slices of yummy organic piza
* Lombardi's pizzeria AND John's Pizza on Bleeker
* Grimaldi's - Best gourmet pizza in NYC, right by the Brooklyn Bridge, a lovely place for a diner on a warm winter night, so you can walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge afterwards.
* Sal & Carmine's - 102nd Broadway - Pizza - best traditional greasy NYC slice. Don't get toppings, which ain't all that. Just get a plain slice and a Sacilian slice.
* Patsy's Pizza- BEST pizza place! There are many locations in New York City, I think the location in East Harlem is the best, but the Union Square location is a close second.

=====Bagels=====
* '''Bagle Express''' 93rd and 2nd Ave. Delicious, delicious, delicious. Love bagles? Love cream cheese? Yummy!!!
* '''H&H Bagels''' of course

=====Delis=====
* 2nd Ave Deli
* Katz's Deli
* Canrnegie Deli - these delis are listed in order of preference, with the caveat, 2nd Ave closed down for over a year and then re-opened with a new lease in a new location, and some folks say it isn't as good. I probably still prefer the hot pastrami sandwich at Katz's, but otherwise 2nd is superior.

=====Dessert=====
* Cupcakes! Billy's Bakery on 9th Ave and 21st or Buttercup Bakery
* the city bakery on 18th & 5th is a great local spot for hot chocolate and cookies
* Hungarian pastry on 113th and Manhattan Avenue I believe that's really amazing.
* Cones in The Village for the best ice cream in the city. http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11512502/new_york_ny/cones.html
* Beard Papa's for the best cream puff and export the Japanese brought to NYC - 2167 Broadway (believe it's somewhere between 72nd and 83rd)
* Rice To Riches (rice pudding)
* best carrot cake in the world is at a little place called LLoyd's. 6087 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10471
* Viniero's - best Italian pastry shop in the city.
* Hungarian Pastry Shop - 113th, Columbia neighborhood, nice little place to get work done. They just expanded too, so maybe it won't be so damn crowded. It's a good place to meet up, when it's cold outside, nice and toasty inside.
* Sicilian pastry shop on 1st Ave @ 11th street called De Robertis Pasticceria. Still family run and much better than Veniero's.
* Chikalicious- Dessert Bar on the lower east side- so tasty, so tiny, so fun! 203 E 10th St

====Dumpster Diving====
In Manhattan you can do some great dumpster diving. One spot for that is at the Food Emporium of 83rd Street and 3rd Ave. You might be able to organize a big feast there. But be careful: dumpster diving was criminalized under the so-called quality of life initiatives.

[http://freegan.info/?page_id=2 Freegan.info: Events & Resources]

[http://gridskipper.com/61214/manhattan-dumpster-diving Dumpster Map]

=== Local links ===
[[:csgroup:2372|CS group]] - [[:wikipedia:New York|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:New York|Wikitravel]]

==Medical Information==

===Hospitals===
[http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/facilities/map.shtml Map with a list of all NYC hospitals.]

===LifeNet Crisis Helpline===
*English: 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638)
*Spanish: 1-877-AYUDESE (1-877-298-3373)
*Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean dialects: 1-877-990-8585
*All other languages: 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638)

===National Suicide Prevention Lifeline===
Call the [http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline] at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.
* Spanish: 1-888-628-9454
* For Hearing and Speech Impaired with TTY Equipment: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

===Substance Abuse Hotline===
For information on substance abuse treatment, call 1-800-662-HELP.

===Poison Hotline===
National Poison Hotline
1-800-222-1222

===Walk-In Clinics===
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=walk+in+clinic&ns=1&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY

===Couchsurfing Doctors===
Are you a doctor and a member of CS who is interested in helping travelers? Add a link to your profile here.

===Free Medical Services===

====NYC Dept of Health====
STD testing and emergency contractraception.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/std2.shtml

====Women's Health Free Clinic====
STD testing & treatment, emergency contraceptive, gyn exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, medical abortions. [http://nycfreeclinic.med.nyu.edu/womens-health-free-clinic]

====New York City Free Clinic====
primary care, women & men's health, vaccinations, STD testing & treatment, lab work, radiology
[http://nycfreeclinic.med.nyu.edu/information-for-patients/health-services]

====NYC Condoms====
Available at bars, colleges, restaurants, medical centers, etc.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/condoms/condoms.shtml

===Sexual Assault===

====RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline====
Anonymous, confidential counseling from trained volunteers.
http://apps.rainn.org/ohl-bridge/
1-800-656-HOPE

====If You Have Been Raped in the Past 96 Hours Emergency Guide====
List of hospitals with special training for survivors of sexual assault.
http://www.nycagainstrape.org/survivors_emergency.html

====Emergency Contraception for Rape Survivors====
Information on where to get emergency contraception in several languages.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/women/emergency_contr.htm
1-800-522-5006

====NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault====
Legal resources, survivor resources, how to press charges, what to do if you do not want to press
charges, fact sheets.
http://www.nycagainstrape.org/survivors.html

====RAINN Resources====
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information Information on Sexual Assault]
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention Ways to Reduce your Risk of Sexual Assault]
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information/legal-information Reporting the Crime to the Police]

====NYC Crime Victims Board====
Assistance and compensation for crime victims.
http://www.cvb.state.ny.us/helpforcrimevictims/helpforcrimevictims.aspx
1-800-247-8035

==Legal Resources for Travelers==

===Visa Information===
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

===Consulates in New York City===
http://gonyc.about.com/od/foreignvisitorstonyc/a/foreign_consula.htm

===Travelers Aid===
JFK International Airport, Terminal 6, Jamaica, NY 11430
http://www.travelersaid.org/ta/jfk.html
(718) 656-4870

===Fraud Prevention===
(Guidance note: This may not be available/applicable for all cities/CS localities, but something to consider. It may require further investigation to dig up any information. If you can find any for your area or even a generic national helpline for your country, then this is the place to list it.)

===Immigration Advisory Services===
'''CUNY Citizenship Now!''' provides free, high quality, and confidential citizenship and immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. For free immigration assistance, see the website at [http://cuny.edu/about/resources/citizenship/about-us/contact.html] or call their Manhattan office (212) 650-6620.

===Legal Advice===

Hopefully one should never need it, but there are resources in NYC for free legal consultation, at least at initial stages.

====New York City Bar====
Law clinic and legal hotline.
http://www.nycbar.org/LRS/ActivitiesandServices.htm

====List of free legal aid organizations in New York State====
http://www.usattorneylegalservices.com/free-legal-aid-new-york.html

===CouchSurfing Lawyers===
Are you a lawyer and a CSer interested in assisting travelers? Add a link to your profile here.

==Your Local CS Ambassadors==

===Manhattan===
* Anthony, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/ajcut7/
* Barak, New York City Ambassador: http://www.myspace.com/zionist
* Chi Chi, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/profile.html?id=2IG3VP0
* Juan, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/the_juanderer/
* Katemari, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/katemari/
* Krista, Traveling Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/kristasande/
* Michael, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/modirsaghir/
* Nicky, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/nicky.pallas
* Seth, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/sethnick99/

===Brooklyn===
* Cori, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/sheepdontswim/
* Joe, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/joe%20che
* Kym, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/thejazzgurl/
* Courtney, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/cookiecat/

===Queens===
* Cris, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/grasshoper/
* JC, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/jtothec/
* Mabel, Woodside City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/koala75/
* Nelson, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/hacn/

===Nomadic===
* George: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/gc21/
* Krista: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/kristasande/
* Taly and Zohar: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/zoharandtaly/
* Timmy: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/timmy_tofu/
* Timothy: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/tadhg1979/

===US Ambassadors===
* http://www.couchwiki.org/en/United_States_Ambassadors

User:The juanderer

2013-01-05T08:17:07Z

The juanderer: Created page with "I am the_juanderer, also known as Juan Ito. My Couchsurfing profile page is at http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/the_juanderer. Is there something else I should write here? :)"

I am the_juanderer, also known as Juan Ito. My Couchsurfing profile page is at http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/the_juanderer.

Is there something else I should write here? :)

Salamanca

2012-12-28T18:22:43Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Salamanca

{{City
|name =Salamanca
|country =Spain
|region =Europe
|group =5103
|wikipedia =Salamanca
|wikitravel =Salamanca
|image =Salamanca.jpg‎
|imagetext =
|ambassadors =[http://www.couchsurfing.org/profile.html?id=908R47P Ana Claudia]
}}

The goal of this Wikipage is to show useful and helpful info about Salamanca and CS Salamanca. If you have any doubts do not hesitate and ask in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=5103 CS Salamanca Group]

== '''CS Salamanca''' ==

This group is for the Couchsurfers living in and visiting Salamanca or anybody interested in this beautiful city.

===Meetings===

We do not have a regular meeting yet, but we are continuosly organizing meetings of all kind: dinners, barbeques, picnics, tapas tours, pub-crawls, theme parties, travels, excursions to nearby cities or nice places, sports activities and so on, so just check the main group, each week we do something different,and feel always free to join our meetings!

We encourage everybody to propose new ideas for meetings and to organize them as well.

===Sub-groups===

There is a sub-group specially focus on Accomodation and Last Minute Couch requests: [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=21723 Salamanca (LAST MINUTE COUCH/ROOMMATES/RENT A ROOM)]

This is the place to post a Last Minute Couch request, ask for info about flats, find a room or a housemate.

===Moderators===

If you have any concern about the group and the use of it, please contact with one of the moderators on the next list:
[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/kurro/ Kurro]
[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/rodperdigao/ Rodrigo]
[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/iloveaninha/ Ana Claudia]
[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/saezm/ Saúl]
[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/alfonsoespepo/ Alfonso]

===Ambassadors===

Our city ambassador is:[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/iloveaninha/ Ana Claudia]

=='''Getting to Salamanca''' ==

===Nearby Airports ===
Salamanca has no international airport, but they have a daily flights from Barcelona and Malaga with [http://www.lagunair.com Lagun air].
* [http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?SiteName=MAD&c=Page&cid=1049727006353&pagename=Aeropuerto_MAD Madrid Barajas] + - 210 km from Salamcanca. Buses run frequently.
* [http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Valladolid/es/ Aena Aeropuerto in Valladolid] + - 110 km from Salamanca. The bus drive is 1.5 hour.
: [http://ryanair.com Ryan Air] flies to Valladolid from Brussels, Milan and London's Stansted airport. Besides you can find cheap flights to other destinations in Spain.

===By Bus===
The bus station is only a 15 walk from Plaza Mayor in the center. See the map with the direction [http://maps.google.es/maps?saddr=Avenida+de+Filiberto+Villalobos,+71+-+85,+37007+Salamanca&daddr=PLAZA+MAYOR,+Salamanca&hl=es&sll=40.967472,-5.669653&sspn=0.009365,0.01929&geocode=FbAocQIdgGip_yl9FR3VOiY_DTEmUu7Hq-cdgQ%3BFTkRcQId1Y-p_yEkA2QxbpdLhCnhPwO6FSY_DTFcMqNHc0nRiw&vpsrc=0&dirflg=w&mra=ls&t=m&z=16 here]

* [http://www.avanzabus.com/web/ Avanza bus]. From Madrid (They also run a direct line from the airport to Salamanca)
* [http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa/ Alsa]
*[http://www.movelia.es Bus Booking]. Easy way to book your bus whichever the bus company might be.

===By Train ===
Tains link the town with Madrid and [[Portugal]]
*[http://www.renfe.es/ National Trains (Renfe)]
: All the discounts [http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/tarifas/index.html here]

===Share a car ===
Web sites for people who wants to share the expenses for travelling by car.

* http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/index.jsp

* From France: http://www.123envoiture.com/

== '''What to visit?''' ==

=== '''Museums''' ===

* '''Museo de Salamanca / Museo de Bellas Artes''': Art museum with a room devoted to Flemish, Dutch and French painting. Furthermore it contains a collection of precious-metal work and samples of provincial archaeology and local popular art.
Entry is free Saturday and Sunday for all people and 1,20 Euroes the other days. Students with card, children, pensioners and groups less than 10 (under request), have free entry. Adress: CASA DE LOS DOCTORES DE LA REINA. PATIO DE LAS ESCUELAS MENORES, 2

=== Sights ===

* These are the most popular local landmarks, but there are way more things to visit, check [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamanca Wikipedia Salamanca]
<gallery>
File:Plaza Mayor.jpg|Plaza Mayor
File:Catedral_Nueva.jpg|Catedral Nueva
File:Casa_de_las_Conchas.jpg‎ |Casa de las Conchas
File:Clerecía-Casa_de_las_Conchas.jpg‎ |Clerecía & Casa de las Conchas
File:University_of_Salamanca.jpg |Universidad de Salamanca
File:San_Esteban.jpg‎ |San Esteban
File:Puente_Romano.jpg‎ ‎ |Puente Romano
File:Palacio_de_Anaya.jpg‎ ‎ |Palacio de Anaya
</gallery>

*'''[http://www.salamanca.es/infodeutilidad/oficinaturismo.aspx?sid=en-GB&id=2 Tourist office]''':
- Plaza Mayor, 32 Tel.: 923 21 83 42/ 902 30 20 02 /E-mail: información@turismodesalamanca.com
Monday to Friday: 09:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00.
Saturday: 10:00-20:00
Sunday: 10:00-14:00

- Rúa Mayor, s/n
902 20 30 30 / 923 26 85 71
oficinadeturismodesalamanca@jcyl.es

- [http://www.salamanca.es/planociudad/plano.htm?sid=es-ES&id=1 Tourist map]

== '''Tapas-bars, Restaurants, Cafés''' ==

=== '''Cafés''' ===

* '''Birland''' [http://g.co/maps/tuzs5 See map]

* '''Clavel 8''': A nice cousy places with sofas... [http://g.co/maps/mmasd See map]

* '''Café Alcaravan''': Nice and quiet place for reading ect. [http://g.co/maps/qrw3g See map]

* '''Café Novelty'''[http://www.cafenovelty.com/]: This café has a long story behind it as it was meeting point of writers and intelectuals of last the century [http://g.co/maps/z5wu6 See map]

* '''Mandala''': Beautiful moroccan style. C/ Serranos, 9

* '''Delicatessen''': Lounch like and cool. C/ Meléndez, 25

* '''Revolutum Hostel'''[http://www.revolutumhostel.com/]: Has couches and armchairs and a beautiful inside terrace with heating. C/ Sánchez Barbero, 7

* '''The café at Casa Lis Museum''': A very beautiful and quiet place, with a summer terrace that has the best with view over the river and it is a very good place the see the sunset. It's not necessary to pay the ticket for the museum, just say that you want to go to the coffee place and they will accompany you. C/Gibraltar, 14

== '''Nightlife''' ==

===Pub-Crawling===

Most of the bars and pubs for Pub-crawling are around Plaza Mayor, the main areas are Prior-Bordadores, Varillas-San Justo and Gran Vía.

*'''Paniagua''': Probably one of the most popular and legendary bars in Salamanca. Despite of its "decoration" it's one of the most crowded places, full of both local and international people. The normal drink here is a big plastic cup normally called Litro (almost a litre) of beer/ calimotxo (3,80 €) or mixed drinks. Upstairs there is a table-football (kicker, futbolín) and two rooms. If you go to "Pani" you will probably find a brunch of couchsurfers partying there, usually from 2am-4am. Music is normally rock in English .PS1: Be careful with the stairs.PS2: Toilets are....,let's say, not really clean ;)c/Varillas

===Clubs, Discos===

*'''Cum Laude''':It's a club a bit bigger than many of the other bars where you are crammed in with little ventilation and it has one of the most aesthetically pleasing dance floors of Salamanca. You night want to dress a little better to get in here on the weekends! now they have open-bar of mojitos, beer and sangria every Tuesday night.
*'''Music Factory''':Right next to the Chupiteria, house, pop music.Sometimes there will be 'celebrities' visiting. normally with entrance fee around 3 euros.
*'''The Irish Rover''':It is especially fond with the international students. open-bar of beer and sangria every Tuesday night. different theme parties every week.
*'''Posada De Las Almas''':Every day there is something special. on Thursday and Friday more. It is furnished as a dolls house. Camareros normally are good-looking and friendly. :P
*'''Potemkin''': 50's, 60's, 70's, rock&roll, rythm&blues, swing, funk, soul. Nice ambient, good-vibes perfect to dance no-mainstream music while enjoying the last (or lasts) drinks. People usually go to "Potem" when the pubs/bars close, that means from 4:30am until 6:30am. Beer 3€, mixed drinks around 6 €. On weekends normally there are gigs (rock, punk, hip-hop). It closes from the beginning of July until the end of August.http://www.salapotemkim.com/

==== Places to dance salsa====
* '''El Savor''' C/ San Justo
* '''El Tropico''' C/ Gran Vía, very close to El Savor

====Gay Salamanca====

*'''CarMen''':Great music and ample dance space are two of the high points of this bar, which boasts a slightly older crowd.c/ Patio de Comedia, 2
*'''De Laval Genovés''':Known as El Submarino (the Submarine) for its nautical decor and interior resembling a gutted out submarine, De Laval Genovés is not an exclusively gay and lesbian bar but is none the less a favorite of the community.c/ San Justo, 27
*'''Sol Café''':Its highly original atmosphere provided by varied music, a dance floor with a giant illuminated globe, drag shows and other performances.c/ Pozo Amarillo, 28
*'''Sarao''':One of the most popular bars for Salamanca's gay community boasting great music.Avda. de Alemania

== '''Where to stay?''' ==

===Hostels ===

*'''Hostel Revolutum''': - probably the nicest hostel in Salamanca despite is not the cheapest, very well located http://www.revolutumhostel.com/?lang=en
*'''Hostal Plaza Mayor''': http://www.hostalplazamayor.es/
*'''Hostal Las Vegas''': http://www.lasvegascentro.net/
*'''Pension Salamanca''':- if you are looking for a cheap place and you don't plan to spend much time in the room, this is the place http://www.pensionsalamanca.com/

===Cheap Hotels===

*'''Hotel Emperatriz I, II'''- very central, cheap double rooms http://www.emperatrizhotel.com/

===Apartments===

*'''Apartamentos JCH Congresos'''- http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/edificio-congreso.en.html
*'''Apartamentos Plaza de la Libertad'''-http://www.apartamentosplazadelalibertad.es/

===Long-term accommodation===

* Check the University accommodation office: [http://websou.usal.es/vivienda/presenta.asp]
* [http://www.easypiso.com/ Easypiso]

== '''About Salamanca''' ==

===Local festivities===

* '''Fiestas de la Virgen de la Vega''': 8th-15th of September. Is the main festivity in Salamanca. Many activities and events are carried out during it. Each night (or almost) there is a concert or gig for free in Plaza Mayor. During this week and even longer there is the "Feria del día" where many bars and restaurants place a stand "caseta" on the street offering a tapa plus drink from 1,50€ (the cheapest).
*'''Fiesta de San Juan de Sahagún''': 12th of June. Around this date there is a festival in Salamanca called [http://www.facyl-festival.com/ International Arts Festival of Castilla y Leon] with music, street art, perfomances and so on.
*'''Lunes de Aguas''': Each year, the first Monday after Easter Monday, it is tradition to go to the countryside or parks and have lunch or "merienda" with your family and friends. The typical food for this day is Hornazo. You can read about the nice origin of this tradition [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunes_de_aguas here] (in Spanish)

===Typical gastronomy ===

<gallery>
File:Hornazo.jpg|Hornazo de Salamanca
File:Chanfaina.jpg‎|Chanfaina
File:Farinato_with_fried_eggs.jpg |Farinato with fried eggs

File:Patatas_Meneas.jpg‎ |Patatas Meneas
File:Jamon_Ibérico.jpg‎ |Jamon Ibérico
File:Surtido_de_ibéricos.jpg‎ |Surtido de ibéricos
</gallery>

=== Traditions & Legends===

== '''Learning Spanish''' ==

===Language Schools in Salamanca ===

There is a lot of language schools in Salamanca as the city is a popular place for learning spanish in Spain
(feel free to add commands about good or bad experiences).

* '''University of Salamanca''': http://www.salamanca-university.org/

* '''Enforex''': http://www.enforex.com/spain-salamanca.html

* '''Don Quijote''': https://secure.donquijote.org/landing/learnspanish/salamanca.asp

* '''Tia Tula''': http://www.tiatula.com/

And a lot more.....

===Helpful links===

* A general site for comparing prices and read comments about the language schools: http://www.languagecourse.net/

* A language exchange network: http://www.sharedtalk.com/

* A free educational website for language exchanges via Skype: http://www.language-exchanges.org/

* Podcasts, vocabulary and exercises for free: http://www.audiria.com

* Free Spanish audio and video divided into levels: http://www.notesinspanish.com/

== '''A day-trip around Salamanca''' ==

* '''Vale de Jerte, Garganta del Infierno, Los Pilones''':

== '''Cultural Life''' ==

=== Museums===

CASA LIS Modernist building, Art Nouveau- Art Decó collection.
http://www.museocasalis.org/
C/ gibraltar, 14 (going down Tentenecio street from the cathedral and then the small street on the left)

Winter, 4 oct-31 march
Tuesday-Friday 11-14h. 16-19h.
Sat-sunday: 11-20h.

Summer, 1april-3 october
Tues-friday: 11-14h. 17-21h.
Sat-sunday: 11-21h.

Prices: 4€, students and +65 2€, unemployed 1€, under 14years old free, groups (minimum 10 people) 2€/p, thursdays morning free.

Modernist building, Art Nouveau- Art Decó collection.
You will find Chryselephantine sculptures, vases, lamps, perfume bottles from Lallique and his co-workers.
Also decoration items,jewels, furniture and toys from the beginning of the XXth century
Beautiful place, even only the building worths the visit, also nice cafe-terrace to enjoy the view and have a rest.

Da2 contemporary art museum
http://www.ciudaddecultura.org/da2/

Avenida de la Aldehuela s/n
Bus 8 or 13 take you near the museum

Tuesday-friday: 12-14h. 17-20h.
Sat-sunday: 12-15h. 17-21h.

Free entrance.

All the contemporary art you can find in Salamanca. The building is the old prison of Salamanca,restored and converted into a museum.
They have a restaurant with a summer terrace: MOMO Da2.

Other small exhibition halls:
SAN ELOY
Plaza San Boal (near calle Zamora)

PATIO DE ESCUELAS MENORES
Calle Libreros
There you can find Museo de Bellas Artes,already mentioned but inside the patio there is a small hall with temporary exhibitions and the very famous "Cielo de Salamanca" a painting in the ceiling representing the sky seen from our city, XV century.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES INFO
http://www.salamancaciudaddecultura.org/
http://www.dipsanet.es/cultura/agenda/
http://www.verquehacer.com/

=== Live Music===

* '''El Corrillo''': This restaurant-bar located very central is one of the fewest jazz venues in Salamanca http://cafecorrillo.com/musica-en-vivo.php

== '''SOS in Salamanca''' ==

* '''Emergency number''': 112
* '''Local Police''': Policía Local de Salamanca, Tlf: 923 19 44 40,Avda. de la Aldehuela, 43-63,37003 Salamanca
* '''Fireman''':923 23 23 36
* '''Red Cross''':923 30 07 11
* More [http://www.belt.es/articulos/telefonos_emergencia/telefono.asp?id=9&name=26 useful numbers]

== '''Sports in Salamanca''' ==

===Gyms===

Alicante/es

2012-12-28T18:20:16Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Alicante/es

[[category:Español]]
{{City
|name =Alicante
|country =Spain
|region =Comunidad_Valenciana
|nickname =
|group =
|wikipedia =Alicante
|wikitravel =Alicante
|image =Placadelsol.jpg
|imagetext =
|ambassadors=[[:cs:people/ekubo|Holger Michel]] 
}}
{{inEnglish|Alicante}}
== Información sobre la ciudad ==

=== Algo de historia ===
Alicante es una ciudad mediterránea con una historia de casi 3000 años y una población estimada de 310.000 habitantes. Bañada la mayor parte del año por el sol, es una ciudad versada en el turismo que recibe miles de visitantes por año.

El origen exacto de la ciudad se remota al periodo íbero, llegando a tener varios nombres a lo largo de su historia:
* Fenicios: Akra Leuka
* Romanos: Lucentum
* Arabes: Alicante

Para saber más sobre la ciudad de Alicante, puedes consultar este artículo en la Wikipedia: 
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alicante

También puedes visitar la web del Ayuntamiento: 
http://www.alicante-ayto.es/

Si quieres ver unas cuentas webcams en directo, visita: 
http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcamcostablanca-alicante1.htm?id_camara=16

== CouchSurfing en Alicante ==

=== Miembros CS ===
Alicante cuenta con un grupo de CouchSurfers activo, que recibe a muchos viajeros de todo el mundo y organiza actividades de forma regular.

=== Grupos CS Alicante ===
En Alicante tenemos 2 grupos: 
Alacant - Alicante: 
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=6753 
Puedes darte de alta en este grupo para estar informado de todas nuestras actividades en Alicante. Participa con tus propias sugerencias!

Alicante - Couch Requests: 
Este grupo está pensado para aquellos surfers que ofrece un couch y que quieren estar al tanto de aquellas peticiones de última hora que puedan surgir. 
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=6937

=== Agenda ===
Mantenemos una agenda con las actividades que vamos organizando. Puedes consultarla en:
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=cs.es.alicante%40gmail.com"><img src="http://www.google.com/calendar/images/ext/gc_button1_es.gif" border=0></a>

=== Zona CS ===
La Zonas CS son puntos de encuentro de miembros CS. Es un proyecto bastante reciente en el que Alicante, junto a otras ciudades, actúa como prueba piloto. 
La Zona CS que se va a probar es el Pub Desdén en el Barrio. 
En breve tiempo se pondrá en marcha y se dará toda la información necesaria.

=== Solicitar un couch ===
Si estás buscando un sitio donde quedarte durante tu estancia en Alicante puedes mandar mensajes individuales a cada miembro local o bien puedes registrarte en nuestro grupo de solicitudes de couch: 
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=6937
 
Consejos para solicitar un couch: 
http://www.couchsurfing.com/wiki/How_to_write_a_CouchRequest

=== Servicios para Surfers ===
Para todos los surfers que visiten Alicante aqui se exponen una serie de servicios que facilitarán tu estancia. 
Este mapa muestra todos los servicios que mencionamos aqui: 
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=es&msa=0&msid=109618488874789487419.00043d2cc3b0ad2fad2e6&ll=38.348455,-0.490351&spn=0.027935,0.05785&z=14

==== Zonas WiFi ====
Si llevas tu portátil contigo y necesitas poder conectarte, prueba en los siguientes lugares:

*Pub Desdén
*Pub Jendrix

==== Lavanderías ====

Albergue Juvenil La Florida 
Avenida Orihuela, 59
03007 Alicante 
Telefono 965 282 754 
Por 1,8 euros se puede lavar la ropa. Incluye secadora.

==== Servicios telefónicos ====
Bajo estudio.

== Moverse en la ciudad ==

=== A pie ===
Alicante es realmente una ciudad no demasiado grande, en la que moverse a pie es casi la mejor opción.
Prácticamente todos los puntos de interés para un viajero se pueden alcanzar andando.

=== En bicicleta ===
La ciudad no está realmente preparada para el ciclista. No existen carriles bici excepto en contadas zonas en la periferia. Tampoco existen aparcamientos específicos para bicicletas.

=== En moto ===
Moverse en moto es muy sencillo y práctico. Se evitan la mayoría de atascos y existen multitud de zonas de aparcamiento específicas para las motos.

=== En coche ===
Moverse en coche es posible pero se convierte fácilmente en un pequeño suplicio. Los parkings suelen tener plazas disponibles entre semana.

=== En autobús ===
La red de autobuses de Alicante cubre prácticamente todo el área de Alicante, existiendo líneas que te llevan a poblaciones colindantes como San Juan playa o San Vicente.

Las formas de pago son efectivo y la tarjeta Móbilis. Los autobuses pueden no aceptar cambio de billetes de más de 10 euros.

Más información sobre la tarjeta Móbilis:
http://www.alicante-ayto.es/redir.php?apartado=trafico&pagina=tam.html

La empresa encargada de gestionar los autobuses se llama SuBUS. Puedes consultar su web para toda información relativa a sus líneas:
www.subus.es

=== En TRAM ===
Desde 2003 Alicante está dotada de un sistema de tranvía/metro que conecta la ciudad con la periferia.

La web oficial es
http://www.fgvalicante.com/tram/html/home/home.asp

Puedes consultar también su artículo en la Wikipedia:
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRAM_Metropolitano_de_Alicante

Formas de pago:
Los billetes, cuya cuantía depende del tramo a recorrer, se aquieren pagando en efectivo en las taquillas de cada estación o bien usando la tarjeta Móbilis.

Más información sobre la tarjeta Móbilis:
http://www.alicante-ayto.es/redir.php?apartado=trafico&pagina=tam.html

=== En taxi ===
El uso del taxi puede ser una solución en algunos casos, si bien tiene un precio que no todos los bolsillos pueden permitirse.

La flota de taxis no es demasiado amplia y en ciertos franjas horarias como un sábado noche pueden no parar para recoger clientes en medio de la calle si están cerca de una parada de taxis.

Para más información, visitar:
http://www.alicante-ayto.es/redir.php?apartado=trafico&pagina=taxi.html&titulo=Taxis%20-%20Tr%E1fico%20y%20Transportes%20/%20Ayuntamiento%20de%20Alicante

== Cómo llegar a Alicante ==
=== En avión===
El aeropuerto de Alicante, El Altet, es de los más imporantes de España, acometiendo en este momento las obras de ampliación para su nueva Terminal 2.

La web oficial del aeropuerto es:
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&c=Page&SiteName=ALC&cid=1049437849176

'''Como llegar a Alicante desde el aeropuerto'''
El aeropuerto está a penas 9 Km de Alicante. Para llegar a la ciudad se puede usar:
*La línea C6 de autobús
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1049437849200&pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&SMO=1&SiteName=ALC&p=1049437849188&c=Page&MO=1
*Un taxi
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1049437849300&pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&SMO=1&SiteName=ALC&p=1049437849188&c=Page&MO=1

=== En autobús ===
La estación de autobuses de Alicante conecta la ciudad con la inmensa mayoría de destinos dentro del territorio español y con un abanico bastante considerable de destinos en el resto de Europa.

http://www.alicante-ayto.es/redir.php?apartado=trafico&pagina=trvia_autobuses.html&titulo=Estaci%F3n%20de%20Autobuses%20-%20Transporte%20de%20Viajeros%20-%20Tr%E1fico%20y%20Transportes%20/%20Ayuntamiento%20de%20Alicante

La empresa que más trayectos cubre es Alsa:
www.alsa.es

=== En tren ===

www.Renfe.es

== Cómo salir de Alicante ==
Esta información está pensada para aquellos viajeros que sigan su viaje tras visitar Alicante.
A parte de la información ya indicada en el apartado "Cómo llegar a Alicante", existen otras opciones y aspectos a tener en cuenta.

''' Hacia otros destinos'''
El sur de España está muy mal comunicado desde Levante. La mejor opción es tomar un autobús o bien compartir un coche con otros viajeros (ver apartado siguiente).

=== Autoestop ===
En España no existe gran tradición del autoestop pero Alicante posee ciertos puntos en los que las probabilidades de encontrar un conductor aumentan.
(MAPA)

=== Compartir un coche ===
Existe la posibilidad de encontrar un compañero de viaje que vaya a hacer el mismo trayecto.
http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/index.jsp
http://www.viajandojuntos.com/
Francia: http://www.123envoiture.com/

== ¿En qué plan vienes? ==
En este apartado te ofrecemos varias propuestas para tu estancia en Alicante dependiendo de lo que has venido a buscar.
(GoogleMap con los puntos de interés turístico.)

=== Visita turística ===

==== Castillo de Santa Bárbara ====

==== La Explanada ====

==== El Parque de Canalejas ====

==== La Isla de Tabarca ====

==== Museos ====

===== MARQ =====

===== SEA =====

==== El Castillo de San Fernando ====

Vistas desde el Castillo de San Fernando

==== Festivales locales ====
Hogueras
Semana Santa

=== Descanso y relax===
Playa Postiguet
Playa San Juan
Playa El Campello
Playa El carabasí
...

=== A estudiar ===
Centros de estudios de español para extranjeros
Puntos de información en la Universidad
Intercambios lingüísticos

=== Fiesta nocturna ===
El Barrio
El puerto
Panoramis
Afterhours

== Actividades ==
=== Festivales locales ===
=== Actividades CS ===
'''Activities'''
Alicante´s Group
[[:cs:groups/Alacant - Alicante]]
Here you can find the postings related to the activities organized by local CS members.
Any visitor is welcomed to join us inany of our activities or even propose yours.
Tell us when you are coming, we´ll always arrange something ;-)
Please, do not use this group for requesting a couch. Use <this> subgroup instead.

Agenda (Google Calendar)

GoogleMap con los sitios en los que quedamos.

--[[User:JFQueralt|JFQueralt]] 08:01, 16 October 2007 (EDT)
[[category:Spain]]

Alicante

2012-12-28T18:17:54Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Alicante

[[category:Spain]]
[[category:Comunidad_Valenciana]]
{{City
|name =Alicante
|country =Spain
|region =Comunidad_Valenciana
|nickname =
|group =
|wikipedia =Alicante
|wikitravel =Alicante
|image =Placadelsol.jpg
|imagetext =
|ambassadors=[[:cs:people/ekubo|Holger Michel]] 
}}
{{enEspañol|Alicante/es}}

== Information about the city ==
Alicante is a 3000 years old coast city, by the Mediterranean sea. Most of the year under the sun, it´s a well-known touristic place and counts with 316.000 inhabitants.

The exact origin of the city come back to the Iberians. the Fenicians (which called the city Akra Leuka), ruled by the romans (by that time calling the city Lucentum), the musilms, which gave it it´s nowadays name, Alicante, and finally taken back by the spanish army in 1246 AD.

== Getting in and out ==

== Activities ==

== To visit ==

==What's on. Hang out==

If you want to see some live cams, check:
[http://webcam.comunitatvalenciana.com/webcamcostablanca-alicante1.htm?id_camara=16 link title]

'''Getting in and out'''
''Airport''
Alicante´s airport, El Altet, is the second most important airport in Spain.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?pagename=subHome&Language=ES_ES&c=Page&SiteName=ALC&cid=1049437849176

Bus station

http://www.alicante-ayto.es/redir.php?apartado=trafico&pagina=trvia_autobuses.html&titulo=Estaci%F3n%20de%20Autobuses%20-%20Transporte%20de%20Viajeros%20-%20Tr%E1fico%20y%20Transportes%20/%20Ayuntamiento%20de%20Alicante

For those who want to move around the main cities in Spain or Europe, you can check this company:
www.alsa.es

Train station
www.Renfe.es

Moving in the city
Bus
www.subus.es

Taxi

'''Activities'''
Alicante´s Group
[[:cs:groups/Alacant - Alicante]]
Here you can find the postings related to the activities organized by local CS members.
Any visitor is welcomed to join us inany of our activities or even propose yours.
Tell us when you are coming, we´ll always arrange something ;-)
Please, do not use this group for requesting a couch. Use <this> subgroup instead.

Agenda (Google Calendar)
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=2mqrvrb5qdm1t81uj1o7omsl2s%40group.calendar.google.com"><img src="http://www.google.com/calendar/images/ext/gc_button1_es.gif" border=0></a>
[<a target="_blank" href="http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=2mqrvrb5qdm1t81uj1o7omsl2s%40group.calendar.google.com"><img src="http://www.google.com/calendar/images/ext/gc_button1_es.gif" border=0></a> Agenda]

GoogleMap con los sitios en los que quedamos.

[[Image:GoogleCalendar.gif|frame|xxxx]]
[[Image:CS.ES.Alicante.VistaGeneralNoche.jpg‎|Frame|Alicante de noche]]

'''Places to visit'''
GoogleMap con los puntos de interés turístico.

Castillo de Santa Bárbara

Explanada

Parque de Canalejas

Isla de Tabarca

Museos

'''Services for surfers'''
GoogleMap con la localización de los centros de servicios.

Couch Request´s Group
[[:cs:groups/Couch Requests]]
[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=6937 Request for a couch in Alicante]

Laundry Services
Albergue Juvenil La Florida
Avenida Orihuela, 59
03007 Alicante
Telefono 965 282 754
Por 1,8 euros se puede lavar la ropa. Incluye secadora.

Telephone Services(?)

--[[User:JFQueralt|JFQueralt]] 08:01, 16 October 2007 (EDT)

Spain

2012-12-28T18:16:23Z

The juanderer: added Alicante, Alicante/es

{{Country header
|country = Spain
|region = Europe
|csgroup = 246
|places = [[Alicante]] • [[Alicante/es]] • [[Barcelona]] • [[Bilbao]] • [[Granada]] • [[Las Palmas]] • [[Madrid]] • [[Málaga]] • [[Murcia]] • [[Oviedo]] • [[Oviedo/es]] • [[Palma de Mallorca]] • [[Salamanca]] • [[Seville]] • [[Valencia]] • [[Vigo]] • [[Zaragoza]]
|toplinks =
|wikipedia = Spain
|hitchwiki = Spain
|wikitravel = Spain
|image = Flag of Spain.svg
|imagetext =‎ Flag of Spain
}}

Spain is a country in [[Europe]].

{{stub}}

Oviedo/es

2012-12-28T18:14:23Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Oviedo/es

[[Category:Español]]
{{City
|name =Oviedo
|country =Spain
|region =Asturias
|nickname =La Capital del Paraiso
|group =5859
|wikipedia =Oviedo
|wikitravel =Oviedo_(Asturias)
|image =entorno-oviedo.jpg
|imagetext =
|ambassadors=[[:cs:people/carzelli|Hector Valcarcel]] ,[[:cs:people/dask|Daniel Alvarez]] 
}}
{{inEnglish|Oviedo}}
'''Oviedo''' es la capital de Asturias, en el norte de España. Tiene una población de alrededor de 223.617 personas, de los cuales 50 son couchsurfers ''(agosto 2008)''. Oviedo es una ciudad pequeña y tranquila, pero con muchas cosas que hacer, que visitar que probar y que disfrutar por poco dinero.
La Universidad de Oviedo atrae a muchos estudiantes extranjeros de todo el mundo.
Ojea nuestro grupo: [[:csgroup:5859|Asturias, North of Spain]] para estar informado sobre eventos y demás.
 
==Clima==
Los veranos son agradables, con muchos dias de sol, y los infiernos moderados, con lluvias suaves a las que llamamos '''orbayu'''. Puedes ver la predicción del tiempo [http://www.meteoasturias.com aquí] y también ver alguna webcam del principado.

==Como llegar==

'''AEROPUERTO DE ASTURIAS''' (código IATA: '''OVD''', código OACI: '''LEAS''')

Está en Ranón, a 47 km de Oviedo y hay [http://www.alsa.es autobuses] a Oviedo cada hora por €6,15 ''(agosto 2008)''.

líneas aéreas:

* Air Berlin: Palma de Mallorca.
* Air Europa: Lanzarote, Tenerife Sur, Fuerteventura, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca.
* Clickair: Barcelona.
* easyJet: Ginebra (Geneve), Londres-Stansted (London), Madrid-Barajas.
* Iberia: Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas.
* Air Nostrum (Iberia regional): Alicante, Barcelona, Bruselas (Brussels), Madrid-Barajas, Málaga, París-Orly, Sevilla, Valencia.
* Spanair: Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas.

'''AUTOBUSES'''

* [http://www.estaciondeautobusesdeoviedo.com Estación de Autobuses de Oviedo]
* [http://www.alsa.es ALSA] la principal compañía de autobuses

'''TRENES'''

* [http://www.renfe.es RENFE]
* [http://www.feve.es FEVE]

'''AUTOESTOP'''

En España no es fácil hacer autoestop, puedes intentarlo pero recuerda que esta prohibido en autopistas.

==Moviéndote por Oviedo==

Oviedo es una ciudad pequeña y puedes ir a cualquier sitio caminando, pero si no quieres caminar coge el [http://www.tua.es autobús urbano]. El billete cuesta €0.90 ''(agosto 2008)''.

Hay autubuses desde las 7:00 hasta las 23:00 cada diez minutos aproximadamente (depende de la línea) y los fines de semana y festivos hay autobuses nocturnos, busca por ''búhos'' en la pagina web.

==Sitios==

La ubicación de todos estos sitios se muestra en este [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=es&msa=0&ll=43.360633,-5.846958&spn=0.022995,0.038581&t=h&z=15&msid=113951989354945120897.0004555a7e8dbbd3df483 google map]

===que visitar===
<gallery>
Image:oviedo-escandalera.jpg|''Plaza de La Escandalera''
Image:oviedo-san_francisco.jpg|''Parque San Francisco''
Image:oviedo-santa_maria_naranco.jpg|''Iglesia Santa Maria de Naranco''
Image:oviedo-catedral.jpg|''Catedral''
Image:oviedo-iglesia_san_juan.jpg|''Iglesia de San Juan''
Image:oviedo-mercado_fontan.jpg|''Mercado de El Fontán''
Image:oviedo-mirador_cristo.jpg|''Mirador de El Cristo''
Image:oviedo-san_miguel_lillo.jpg|''Iglesia de San Miguel de Lillo''
</gallery>

===Arte y Cultura===

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=150 valign=middle>[http://www.museobbaa.com Museo de Bellas Artes]</td>
<td width=50 valign=middle align=center>gratis</td>
<td width=80 valign=middle>985 21 30 61</td>
<td width=170 valign=middle>Calle Santa Ana 1-3</td>
<td valign=middle>Martes a Viernes - 10,30 a 14,00 - 16,30 a 20,30 Sábados - 11,30 a 14,00 - 17,00 a 20,00
 Domingos y Festivos - 11,30 a 14,30 ''ligeros cambios de horario en julio y agosto''</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>Museo Arqueológico</td>
<td valign=middle align=center>gratis</td>
<td valign=middle>985 21 54 05</td>
<td valign=middle>Calle San Vicente, 5</td>
<td valign=middle>Martes a Sábados - 10.00 a 13.30 - 16.00 a 18.00 Domingos y Festivos - 11.00 a 13.00</td>
</tr>
</table>

===para tomar algo===

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=170 valign=middle>'''Gascona'''</td>
<td>''"El bulevar de la sidra"'' siempre lleno de gente.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>'''La Calleja La Ciega'''</td>
<td>Un sitio tranquilo para disfrutar de las noches de verano en su terraza (bajando las escaleras)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>'''CA Beleño'''</td>
<td>Vieja taberna de decoración celta, para beberte una guiness mientras escuchas música de gaitas</td>
</tr>
</table>

===para comer===
pronto....

===para salir de noche===
Todos los pubs estan en la misma zona (mas o menos) asi que creo que es mejor marcar toda la zona en google maps que señalar los bares uno por uno. Como normalmente no estas mas de 30 minutos en cada bar, en una noche te da tiempo a verlos todos y decidir por ti mismo cual te gusta mas.

==Eventos y Festivales==

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=210 valign=middle>[http://www.ayto-oviedo.es/es/programacion/agendaPorCategoria.php?cat=20 San Mateo]</td>
<td width=180 valign=middle>12 - 28 septiembre</td>
<td valign=middle>''fiesta grande''</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Alojamiento==
Si no puedes encontrar sofá. prueba con las siguientes alternativas:

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=210 valign=middle>[http://www.reaj.com Albergue Ramón Menéndez Pidal]</td>
<td width=90 valign=middle>985 96 65 70</td>
<td width=190 valign=middle>C/ Julián Claveria,14</td>
<td valign=middle>''Hostelling International''</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>[http://www.caminosantiagoastur.com Albergue de El Salvador]</td>
<td valign=middle>985 22 85 25</td>
<td valign=middle>Calle San Pedro Mestallón, nº 1</td>
<td valign=middle>''solo para peregrinos (necesitar tarjeta)''</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Enlaces e Información Util==

Prefijo telefonico de España 0034

* Ambulancia, Emergencias, Bomberos, Policía: 112
* Taxis: 985 25 25 00 [http://www.radiotaxiprincipado.com web]
* Ayuntamiento 984 08 38 00 [http://www.oviedo.es web]

==Información para anfitriones de Oviedo==

En tu perfil, puedes añadir el siguiente texto para facilitarle esta información a los couchsurfers que planean venir a Oviedo.

=== Copia y Pega este texto en tu "Información de sofá" ''(Couch information)'' ===

'''<nowiki>If you are coming to Oviedo, check our <a href="http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Oviedo">wiki</a> and <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=5859">Asturias group</a> -
very helpful info inside!!</nowiki>'''

Oviedo

2012-12-28T18:12:50Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Oviedo

[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Asturias]]
{{City
|name =Oviedo
|country =Spain
|region =Asturias
|nickname =The Capital of the Paradise
|group =5859
|wikipedia =Oviedo
|wikitravel =Oviedo_(Asturias)
|image =entorno-oviedo.jpg
|imagetext =
|ambassadors=[[:cs:people/carzelli|Hector Valcarcel]] ,[[:cs:people/dask|Daniel Alvarez]] 
}}
{{enEspañol|Oviedo/es}}
'''Oviedo''' is the capital city of Asturias in northern [[Spain]] and has a population of approximately 223.617 people, 50 of they are CSers ''(august 2008)''. Oviedo is a small and calm city but with a lot of things to do, to visit, to taste, and to enjoy for really little money.
Oviedo University's international campus attracts many foreign students from all over the globe.

Check out our group: [[:csgroup:5859|Asturias, North of Spain]] to keep yourself informed about events and more.
 
==Climate & Weather==
Summers are mild, with lot of sunny days and winters are moderate with soft rains that we call '''orbayu'''. You can check the weather
[http://www.meteoasturias.com here] and also view some webcams of the region.

==Getting here==

'''ASTURIAS AIRPORT''' (code IATA: '''OVD''', code OACI: '''LEAS''')

is placed in Ranon, 47 km from oviedo and has [http://www.alsa.es buses] to oviedo every hour for €6,15 ''(august 2008)''.

airlines:

* Air Berlin: Palma de Mallorca.
* Air Europa: Lanzarote, Tenerife Sur, Fuerteventura, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Palma de Mallorca.
* Clickair: Barcelona.
* easyJet: Ginebra (Geneve), Londres-Stansted (London), Madrid-Barajas.
* Iberia: Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas.
* Air Nostrum (Iberia regional): Alicante, Barcelona, Bruselas (Brussels), Madrid-Barajas, Málaga, París-Orly, Sevilla, Valencia.
* Spanair: Barcelona, Madrid-Barajas.

'''BUSES'''

* [http://www.estaciondeautobusesdeoviedo.com Estacion de Autobuses de Oviedo] Oviedo's bus station
* [http://www.alsa.es ALSA] the bigest bus company

'''TRAINS'''

* [http://www.renfe.es RENFE]
* [http://www.feve.es FEVE]

'''HITCH-HIKING'''

Spain is not an easy country for hitchhiking, you can try it but remember it is forbidden in highways

==Local transportation==

Oviedo is a small city, and you can go walking everywhere, but if you are too lazy, take the [http://www.tua.es urban bus]. A one-journey ticket costs €0.90 ''(august 2008)''.

These buses work from 7:00 to 23:00 every ten minutes aprox (depends on the line) and in weekends and holidays there are special ones throughout the night, look for ''buhos'' in their web site.

==Places==

All of the next places are showed in this [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=es&msa=0&ll=43.360633,-5.846958&spn=0.022995,0.038581&t=h&z=15&msid=113951989354945120897.0004555a7e8dbbd3df483 google map]

===to visit===
<gallery>
Image:oviedo-escandalera.jpg|''La Escandalera Square''
Image:oviedo-san_francisco.jpg|''San Francisco Park''
Image:oviedo-santa_maria_naranco.jpg|''Santa Maria de Naranco Church''
Image:oviedo-catedral.jpg|''Cathedral''
Image:oviedo-iglesia_san_juan.jpg|''San Juan Church''
Image:oviedo-mercado_fontan.jpg|''El Fontán Market''
Image:oviedo-mirador_cristo.jpg|''El Cristo viewpoint''
Image:oviedo-san_miguel_lillo.jpg|''San Miguel de Lillo Church''
</gallery>

===Art & Culture===
<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=150 valign=middle>[http://www.museobbaa.com Fine Arts museum]</td>
<td width=50 valign=middle align=center>free</td>
<td width=80 valign=middle>985 21 30 61</td>
<td width=170 valign=middle>Calle Santa Ana 1-3</td>
<td valign=middle>Tuesday on Friday - 10,30 to 14,00 & 16,30 to 20,30 Saturday - 11,30 to 14,00 & 17,00 to 20,00
 Sunday and holiday - 11,30 to 14,30 ''little time changes in july and august''</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>Archaeological museum</td>
<td valign=middle align=center>free</td>
<td valign=middle>985 21 54 05</td>
<td valign=middle>Calle San Vicente, 5</td>
<td valign=middle>Tuesday to saturday - 10.00 to 13.30 & 16.00 to 18.00 Sunday and holiday - 11.00 to 13.00</td>
</tr>
</table>

===to drink something===
<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=170 valign=middle>'''Gascona'''</td>
<td>''"El bulevar de la sidra"'' (boulevard of cyder) is full of ''sidrerias'' and always crowded.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>'''La Calleja La Ciega'''</td>
<td>A calm bar to enjoy summer nights in this wonderful terrace (downstairs)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>'''CA Beleño'''</td>
<td>An old celtic tavern with tipical decoration, to drink an irish beer listening to bagpipe sounds</td>
</tr>
</table>

===to eat===
soon....

===Nightlife===
All the night clubs are in the same area (more or less) and I think it is better to mark all the area in google maps than mark them one by one, because here in spain, usually people dont spend more than 30 min in each club, and in one night you'll have time for visit most places and decide which is the best for yourself.

==Festivals & Events==
<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=210 valign=middle>[http://www.ayto-oviedo.es/es/programacion/agendaPorCategoria.php?cat=20 San Mateo]</td>
<td width=180 valign=middle>12 - 28 september</td>
<td valign=middle>''main party''</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Acomodation==
If you can't find any couch for crash, try with the next choices:

<table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td width=210 valign=middle>[http://www.reaj.com Albergue Ramón Menéndez Pidal]</td>
<td width=90 valign=middle>985 96 65 70</td>
<td width=190 valign=middle>C/ Julián Claveria,14</td>
<td valign=middle>''Hostelling International''</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=middle>[http://www.caminosantiagoastur.com Albergue de El Salvador]</td>
<td valign=middle>985 22 85 25</td>
<td valign=middle>Calle San Pedro Mestallón, nº 1</td>
<td valign=middle>''only for pilgrims (you need a card)''</td>
</tr>
</table>

==Useful Info & Links==

Spain phone prefix 0034

* Ambulance, Emergencies, Firemen, Police: 112
* Taxis: 985 25 25 00 [http://www.radiotaxiprincipado.com web]
* City Hall 984 08 38 00 [http://www.oviedo.es web]

==Info for Oviedo hosts==

In your profile, you can add the following text so you give people the basic information any CSer needs to know when planning to come to our city.

=== Copy + Paste this text in your "Couch information" ===

'''<nowiki>If you are coming to Oviedo, check our <a href="http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Oviedo">wiki</a> and <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=5859">Asturias group</a> -

very helpful info inside!!</nowiki>'''

Spain

2012-12-28T18:11:34Z

The juanderer: added Oviedo, Oviedo/es, Salamanca, Sevilla/es, Vigo

{{Country header
|country = Spain
|region = Europe
|csgroup = 246
|places = [[Barcelona]] • [[Bilbao]] • [[Granada]] • [[Las Palmas]] • [[Madrid]] • [[Málaga]] • [[Murcia]] • [[Oviedo]] • [[Oviedo/es]] • [[Palma de Mallorca]] • [[Salamanca]] • [[Seville]] • [[Valencia]] • [[Vigo]] • [[Zaragoza]]
|toplinks =
|wikipedia = Spain
|hitchwiki = Spain
|wikitravel = Spain
|image = Flag of Spain.svg
|imagetext =‎ Flag of Spain
}}

Spain is a country in [[Europe]].

{{stub}}

Granada

2012-12-28T18:05:00Z

The juanderer: initial copy of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Granada

[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Andalucia]]

=== Some Historical info / Algo de historia ===
[[Image:granada2.jpg]] 
Para saber más sobre la ciudad de Granada, puedes consultar este artículo en la Wikipedia: 
To know about the rich history of Granada: 
[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granada Wiki Granada Info Page] 

También puedes visitar la web del Ayuntamiento: 
You can also find info on the Townhall site: 
[http://www.granada.org/ Link] 

Si quieres ver unas cuentas webcams en directo, visita: 
Here a live webcam link: 
[http://www.granada-webcam.com/granada-webcam.php Webcam] 

== CouchSurfing en Granada ==

===CS Members/ Miembros CS ===
Granada cuenta con un grupo de CouchSurfers activo, que recibe a muchos viajeros de todo el mundo y organiza actividades de forma regular. 

Granada s group is more and more active, and receive many visits from worldwide traveller. The members also organize many activities.

=== CS group / Grupo CS ===
Puedes darte de alta en este grupo para estar informado de todas nuestras actividades. 
Participa con tus propias sugerencias! 
You can register to the Granada group to be aware about the local activities. 
If you register be an active member! 
[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=6753 Granada Group] 

=== CS meeting spot / Zona CS ===
La Zona CS es un punto de encuentro de CouchSurfers en Granada. 
En este momento no tenemos decidida nuestra Zona CS pero estamos en pleno debate. 

The meeting spot is currently in discussion 

==CS traveller / CS viajero==

=== Find a couch / Solicitar un couch ===
Si estás buscando un sitio donde quedarte durante tu estancia en Granada puedes mandar mensajes individuales a miembro local, tambien puedes registrarte en nuestro grupo de solicitudes de couch: 
If you search a couch please contact members personally, you can also belong to Granada find couch Group (i strongly recommend the first option) 
[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=8970 Granada couch group] 

===Elementary rules / Reglas elementales===
Por favour llene su perfil (foto, detales…), es siempre mejor mostrar información personal al miembro quiénes tienen que recibirle. 
Esté amistoso, provechoso, respetuoso, y participar a los honorarios. 

1) It is better to ask for hospitality directly to the people rather than leaving an open message in the group. In this way you’ll have the chance to know better who your potential host is we are sure it is your concern to know where you’ll end up sleeping!). 
Also, you won’t give the idea of being just someone looking for a free place to stay. 

2) Once you selected some people, be clear in your request; specify when you are arriving and when you are leaving. 

3) Be sure you thoroughly read your potential host’s profile. Do not ask for things that are already included in it! 

4) Have your own profile properly filled out, including some pictures. Let your perspective host be able to understand what kind of person you are. 

5) Explain your plans. Are you coming for a cultural visit or to enjoy the nightlife? Do you intend to sleep late or wake up early? ... These types of information will help the host decide whether he/she will take you in or not. 

6) Write your couch request with the right advance notice. Some people write requests several months before they arrive (it can be too much) or just a couple of days before (too short notice). A 2-4 weeks notice would be ideal. 

7) If you want to surf together with your partner or friends, specify if they are registered at CS as well, and eventually add a link to their profiles. If they aren't registered, have them sign up. People like to know who will be sleeping under their roof! 

===Emergency contacts / contacto de emergencia===
When couchsurfing site is down / Cuando el sitio couchsurfing está abajo 

Puedes contactar cs.granada@gmail.com, esto se extenderá correo electrónico a algunos miembros (no olvide de añadir su teléfono celular / correo electrónico). 
You can contact cs.granada@gmail.com, it will spread you email to some members (Don’t forget to add your cell phone/email). 

si no puedes encuentrar de couch puedes llamar este hostales: 
If you were unsuccessfull to find a couch you can call(only for info ,we haven't checked the quality of these places): 
Hostels 
[http://www.visitagranada.com/mochiguesthouse Mochi Guesthouse] 
[http://www.oasisgranada.com/en/default.html Oasis Hostal] 
[http://www.hostels.com/en/availability.php/HostelNumber.8344 Funky Backpackers] 
[http://www.makutoguesthouse.com/eng-home.php Makuto Guesthouse] 
-
http://www.hostelworld.com (it charges commission)("a good tip is to surch for your hostel on hostelworld and then call them or make a reservation trough there website!" Thanks, Tom) 
http://www.hostelz.com 
http://www.meligrana.com/esp/ 
[http://www.maktubgranada.com Maktub] (next to plaza Nueva) 

If you stay in any of these hostels, or if you use these web sites, 
it would be nice if you leave your opinion as a feedback that will be very useful for other travellers... :) 

===For longer stay / alojamiento para mas tiempo===
[http://www.granada.loquo.com Granada Loquo] 
[http://www.compartepiso.com Compartir piso] 

==Services for travellers and members / Servicios para Surfers y miembros==
Para todos los surfers que visiten Granada aqui se exponen una serie de servicios que facilitarán tu estancia. 
For all Surfers, the following services can help you.

===Calendar / Agenda===
Mantenemos una agenda con las actividades que vamos organizando. 
El agenda esta compartido con los miembros activo de Granada, para añadarlo: [http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=cs.granada%40gmail.com ADD CALENDAR] 
Todo el mundo puede consultarlo en: [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cs.granada%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe/Paris Public CS Calendar] 

The calendar is shared with the local Members; they can add events and organize meetings or activities. 
The visitor can consult the public page of the calendar: [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cs.granada%40gmail.com&ctz=Europe/Paris Public CS Calendar] 
If you have a gmail account you can add the calendar here: [http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=cs.granada%40gmail.com ADD CALENDAR] 

mas informacion sobre el calendar de google: 
More info about howw to manage a google calendar: 
[http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?answer=34578&hl=es info] 

=== Map / Mapa ===
Mantenemos una Mapa con todos los lugares interesante de Granada y de su region. 
Tambien que el Agenda puedes preguntar de participar activamente a su elaboracion. 
Puedes consultarla en: [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&ll=37.175193,-3.598902&spn=0.012994,0.028667&z=16&om=0 Mapa Cs Granada] 

The dynamic Google Map shows the important places in the city but also in the province, as the google Agenda you can ask the rights to add your own information by sending a email to cs.granada@gmail.com- you need a google account(free)) 
[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=fr&msa=0&ll=37.175193,-3.598902&spn=0.012994,0.028667&z=16&om=0 CS Granada Map] 

==== Zonas WiFi ====
Si llevas tu portátil contigo y necesitas poder conectarte, prueba en los siguientes lugares: 
xx
They are many Wifi areas, often in hotels and bars, and sometimes free in the street :D 
xx
==== Servicios telefónicos ====
Vodafone 
Orange 
Movistar 
Yoigo 
Happy movil 

Si esta en viaje en españa y necesita un numero de movil Es puede comprar tajeta de prepago. 
Yoigo es muy barato para llamar dentro del pais 
Happy movil barato por llamada internacional 

==== Health /salud ====
This info is for the member of the European Union. 
If you travel don't forget to ask the European healthcare card. 
How to see a doctor in spain: 
Pre required elements: 
-make a photocopy of your European Card 
-take your passport 
-know your Spanish adress 

Go to a [http://www.granadaenlared.com/guia/publicos-sanidad-centros-salud.htm Centro de salud] (this from the area you live) 
-ask for a general paper 'take in charge' 
-fill out the paper 
-return to the desk and ask for the type of doctor you need. 

once you got this paper, you also have a specified doctor. 
Now you can ask for an appointment with doctor. 
normaly you should pay nothing. 
at the pharmacia you will pay only 40% of the total. 

=== Learn spanish/Apprender la idioma ===
con internet: 
http://www.granada.loquo.com/cs/comunidad/intercambio-de-idiomas/ 
http://www.sharedtalk.com/ 
http://www.language-exchanges.org/ 
http://www.audiria.com (Podcasts, vocabulary and exercises for FREE) 
http://www.notesinspanish.com/ 

== Move in the city / Moverse en la ciudad ==

=== By foot /A pie ===
Granada es realmente una ciudad no demasiado grande, en la que moverse a pie es casi la mejor opción. 
Prácticamente todos los puntos de interés para un viajero se pueden alcanzar andando. 

Granada is a small city, almost everything is practicable by foot and it’s also one of the best options, especially if you don’t want to get annoyed by parking a car! 

=== By bike / En bicicleta ===
La ciudad no está realmente preparada para el ciclista. No existen carriles bici excepto en contadas zonas en la periferia. Tampoco existen aparcamientos específicos para bicicletas. 

The City is not well fitted for cycling, they are few cycling pists and in some areas it ‘s quite dangerous to bike the streets. They aren’t bikes parking. 
Outside from Granada they are many user, exclusively for sports activities / mountain bike. 

=== By Motorbike / En moto ===
Moverse en moto es muy sencillo y práctico. Se evitan la mayoría de atascos y existen multitud de zonas de aparcamiento específicas para las motos. 

Use a motorbike or motor cycle is very convenient; it avoids you to get stacked in the traffic jam. 
They are many parking. 

=== By car / En coche ===
Moverse en coche es posible pero se convierte fácilmente en un pequeño suplicio. 
Los parkings suelen tener plazas disponibles entre semana. 

It’s a bit difficult to use the car in the centre, mostly because of the little streets, of the dense traffic, parking problems. And if you can avoid to pollute, especially in summer, you will be a good example. 

===By Bus / En autobús ===
La red de autobuses de Granada cubre prácticamente todo el área metropolitana y la periferia, existiendo líneas que te llevan a las poblaciones colindantes. 
Las formas de pago son efectivo y la tarjeta Bonobus. Los autobuses pueden no aceptar cambio de billetes de más de 10 euros. 
Más información sobre los autobuses: [http://www.granadadirect.com/transporte/autobuses-granada/ Autobuses de Granada] 

=== En Taxi ===
El uso del taxi puede ser una solución en algunos casos, si bien tiene un precio que no todos los bolsillos pueden permitirse. 

La flota de taxis no es demasiado amplia y en ciertos franjas horarias como un sábado noche pueden no parar para recoger clientes en medio de la calle si están cerca de una parada de taxis. 

[http://www.ayto.es Para más información]/ 

To use the Taxi can be an alternative solution, but much more expensive than bus or by foot. Depends on your budget! 
[http://www.ayto.es Taxi info]/ 

== How to arrive at Granada / Cómo llegar a Granada ==
=== En avión===
El aeropuerto de Granada. 

[http://www.aena.es La web oficial del aeropuerto] 

'''Como llegar a Granada desde el aeropuerto''' 
El aeropuerto está a penas 15Km de Granada. Para llegar a la ciudad se puede usar: 
[http://www.aena.es La línea de autobús]/ 
[http://www.aena.es Un Taxi]/ 

===By Bus / En autobús ===
La estación de autobuses de Granada conecta la ciudad con la inmensa mayoría de destinos dentro del territorio español y con un abanico bastante considerable de destinos en el resto de Europa. 

http://www.ayto.es/ 

La empresa que más trayectos cubre es Alsa: 
http://www.alsa.es 

Buses from and to the airport are run by a separate company and coincide with flight arrival and departure times: 

Los autobuses desde y hacia el aeropuerto son administrados por una empresa independiente y coinciden con los vuelos de llegada y salida: 

http://www.autocaresjosegonzalez.com/ 

=== By train / En tren ===

http://www.Renfe.es 

== Alternative travel method in Granada / Método de viajes alternativo en Granada ==
Esta información está pensada para aquellos viajeros que sigan su viaje tras visitar Granada. 
A parte de la información ya indicada en el apartado "Cómo llegar a Granada", existen otras opciones y aspectos a tener en cuenta. 

=== Hitchiking / Autoestop ===
En España no existe gran tradición del autoestop pero Granada posee ciertos puntos en los que las probabilidades de encontrar un conductor aumentan. 
(MAPA) 

There is not a big tradition of hitchhiking in Spain, but if you plan to make hitchhiking, one good possibility is to wait for cars in a Gas station and have a talk to the people who are there 

=== Share a car / Compartir un coche ===
Existe la posibilidad de encontrar un compañero de viaje que vaya a hacer el mismo trayecto. 
http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/index.jsp 
http://www.viajandojuntos.com/ 
http://granada.loquo.com/cs/comunidad/compartir-coche-viajes/101 
de Francia: http://www.123envoiture.com/ 

You can find on web site people who wants to share the expenses of a travel by car.
http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/index.jsp 
http://www.viajandojuntos.com/ 
http://granada.loquo.com/cs/comunidad/compartir-coche-viajes/101 
from France: http://www.123envoiture.com/ 

==What would you like to see, visit? / ¿En qué plan vienes? ==
En este apartado te ofrecemos varias propuestas para tu estancia en Granada dependiendo de lo que has venido a buscar. 
(GoogleMap con los puntos de interés turístico.) 

We add a list of sightseeing, nice places to see…etc (you can find them on the google map) 

=== In Granada city / En Granada Ciudad ===
-Alhambra 
-Monasterio de la Cartuja 
-Monasterio San Jeronimo 
-Catedral de Granada (de los Reyes Catolicos) 
-El barrio Albayzin 
-El barrio Realejo 
-Mirador de San Nicolas 
-Los Baños Arabes - Arabic baths, of which there are two main central baths. The smaller of the two,
Hammam Baños Arabes, is located near Plaza Nueva on C/ Santa Ana 16. For more info: www.hammamspain.com. The larger second, Aljibe Baños Arabes, is located on C/ San Miguel Alta, 41. Website: http://www.aljibesanmiguel.es. Expect to pay around 18 Euros for the baths and 24 for bath and massage.
-Tapas tour 
-El Parque de Las Ciencias 
-Biblioteca de Andalucía 
-Museo casa de los tiros 
-Centro José Guerrero, modern art center, calle Oficio, 8, junto a la Catedral 
-Centro de Interpretación del Sacromonte, barranco de los Negros s/n 
-Hospital San Juan de Dios 
-Centro cultural Manuel de Falla, paseo de los Mártires s/n 
-Teatro Isabel la Católica, acera del Casino 

=== Around Granada / alrededor de Granada ciudad ===
====Sierra Nevada , norte ====
[http://www.guadix.es Guadix] 
[http://www.lacalahorra.com/intro.html La Calahorra] 
[http://www.pueblos-espana.org/andalucia/granada/purullena Purullena]/ 

====Alpujarras (Sierra nevada Sur) ====
[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpujarras Alpujarras] 
[http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpujarra_Granadina Alpujarra Granadina] 
Capileira-Pampaneira 
Trevelez 
Lanjaron 

==== Sierra de la Cabra ====
vista sobre la Mar Mediteraneo 

==== La playa ====
Salobreña 
Motril 
Almuñecar 

==== Otro ====
Fuente de agua caliente natural 
-Alhama de Granada 
-Cerca de santa Fe, aeropuerto 
-La Malahà 

==== Antequera ====
El Torcal 

====Sierra de Cazorla/Segura ====
Cazorla 
La Iruela 
Segura de la sierra 

====Norte de Granada ====
Moclin 

== Activities / Actividades ==
[http://www.yuzin.com El Yuzín] 

=== Flamenco shows ===
(avoid dinner+show it's more for tourists) 
Peña flamenca La Platería 
Theaters: ciclo Flamenco Viene del Sur 
El Upsetter, carrera del Darro, 7 
7xmedio, calle San José 
La chumbera, carretera de Murcia 
El Liberia, calle Duquesa, 8 
El Eshavira, Postigo de la Cuna, 2 (junto a calle Elvira) 
El Huerto del loro 

===Night life / Marcha ===
==== Tapas bars / bar tapas ====
Minotauro 
Riviera 
Los diamantes 
Calle Navas 
El Círculo, calle Elvira 33. Lounge bar. Mediterranean tapas. 
Café Elvira, calle Elvira, 85 
Al Sur de Granada, calle Elvira 
La Taberna 
La Taberna 22 
El Boabdil 
La Tortuga, calle Elvira 
La Riviera 
La casa Julio 
Nuestro bar 
El Establo 
El Labrador 
El bar K-ito 
El Saint-Germain 
La Medida 
La Bella y la bestia 
El Europa II 
Bodega Castañeda 
Antigua Bodega Castañeda 
La bella curva 

==== Bar pubs ====
La Válvula, plaza Einstein 
El peatón, calle Sócrates, 25 
El music, realejo, calle Rosario 
El Fontana, carrera del Darro, 19 
El Entresuelo, plaza del mercado San Agustín 
La Estrella, calle Cuchilleros, 6 (junto a plaza Nueva) 
El Son, calle Joaquín Costa, 13 
El Enano rojo, calle Elvira, 91 
El Pplaymobil, calle Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, esquina calle Sócrates 
Ojánkano, calla Cedrán, 7 
El Pícaro, calle Varela, 10. Jazz and world music. 
El Bagdad Café, Coca de san Andrés, junto a calle Elvira 
El Granero 
La Tertulia 
El bohemia 
La Cueva del Gato 

==== Teterías ====
Abacote 
Tetería Tuareg 

=== Para bailar salsa ===

[http://www.salseromayor.com Salsero Mayor] c/ Paz 
Bachata Rosa (c/ Madre Riquelme, 1) 
[http://www.barriolatinogranada.com Barrio Latino] (c/ Metinez de la Rosa, 18) 
Merengue (c/ Alhamar) 
Montuno (c/ Madre Riquelme, s/n.) 
Salsa (Pasaje Sócrates) 

==== club disco ====
Vogue, Calle Duquesa (indiepop/rock/80’s/electro) 

==== concert live ====
[http://www.plantabaja.net Planta baja] 
[http://www.tertuliagranada.com La Tertulia]/ 
Sala industrial Copera; carretera de Armilla, junto autovia, Armilla,Granada 
[http://www.industrialcopera.net Industrial Copera]/ 

==== Nightclubs / discotecas ====
[http://www.granadamarcha.com/Mae%20West.htm Mae west] (zona neptuno) 
[http://www.acrssalsa.com/granada10 Granada 10] 
Ls Sugarpop, calle Gran Capitán, 25 
El Camborio, camino del Sacromonte, 47 
El Príncipe, campo del príncipe 
La Quilombo, carril de San Cecilio, 21 
El Tren, carretera antigua de Málaga 
El Afrodisia 
Boogaclub, calle Sta Bárbara, 3 

==== Summer night clubs / Discoteca de verano ====
? El Embrujo (cerca de Otura) ?

=== Local holydays / Ferias locales ===
Semana santa 
Corpus christi 
Fiesta del Agua, lanjaron (fin de junio) 
Noche de san Juan (21 junio, a la playa) 
El día de la Toma (2 de enero, cuando los reyes católicos tomaban la ciudad de Granada)

=== Ski snowboard in the sierra / Esquiar en la Sierra Nevada ===
http://www.cetursa.es/ 

=== Hiking / Senderismo ===
hay un montón de rutas de senderismo en la sierra nevada. 
Monachil (8km de granada) 
Dilar 
En las Alpujarras...etc 
No olvida la reglas de seguridad, son rutas de alta montaña! 

They are plenty of hiking routes in the sierra Nevada, Books can be bought in Corte Ingles, and maps in hicking/mountain shops, but it’s better to go with people who knows the routes. 
Monachil (8km de granada) 
Dilar 
En las Alpujarras...etc 
Don’t forget the security rules in high mountains! 

===CS activities / Actividades CS ===
Mira al google agenda 
see google Calendar 

===specialities of Granada / productos de Granada===
No olvida de descubrir y probar la productos de la provincia de Granada: 
Don't forget to discover the tipical products of Granada: 
Jamón de Trevelez IGP 
Miel de Granada DOP 
Aceite de oliva del Poniente de Granada DOP 
Espárrago de Huetor Tájar IGP 
vinos de la Tierra Norte de Granada 
(thanks to Anna-Gwen for all those info ;) ) 

--Thanks to Segis 
--Thanks to J-F Q 
Marco ( mihiku @ gmail.com )

Spain

2012-12-28T18:03:52Z

The juanderer: added Granada (does that automatically create the page?)

{{Country header
|country = Spain
|region = Europe
|csgroup = 246
|places = [[Barcelona]] • [[Bilbao]] • [[Granada]] • [[Las Palmas]] • [[Madrid]] • [[Málaga]] • [[Murcia]] • [[Palma de Mallorca]] • [[Seville]] • [[Valencia]] • [[Zaragoza]]
|toplinks =
|wikipedia = Spain
|hitchwiki = Spain
|wikitravel = Spain
|image = Flag of Spain.svg
|imagetext =‎ Flag of Spain
}}

Spain is a country in [[Europe]].

{{stub}}

Spain

2012-12-28T18:03:42Z

The juanderer: added Granada (does that automatically create the page?)

{{Country header
|country = Spain
|region = Europe
|csgroup = 246
|places = [[Barcelona]] • [[Bilbao]] •• [[Granada]] • [[Las Palmas]] • [[Madrid]] • [[Málaga]] • [[Murcia]] • [[Palma de Mallorca]] • [[Seville]] • [[Valencia]] • [[Zaragoza]]
|toplinks =
|wikipedia = Spain
|hitchwiki = Spain
|wikitravel = Spain
|image = Flag of Spain.svg
|imagetext =‎ Flag of Spain
}}

Spain is a country in [[Europe]].

{{stub}}

Valencia

2012-12-28T17:56:01Z

The juanderer: initial copying of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Valencia

[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Comunidad_Valenciana]]

'''Valencia''' is the capital city of The Land of Valencia and the third largest city in [[Spain]].
We are going to make you love our town!


'''Note: As events and people are in constant motion, we kindly invite you to double-check any piece of information you're about to read on this page. Our team can't guarantee how accurate the information we're providing will remain through Time. Thanks for bearing with us and have a great CS trip!'''

==WELCOME TO VALENCIA==
How can I get to Valencia? What can I do? What can I see? Start checking out info.
You may take a look at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zi6LW8djk4 this] or [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyf599cJ0BE this] videoclips with nice music from valencian artists and some pictures from the city.

===Weather===
Weather in Valencia is mild.
[http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/valencia-id46250 Weather forecast.]

===History===
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valencia,_Spain City history] @ Wikipedia.

==INFORMATION==
===Emergency number===

In case of '''emergency'''(Police, Fire, Ambulance,...) please call [http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/112/index_en.htm '''112'''].

===Internet Access & international calls===

'''• Locutorios'''

You can find ''locutorios'' everywhere, in which you can surf the internet, make cheap international calls, send or receive faxes. Prices aren't fixed in some locutorios, you can try out you bartering skills in Spanish!

'''• WIFI for free'''

:- In museums ([http://www.ivam.es/ ''IVAM''], ...)

:- In associations ([http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=valencia+colega&fb=1&hq=colega&hnear=valencia&cid=0,0,7855908809294916242&ei=jNOUS9meB42h4Qal69iNDQ&ved=0CB0QnwIwAg&ll=39.476154,-0.380487&spn=0.010402,0.022724&z=16&iwloc=A ''COLEGA'']'''(computers are provided)''', ...)

:- In hostels ([http://maps.google.es/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=valencia+backpackers&fb=1&gl=es&hq=backpackers&hnear=Valencia&ei=HE3IS8m7Mc3l-Qagscz3Cg&ved=0CBsQtgMwAA&ll=39.479931,-0.376883&spn=0.035377,0.073299&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=13036152340941597093 Home backpackers], '''(computers are provided)''', ...)

:- In crappy places (McDonalds, ...)

:- In bars (loads in the city center, El Carmen Area - just enter and ask.)

:- Others: [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Street+Calixto+III,+10,+valencia&sll=23.129075,113.264423&sspn=0.979999,1.766052&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+de+Calixto+III,+10,+46008+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana,+Espa%C3%B1a&t=h&z=16 ''Tango y Truco'']: Street Calixto III, 10, Juan Llorens area.

===Laundry===

:- Neighbohrood ''El Carmen'' - [http://www.thelaundrystop.es/ ''The Launtry Stop'']

:- 4 Laundries in the town - choose the closest to you [http://www.lavaexpres.com/ ''LavaExpres'']

===Medical Services===
[http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=cips+valencia&fb=1&hq=cips&hnear=valencia&cid=17974294934499123378 ''CIPS'']- Centro de Informacion y Prevencion del Sida (Aids Info and Prevention Center) - '''Free, anonymous and confidential HIV/AIDS tests'''

===Libraries, Bookshops...===
You can drop and get free books here: [http://www.bookcrossing-spain.org/zonasoficiales/#a47 Bookcrossing Valencia]. [http://www.bookcrossing.com/ What is BookCrossing?]

'''• Libraries:'''

A map with all the public libraries in Valencia: [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=biblioteca+valencia&sll=39.472643,-0.380316&sspn=0.025707,0.055189&ie=UTF8&hq=biblioteca&hnear=Valencia&z=13 Public Libraries Valencia]

'''• Bookshops:'''

Valencia has a large variety of bookshops all around the city. [http://fnac.es/ FNAC] on Calle Guillem de Castro, 9-11 is a good place to start. Just in front of the trainstation you find Libreria Soriano.

You can also choose a mix of a library with bookshoop and coffeeshop. Here are some options:

:- Ubik Ruzafa : [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=C%2FLiterato+Azor%C3%ADn,+13,+Valencia,+Spain+46006&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+del+Literato+Azor%C3%ADn,+13,+46006+Valencia,+Spain&t=h&z=16 Calle Literato Azorín, 13]

:- Ubik El Carmen: [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Calle+Baja+30,+valencia&sll=45.421091,3.715115&sspn=23.945448,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+Baja,+30,+46003+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&z=16 Calle Baja, 30]

:- Slaughterhouse: [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Calle+de+Denia,+22,+Valencia&sll=39.477449,-0.379521&sspn=0.006426,0.013797&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+de+Denia,+22,+46006+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&z=16 Calle Denia, 22]

'''• Map shops (including mountains, other regions...):'''

A good map shop and travel book shop is [http://www.libreriapatagonia.com/ Libreria Patagonia], Calle Hospital, 1
Also you can find a lot of maps and travel guides in FNAC(see Bookshops section). If you are looking for mountain map check [http://www.deportesaitana.com/ Deportes Aitana Shop] on Avenida Perez Galdos 100 or [http://www.tiendalaventura.com Desportes L'Aventura] (behind of La Lonja de la Seda)

===Post Offices===

The Post Office in spanish is named Correos. All the information you need you find it on their website [http://www.correos.es/dinamic/plantillas/home1.asp Correos.]
For sending heavy luggage instead of flying with it, consider using them or other [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Valencia#Getting_your_luggage transport agencies].

==SIGHTSEEING==

you might be interested in the [http://www.diariodelviajero.com/museos/valencia-tourist-card-transporte-publico-y-descuentos-para-turistas Valencia Tourist Card] -also available for [http://www.diariodelviajero.com/espana/vlc-cruise-card-tarjeta-turistica-de-valencia-pensada-para-cruceristas cruises] and [http://www.diariodelviajero.com/espana/tarjetas-de-descuento-para-viajar-por-espana other cities in Spain].

===Orientation===

Valencia is a compact city and easy to discover by foot. Because of the two official languages Valencian and Spanish finding a street may turn in to a confusing task as some of them have the name written in Valencian and others in Spanish. Some important word to know are: Street - Calle(Spanish) - Carrer (Valencian) / Avenue - Avenida(Spanish) - Avinguda(Valencian).
Free maps and info can be obtained from the tourist offices around the town. You can find a list here : [http://en.comunitatvalenciana.com/tourist-info/2?nombre=&zona=4&zona_value=4&municipio=250_46&results=1&subform_build_ids=Array&op=Buscar&form_id=oficinas_turismo_form Tourist Offices in Valencia]

===Classical===

Just take a look here on the [http://wikitravel.org/en/Valencia#See ''WikiTravel page''] and make an idea about the things you can see in Valencia.

===Alternative===
Here's a quick guide of [http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Alternative_Travel Alternative tourism.]

If you want to visit the Valencia that's not on the guide books you should go and see the old neighborhoods Benimaclet, Cabanyal and Ruzafa. Just go, walk, talk with the people and enjoy the beautiful arhitecture. Try to see the full landscape and visit also the south-american, african, east-european or maroccan shops or bars. With a smile, nice attitude and some common-sense you will meet beautiful people and hear nice stories about the city. Is nothing better while traveling then taking your time to transform for a day or more in a local and discover the city.

===One day in Valencia===

Plaza del Virgen is the perfect place to begin a day in Valencia. From here you can visit the square's church and the free art galleries in the area. Visit Plaza de la Reina where is Valencia's cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, this cathedral is where you can see the Holy Grail, the cup Christ drank from at the Last Supper. Check out Plaza del Ayuntamiento and the Post Office building 'Correos', it has a precious glass roof. The square is dominated by an enormous fountain and is also where you can see some of the city's most beautiful buildings. When you are tired go,relax and drink an Horchata [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Horchater%C3%ADa+Chocolater%C3%ADa+Santa+Catalina,+Valencia,+Espa%C3%B1a&sll=39.473533,-0.375488&sspn=0.001607,0.003449&ie=UTF8&hq=Horchater%C3%ADa+Chocolater%C3%ADa+Santa+Catalina,&hnear=Valencia,+Espa%C3%B1a&ll=39.478804,-0.376024&spn=0.012024,0.027595&t=h&z=15&iwloc=A here.] Get lost on the small streets of the old city and visit Mercado Central. At noon go to eat a paella at El Rall, Calle Tundidores, no.2, close to Mercado Central.
Hop on one of the buses bound for Ciudad de las Artes de las Ciencas, Europe's largest urban complex. You can't leave Valencia without seeing these futuristic buildings. If you still have time hop on again on a bus and go to the beach. Don't forget to visit the Cabanyal neighboorhood.
Get the night going in one of Valencia's numerous tapas bars to whet your appetite. You can choose [http://www.qype.co.uk/explore/place_vicinity/287531-Bar-de-los-montaditos-gratis-Valencia El Bar De Los Montaditos Gratis]. Take a look on our leisure section and choose how you want to end the night.

You can check [http://g.co/maps/n3qf4 this map] with interesting places.

==SLEEPING==
Please use [http://www.couchsurfing.org/tips.html standard procedure] for couch request.
'''Don't post couch request at the Valencia general forum'''.
For emergency couch request, use [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=26264 ''Last Minute Couch Request''] or the new [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=26264&post=10849825#gpid10849825'' Open CouchRequest''].

Bad luck? Your CS cry for help didn't work out? You can still sleep somewhere for a fairly cheap price:

'''• Hostels'''

''' Use [http://www.tripadvisor.com Trip Advisor] to compare Hostels quality. A great travelling tool!'''

:- [http://maps.google.es/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=valencia+backpackers&fb=1&gl=es&hq=backpackers&hnear=Valencia&ei=HE3IS8m7Mc3l-Qagscz3Cg&ved=0CBsQtgMwAA&ll=39.479931,-0.376883&spn=0.035377,0.073299&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=13036152340941597093 Backpackers hostel]

:- Official Youth Hostel network [http://www.reaj.com/albergues-espana.asp#val REAJ] website.

:- Home (Plaza Dr. Collado) Nice views at the city center.

:- [http://www.nesthostelsvalencia.com/red/nest-youth-hostel-valencia-index-en.php Nest youth hostel.]

:- [http://www.likeathome.net Like At Home]

:- [http://www.indigohostel.com/ Indigo hostel]

:- [http://www.bedbreakfastinternational.com/english/canoini.html B&B Mare de Deu Cánovas] and [http://www.bedbreakfastinternational.com/english/jardini.html B&B Mare de Deu Jardines del Real]

If your budget is gone, or you have a morning flight and don't want to waste your money on taxi, you can always go and sleep in the airport which is opened 24H. Check when the last metro goes to the airport, because the airport is located at 10 km outside the city (metro schedules [http://www.metrovalencia.es/tools_horarios.php# here]).

'''• Hotels'''

[http://www.hotelvenecia.com Hotel Venecia]. Cheap and new hotel in the very city center - plaza del Ayuntamiento.

[http://www.hotel-carmenvalencia.com Hotel del Carmen]. Very nice hotel located 80m away from Torres de Serranos. 60-80€ double room.

'''• Camping sites'''

:- [http://www.cma.gva.es/cidam/montes/sendaverde/ficha.asp?idLugar=317 Portaceli]. Nice, free camp site, 8km away from [http://maps.google.es/maps?saddr=Carrer+de+Jos%C3%A9+S%C3%A1ez%2FCV-310%2FCV-3351&daddr=39.6479088850876,+-0.4753470624665587+(Portacoeli)&hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=39.643173,-0.467176&spn=0.035095,0.055189&sll=39.597389,-0.464087&sspn=0.017559,0.027595&geocode=FWscXAIdGgX5_w%3BFaX6XAIdLb_4_w&mra=me&mrsp=0&sz=15&t=h&z=14 Bétera metro station] and 23 from the city.

:- [http://www.cma.gva.es/cidam/montes/sendaverde/ficha.asp?idLugar=242 Santo Espíritu]. Nice, free camp site.

:- Commercial [http://www.campingsonline.com/espana/ComunidadValenciana/Valencia/ campings] directory.

==WHAT TO DO==

If you are in a short visit, you can leave your luggage in the lockers ("consignas") at the train or bus station. It's a pretty safe place.

===Guides===

These guides are AWESOME. You can usually find printed versions around universities (Blasco Ibañez) and in the whole town, keep your eyes peeled!

:- [http://www.au-agenda.com/es/valencia/agenda Agenda Urbana]

:- [http://www.balencia.org BALENCIA - Alternative City Guide]

:- [http://www.laguiago.com/valencia/ La Guia GO]

===City Tours===
[http://www.valenciabusturistic.com Roofless bus] with several stops at turistic places. You can get off at one point and get the next bus with the same ticket.

:- [http://www.turiart.com Guided tours]

===Culture===

'''[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=110828085676261208649.000481702fef58a0b566e Overall cultural map of Valencia]''' (not updated)

:- [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/infociudad_accesible.nsf/vDocumentosWebListado/8CBD998D7BDFE96BC12572C20023FDA1?OpenDocument&bdOrigen=ayuntamiento%2FInfociudad_accesible.nsf&idapoyo=&lang=1 ''Centro Cultural La Beneficiencia''] (museum). '''> Free entrance.'''
This museum shows several exhibitions, and hosts the Prehistoric Museum and others.

:- [http://www.muvim.es/ ''MUVIM''] (Valencian Museum of Enlightenment and Modern Age). '''> Free entrance.''' Exhibitions, talks, concerts, workshops, library, film shows.

:- [http://www.ivam.es/ ''IVAM''] (Valencian Institute of Modern Art). '''> Free on sundays''', 2€ the rest of the week. Exhibitions, talks, concerts, workshops, library, film shows.

:- [http://www.mhv.com.es/cas/index.php ''Museo de Historia de Valencia''] (Valencian History Museum). '''2€'''

:- [http://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es/ ''Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia''] (Valencian Museum of Fine Arts) '''-> Free entrance''' , The most important gallery of Valencia, a spanish referent on ancient masters painting. The museum have Velazquez, Murillo, Juan de Valdes, Sorolla, Van Dyck... [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museo_de_Bellas_Artes_de_Valencia]

:- [http://www.museoliber.org/Centro_Cultural_LIber/Inicio.html ''L'IBER: Museo de los soldaditos de plomo''] (The Iberian: Tin Soldiers Museum) '''4€ normal/ 2,80€ childrens,seniors,students, non-workers and groups''' -> More than 85.000 tin soldiers representing a lot of significative battles. historical building.

:- [http://www.cac.es/?languageId=1 ''Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias''] (City of Arts & Sciences). An entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciudad_de_las_Artes_y_las_Ciencias ''Important information about the areas'']. The place contains some museums,etc...

:- [http://www.museoarrozvalencia.com/ ''Museo del Arroz''] (Rice Museum). '''2€''' The rice is so important in the valencian gastronomy. Really rare and interesting place. Historical Building

:- [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/museo_cnaturales.nsf/ ''Museo de Ciencias Naturales''] (Natural Science Museum). '''2€''' . A great hidden museum in the heart of one of the largest valencian gardens, Los Viveros.

:- [http://obrasocial.bancaja.es/institucional/centros/centros-ficha.aspx?id=3 ''Centro Cultural Bancaja''] (Bancaja Cultural Center) '''-> Free entrance''' Art exhibitions, conferences, studyroom and shop.

:- [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/infociudad_accesible.nsf/vDocumentosWebListado/6F7B283742F84C0AC12572C20023FE0B?OpenDocument&bdOrigen=ayuntamiento/laciudad.nsf&idapoyo=7A56E0AFD4368CBFC12571A900268CE5&nivel=5&lang=1 ''Museo del Patriarca''] (Patriarch Museum) '''1,20€'''. Historical Building, it contains a large art collection. s.XVI/XVII paintings (flemish, spanish, el Greco, Italian...), antiquities (like a manuscript by Thomas More), important relics, etc...

:- [http://www.museotaurinovalencia.es/home.html?event=wbe_i18n_change_lang&change_language=en ''Museo Taurino''] (Bullfighting Museum of Valencia). '''> Free entrance.''' [http://www.museotaurinovalencia.es/en__horarios.html - Opening hours -]. Regarding bulls, even if most Valencia CSers are against bullfighting, you can find some spectacles qhere the bull is not hurted: "el correbous" (people run ahead of bulls), and "recortadores" or retallador (they wait for the bull till the very last second to jump or move and not being caught).

:- [http://www.salaparpallo.com/en__index.html ''Sala Parpalló''] (exhibition hall) [http://www.salaparpallo.com/en__situacion.html - Opening hours -]

:- [http://www.uv.es/cultura/c/links/espaciosnave ''LA NAU''] ("THE BUILDING/WAREHOUSE") '''FREE ENTRANCE''' -> Old University Of Valencia, now reconverted as an exhibition hall, is one of the most important places (not in the travel guides) in the city. Despite the terrible webpage, it's one of the most active museums/concert halls in Valencia: art, exhibitions, drama, visual poetry, cinema, courses, conferences, special events, music (every wednesday at 19:30 free high level classical music concert), chapel, paranymph, courses, historical old library, cafeteria, bookshop, etc... (See all on "Actividades", in the webpage)

:- [http://www.museuprehistoriavalencia.es/ ''Museo de prehistoria de Valencia''] (Prehistoric museum of Valencia) [http://www.museuprehistoriavalencia.es/horarios.html - Opening hours - ]

:- [http://www.museuvalenciaetnologia.es/inicio.html?event=wbe_i18n_change_lang&lng=en ''Museo Valenciano de Etnología''] (Ethnological Museum of Valencia) [http://www.museuvalenciaetnologia.es/en__horarios.html - Opening hours -]

:- [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/almoina08.nsf/vDocumentosTituloAux/Inicio?opendocument&lang=1&nivel=1 La Almoina]. Roman and iberic ruins in the city center.

:- [http://www.octubre.cat ''OCTUBRE Centre Cultura Contemporánea''] '''-> FREE ENTRANCE''' (Centre/Museum of Contemporary Art & Culture) Exhibitions, classes, cinema, cafeteria, concerts, activities, talks.

:- [http://tiendas.fnac.es/san-agustin/ ''FNAC''] Why on earth FNAC is standing in the cultural section? Well, because there's a nice bunch of events there such as concerts (almost every saturday and sunday), exhibitions, film shows and way more! '''> Almost everything is free''' Check out their [http://tiendas.fnac.es/san-agustin/ monthly program]

:- [http://www.circuitocafeteatro.com/circuito/san-miguel-valencia ''Cafe Teatro''] Some informal theater, stand-up comedy, performances, etc... Normally at nice, small pubs, the usual price is 5€ (including a drink), but sometimes it's free. Keep in mind that language is spanish! Even if you don't understand it, maybe you can be a part of the act and have a lot of fun.

:- [http://kafcafe.blogspot.com/ Caf Cafe] Music, poetry...

===Festival & Events===

'''• In the city (Valencia)'''

:- Valencia is known for [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falles Las Fallas], a famous local festival in March.

:- In july there's the [http://www.feriadejulio.com Feria de Julio] that includes fireworks, music concerts, exhibitions...

:- There are also a number of well preserved Catholic fiestas throughout the year. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Week Holy week] celebrations in Valencia are considered the most colourful in Spain.

:- 24th of June - [http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/fiestas/sanjuan.asp San Juan Night]

:- Jornadas internacionales de guitarra de Valencia - [http://www.jornadasdeguitarra.com]

'''• In the region (the Valencian community)'''

:- La [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomatina Tomatina], an annual tomato fight, draws crowds to the nearby town of Buñol in August. Please use the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=52387 La Tomatina 2012 subgroup].

:- [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moros_y_cristianos Moros i Cristians], all around the Comunitat but the ones in Alcoy are Unesco World Heritage).

:- [http://www.lacordadepaterna.es/index.php Cordà de Paterna]. Firecrackers as you've never seen -and heard- before.

:- [http://mas.levante-emv.com/canales/pueblos-en-fiestas/component/k2/item/989-el-ruido-y-la-p%C3%B3lvora-conquistan-torrent.html La Trabucà], july in Torrent.

:- [http://fiberfib.com/ Festival internacional de Benicassim], music festival in July.

===Leisure===
'''Cinema'''

:- [http://www.cinestudiodor.es ''Cinestudio d'or''] The oldest and cheapest cinema in Valencia '''> 2,50€ for 2 movies each tuesday''', 3€ the rest of the week. Movies are spanish dubbed version.

:- [http://www.ivac-lafilmoteca.es/pagina.asp?idpag=14, ''Filmoteca Valencia''] , right in the city center in front of the town hall, is cheap (ticket around 1.5 euros) has good old and new movies, and a important detail '''with subtitles in the original audio version.'''

:- [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&q=Calle+de+Jos%C3%A9+Benlliure,+193,+46011+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=6.491761,14.128418&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FeBDWgIdXvb6_w&split=0&hq=&hnear=Calle+de+Jos%C3%A9+Benlliure,+193,+46011+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&z=16 ''Samaruc''] this is not a real big cinema, but a great place to go and see a good movie '''every Wednesday at 9:00PM'''. Free entrance, cheap beer(1 EUR) and really great ambience. An opportunity to meet locals and to see an old maritime village.

:- [http://www.ugc.es ''UGC''] Modern, medium sized cinema with some Original Version movies. Interesting prices.

'''• Nigtlife '''

''Most of the bars in Spain open around 10:00PM, and get crowdy at 12:00AM. ''
''The places where you go to dance, clubs or discos, usually get crowded around 02:00AM or 03:00AM.''
''If it's some '''live music''' you want to listen to and see, take a look at the '''culture chapter'''.''

'''• Are you looking for some places with rock music ?'''

Take a look here at this listing: [http://www.manerasdevivir.com/bares.php?provinciasel=Valencia Rock Bars and Clubs in Valencia]

'''• Students, young crowd and indie/spanish indie music ?

Here is a listing with some popular places: [http://www.guiaindie.com/detalle.php?id_ciudad=35 Indie/ Spanish Indie Music Bars/Clubs]

'''• In mood for salsa ?'''

:- Asucar, ''Calle del Beato Nicolás Factor'', 12 [http://www.asucar.es ''Asucar Webpage'']

:- Noches de Salsa, [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Avenida+Ecuador,+69&sll=39.461956,-0.383536&sspn=0.102844,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Av+del+Ecuador,+69,+46025+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&ll=39.493643,-0.390744&spn=0.01285,0.027595&z=15 ''Avenida Ecuador, 69'']

:- Cuba mia, the right place if you want to dance a cuban salsa with great atmosphere, [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Calle+de+Alcira+12&sll=39.493643,-0.390744&sspn=0.01285,0.027595&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Calle+de+Alcira,+12,+46007+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&z=16 ''Calle de Alcira 12"]

:- 'Take care with' [http://www.vivirvalencia.com/ocio/son-caribe-salsa '''Son Caribe Salsa'''] it can be an interesting experience, but common sense must be used to avoid conflicts.

'''• Flamenco'''

:- [http://www.cafedelduende.com Café del duende], nice flamenco by semi-pros, 6€ drink included.

:- [http://http://www.laclaca.com La Claca], 8€ including drink.

'''• Gay pubs'''

:-Most gay bars ("bares de ambiente" in spanish) are in the El Carmen area. Venial, ADN or Deseo 54 are just a few examples.

===Sports & Nature===
:- [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=16208 CS Sports group in Valencia.]

There are some nice spots you can visit near Valencia. Remember that [http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Valencia#Using_bikes some restrictions] apply to bike transport on metro.

:- ''El Saler beach.'' Starting at the Ciutat de les Arts i Les Ciencies there's a bike path that reaches the beach, some small forest and L'Albufera.

:- ''Turia River.'' Starting at the Parc de Capçalera there's a path that reaches Villamarxant following the Turia River.

:- ''La Vallesa Forest.'' The [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=39.537761,-0.498004&daddr=&geocode=&hl=es&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=14&sll=39.531055,-0.490179&sspn=0.032504,0.055189&dirflg=w&doflg=ptk&ie=UTF8&ll=39.538933,-0.517731&spn=0.0325,0.055189&t=h&z=14 Vallesa metro station] is in the very middle of a small forest. Nice & flat walks, the Turia river is reachable from there.

:- ''La Serra Calderona.'' Nice trecks and bike routes. The closest tram station is Betera. A good start point is El Pla de Lucas and the Cartuja de Portaceli, located at some 8km from the metro station. The map is [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Calle+de+Jos%C3%A9+Saez%2FCV-310%2FCV-3351&daddr=CV-331+to:CV-331&geocode=FUgdXAIdjAL5_w%3BFTQwXQId9Kn4_w%3BFcqAXQIdHLn4_w&hl=es&mra=ls&dirflg=w&sll=39.667292,-0.471725&sspn=0.03244,0.055189&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=12 here.]

===Eating & Drinking===

:- [http://www.frescco.es/ ''FrescCo''] (all-you-can-eat restaurant) Cheap vegetarian food.

:- [http://www.necobuffet.com/ '' NECO Buffet''] (all-you-can-eat restaurant) Good food, big variety - 10 EUR/person(drinks are not included but are reasonable priced)

:- [http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=100+montaditos+valencia&fb=1&hq=100+montaditos&hnear=Valencia,+Spain&ei=RkuVS4qfI4b64AaK-4H_DA&ved=0CBIQtgMwAA&ll=39.472775,-0.377269&spn=0.020804,0.045447&z=15 ''100 montaditos''] (Tapas bar) 2 places in the city-center where you can eat those little toasts. Kinda half-way between fast-food and traditional. '''> Each Wednesday, everything for 1€ (toast, beer, fries...)'''

:- [http://valencia.lanetro.com/comida-rapida/la-vaca-verde-20321837 ''La vaca verde''] (Tapas bar) Very tasty and typical tapas, fresh Alhambra beer.

:- [http://www.qype.co.uk/explore/place_vicinity/287531-Bar-de-los-montaditos-gratis-Valencia El bar de las tapas gratis]. Get a free tapa in each beer.

'''• Paella''': The traditional Paella is a must. Locals eat it ONLY for lunch -never for dinner ;)- Some places where you can taste it:

:- [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=es&geocode=&q=Plaza+Picadero+Dos+Aguas,+3+-+46002+Valencia&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=6.491761,14.128418&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Plaza+del+Picadero+de+Dos+Aguas,+3,+46002+Valencia,+Comunidad+Valenciana&ll=39.47176,-0.375304&spn=0.000402,0.000862&t=h&z=20 ''La Uteliana''], behind the Palace of the Marques de Dos Aguas. Home made food at a reasonable price.

:- ''El Rall'', close Mercado Central. Good and not too expensive.

:- [http://www.restaurantebonaire.com ''Restaurante Bonaire''], at El Palmar. Good but expensive paella (some 25€)

:- ''L'eriço'' in paseo Neptuno (Malvarrosa beach, close to Neptuno tram stop). Good paella with views to the beach for the reasonable price of 15 euros per menu during workdays.

'''• Vegetarian restaurants'''

:- [http://www.copenhagenvalencia.com/ ''Copenhagen'']
:- [http://www.restauranteanaeva.es/ ''Anaeva'']
:- [http://www.kimpira.es/ ''Kimpira'']

===Shopping===

==COURSES - WORKSHOPS - REGULAR MEETINGS==
===CouchSurfing Weekly meetings===


:- There is a '''weekly Couchsurfing meeting every Thursday''' at [http://www.bar-lospicapiedra.com/mapa.html Los Picapiedra bar], Caballeros 25 (El Carmen). Some pics [http://menturbacion.tumblr.com/post/11139348417/los-picapiedra-buscando-bar here].
We have special discounts between 20h and 00h and you can bring your own food

:- You can check [[:csgroup:1259|the Valencia group]] on CS to keep up to date with Valencia CS activities. It is always a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on.

===CouchSurfing Exploring Wednesdays===
'''Valencia's new weekly meeting.''' Every Wednesday a new venue is chosen and all CouchSurfers meet there. The idea behind the ""Exploring Wednesdays"" is to build a huge database for the wiki with reviews from many different spots in the city. Check [[:csgroup:1259|the Valencia group]] on CS to look for this week's ""Exploring Wednesdays"" thread.

===Language Exchange Meetings===
Please use the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=14498 Languaje Exchange subgroup].

:- "Valencia Language Exchange" (English, german, french and italian). Organized by CSers, We meet in a bar Seven/Big Beng, Plaza honduras, Meetings are every Monday, Thursday and Sunday at 8pm, Language exchange and Quiz.

:- Italian/Spanish/English lang. exchange at Miobio every monday at Galilao Galilei 18.30h (UPV)

:- [http://www.portlandalehouse.com/PAH/Welcome.html Portland Language Exchange], Calle Salamanca, 10 - every Wednesday starting with 08:00PM. On sunday there is a english "language quiz game".

:- Taronja lang. exchange every monday @ 19.00h Ubik Café (Ruzafa)

===Workshops===

'''• Learn how to repair your bicycle:'''
Just get in touch with these members on CS [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=1259&post=5088951 Taller Bici]

===Courses===
[http://www.cfp.upv.es/formacion-permanente/index/index.jsp Centro de Formacion Posgrado of the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia]. Wide, cheap catalog.

===Spanish Courses===
:- [http://www.route66idiomas.com/ Route 66] managed by dutch people. Accommodation available.

:- [http://www.hispania-valencia.com Hispania.]

:- [http://www.taronjaschool.com Taronja]

:- [http://www.costadevalencia.com Costa de Valencia]

:- [http://www.doyouspeakspanish.eu/ Do You speak Spanish.] Small groups, Intensive course 3h/day for 2 weeks: 99€

==GETTING AROUND==
The region has many places to visit. You can download a detailed PDF map of the Comunidad Valenciana [http://www.cit.gva.es/fileadmin/conselleria/images/Documentos/carreteras/mapas/CVmapa.pdf here].

===From/to airport===
You can get from the airport ("aeroport") to the city center by bus, subway ("metro") and taxi.

'''• BUS:'''
Route 150 Valencia-Airport
Timetable:
from 05.25 to 23:55.
Price:
Regular fare: 1.20 Euro. 65-year-old major persons: 0.85 Euro.

'''• SUBWAY('METRO'):'''
There are two underground lines which link the airport, the city centre and the port:
Line 3. Rafelbunyol-Aeroport
Line 5. Marítim Serrería - Torrent Av. / Aeroport

:- [http://www.metrovalencia.es/moverse-con-metrovalencia-horarios?page=143 Metro Timetables]

:- [http://www.metrovalencia.es/moverse-con-metrovalencia-billetes?page=149 Metro Ticket Price]

'''• TAXI:'''
Stops:
opposite arrivals.
Price:
From the airport to the city centre, approximately 14 Euro - 16 Euro.
Radio Taxi Manises:
961 521 155
Radio Taxi Valencia:
963 703 333
Telephone Teletaxi:
963 571 313

===Use bikes!===
One of the best way to discover Valencia and surroundings is by bike. Take care and lock your bike every time on bike parking places as bike robbery is very common.

:- [http://es.ridethecity.com/valencia Ride the city Valencia:] Handy on-line map with useful info for bikers (safest/fastest routes, shops...)

Bikes can be carried into the subway for free. But there are some restrictions on weekdays and Saturday afternoon, when you cannot use "underground" lines - just trams. More info [http://www.metrovalencia.es/metro/?page_id=103 here.]

There are some [http://www.metrovalencia.es/page.php?page=147 touristic routes outside Valencia] reachable by tram.

'''• RENT A BIKE:'''

:- [http://www.valenbisi.es Public bikes network] Still at an early stage, but sounds promising with fares starting at 18€/year or 10€/week (good option if you stay more than 2 days and you want to move around). Pay attention that only the first 30 min of every ride are free, after this they will charge you. Just park the bike in a station every half an hour and than take it again to avoid paying extra.

:- [http://www.doyoubike.com/ ''Do You Bike''] From 2EUR/hour, 3 rental-points in the city

:- [http://www.orangebikes.net/menuenglish.html ''Orange Bikes'']

:- [http://www.valenciabikes.com/en/ ''Valencia Bikes''] From 5EUR/hour, 2 rental-points in the city

'''• BUY YOUR OWN BIKE:'''

If you stay more in Valencia and you want to buy a second hand bike you can search online for one:

:- [http://valencia.loquo.com/en_us ''Loquo'']

:- [http://www.ebayanuncios.es/ ''Ebay Anuncios'']

:- [http://www.segundamano.es/ ''Segunda Mano'']

:- [http://www.biciutat.es ''BiciCiutat''] New and Second-hand bikes

:- [http://bicicletasbelga.com ''Bicicletas Belga''] specialized in medium and high-end bikes and accesories.

'''PLEASE DO NOT BUY BICYCLES FROM THE SUNDAY MARKET NEAR MESTALLA FOOTBALL STADIUM AS ARE ALL STOLEN BIKES.'''

===Driving===
Valencia is almost a traffic free city and even the rush-hours do not last too much. If driving is easy, finding a parking space in the city center is an adventure. Underground parkings exist but prices are usually very high, you may pay up to 4 Euros for one hour. The ideal is to find a white parking space around your destination and from there to go by foot.

You can find some info about car renting from people [http://movomovo.com/como-funciona/ here] and [http://www.socialcar.com/como-funciona here].

===Public Transportation===
If you are decided not to walk or take a bicycle Valencia offers you a complete network of public transportation. At nighttime, your only public transportation choice is a few night buses or public bikes. You can find the routes, maps and schedules permanently updated on their websites:

'''• BUSES (EMT Valencia):'''

:- [http://www.emtvalencia.es/portal/Main?ISUM_Lang=2 EMT Valencia]

:- Here you have a short guide of how to get from one point of interest to another by bus: [http://www.emtvalencia.es/portal/Main?ISUM_ID=Center&ISUM_SCR=linkServiceScr&ISUM_CIPH=KG6y4mnqaLgjP4YPHqxgKBwmFTvXkiXS4ohdQ9RppKwP2DzY%2BuE8z2rNzwczuxvNMxzfuRGoG2iI%0AMUvSTgrWZp%2Bqc7g8t8jSN%2BeyLUwAv3oAWBPdCL6vyi49kIDFMrK9oLzMPUFdGtVCNkhIQBOWRut1%0A4btMp8xcUG1AesMhJbGaK/B2R/uXxjsOR9LIAh0lxGwD5GvwQ6smc1nw5T7qMFaVJEHQV%2BNbJRJh%0AEO3%2BKdO2OSltCBKJgTiNabzy28D3Ra6VGkNBBsWFdD%2B/MDAYxr4%2BrbzRcD2MKosSYzj6H67chvCZ%0ANvWUKN/OFyNudKx58ujaVrBsZFuunzypCEnBSUhB8nFpa7Z51 Valencia Short Transport Guide]

:- Inside the city boundaries, public buses are red. Some turistic spoots outside the city (Albufera, Alboraya, El Saler Beach etc ) can be reached by yellow buses.

'''• SUBWAY/UNDERGROUND/TUBE in spanish is ¨METRO¨ (tranvia the one going above ground):'''

:- [http://www.metrovalencia.es/page.php?idioma=_en Metro Valencia]

==GETTING THERE & AWAY==

Even if hitchhicking is not common in Spain, you can give it a try, or contact some website where drivers and passengers meet to share time and expenses. This is a cheap and green option, and besides, you can get in touch with local people. You can check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=25241 CS comparte viajes group] from Valencia or in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=51794 Spain], the
[http://www.viajamosjuntos.com/do_search.jsp Viajamos Juntos] website, [http://www.comuto.es Comuto carshare] website, [http://www.rideshare.co.uk/ Rideshark], [http://www.conduzco.es Conduzco.es], [http://www.amovens.com Amovens], [http://www.blablacar.com/ Blablacar] or the [http://viajabarato.org/ Viaja barato] website. More info -in Spanish- [http://www.motorpasionfuturo.com/coche-compartido/conduzcoes-y-otras-plataformas-de-coche-compartido-ride-sharing-en-espana here].

Please don't post carsharing request in the Valencia main group unless you're looking for a whole-trip partners.

Please think green and don't take planes unless necessary for short trips!

:- '''BUS Transportation''' all around Spain: [http://www.alsa.es ALSA] & [http://www.avanzabus.com/web/ AVANZA]

:- '''Train Transportation''' all around Spain: [http://www.renfe.es RENFE]

:- '''Ferry Transportation''' to Balearic Islands: [http://www.balearia.com BALEARIA], [http://www.iscomar.com/ ISCOMAR] & [http://www.trasmediterranea.es TRANSMEDITERRANEA]

From/To '''Madrid''':

'''• BUS:'''
:- From the Estación Sur (Metro Mendez Álvaro) buses depart every hour. Price: 27-33 euros. Time: about 4 hours. [http://www.avanzabus.com/web/ Avanza Website].
:- You can also check [http://www.alsa.es Alsa buses].

'''• TRAIN:''' From Estación de Atocha (metro Atocha). There are three kind of trains:
Standar (Alvia, Alaris) Price: 47 euros (sometimes there are special offers buying on-line). Faster, more comfortable, greener and safer than bus. The Valencia main train station (Valencia Nord) is located at the very center of the city. You can book [http://www.renfe.es/ here].

'''• "Regional" train''' with MANY stops. It's cheaper but it takes some 5.30 hours - The landscape through Cuenca Serrania is worth, you can give it a try if you are not in a hurry. Price: 23 euros

'''• Fast train (AVE)''' 90 minutes only for 350 Km. Check the "internet" or "Estrella" fares, cheapest if you book 15 days in advance for some trips.

'''• PLANE:''' You can check [http://www.ryanair.com/en Ryanair] low cost company. Beware that it charges extra for the luggage. Both Madrid and Valencia airports are reachable by subway, wich cost less than 2 euro.

==MOVING IN VALENCIA==
===Paperwork===
:- Getting Empadronamiento In Valencia: [http://www.valenciaconnect.com/showlevel1.asp?pid=8648 Empadronamiento Information]

:- Getting a NIE Number in Valencia: [http://www.valenciaconnect.com/showlevel1.asp?pid=8647 NIE Information]

:- Residency for Non EU Citizens in Spain: [http://www.valenciaconnect.com/showlevel1.asp?pid=8646 Non-EU Citizens Residency Information]

:- Residency for EU Citizens in Spain: [http://www.valenciaconnect.com/showlevel1.asp?pid=8645 EU Citizens Resindecy Information]

===Finding a house===
:- Please check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=20322 CS Valencia "Finding a House Group"]. Don't post in the main group.

:- [http://valencia.loquo.com/es_es Loquo]

:- [http://www.idealista.com/pagina/portada Idealista]

:- [http://www.appartamenti-valencia.it Appartamenti Valencia]. For short-term renting.

:- [http://www.enalquiler.com Enalquiler]

The main recommended areas are:

:- ''Benimaclet'': A former village, now it's been added to the city. Yet it still keeps some of its charm and quietness with few big buildings. Near the universities, you'll find many students in the area. Many cheap bars and good transport by metro and tram.

:- ''El Carmen'': The old city center, cute and with narrow streets. Few cars and close to the river (reconverted to a huge park nowadays). You'll find a bohemian spirit and overcrowding from Thursday till Sunday.

:- ''Ruzafa'': close to the city center, it's populated mostly by immigrants and students. Still has the look and feel of a traditional area with amazing mixture of ethnics, people and traditions. You'll find a intense cultural life with many libraries, coffee-shops, art galleries...

===Getting your luggage===
:- [http://www.sinmaletas.com SinMaletas]. Fine and cheap way to tranport your luggage.

:- [http://www.europarcel.co.uk/ Europarcel] Moving your luggage there&away

===Recycling===
:- [http://www.nolotiro.org Nolotiro.org] is a give-for-free website where you can give or ask for some stuff.

:- [http://www.valencia.es/ayuntamiento/infociudad_accesible.nsf/vListadoCategoriasWeb/8D253707872BD3D9C12572C200225540?OpenDocument&bdOrigen=&idapoyo=&nivel=8&lang=1 Ecoparques] list.

:- [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=17786 How to recycle wasted oil] post.

===Fair Trade Shops, eco, second hand...===
:- [http://www.puntdesabor.com Punt de Sabor]. Organic and local fresh products.

:- [http://www.setemcv.org SETEM] Next to Ruzafa Market, c/ Tomassos 14, wide variety of fair trade products. Closes on Satruday afternoon.

:- Ecomarket. Blasco Ibáñez, 66

:- Second hand clothes, fornitures... at a shop at the beggining of Alboraya Street.

:- [http://eldesvandeviviana.wix.com/eldesvandeviviana#!__sitio-web El desván de Viviana]

==DISCLAIMER==
This document has been made by volunteer work of many individuals in Valencia. It is published under the following [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Creative Commons licenses]:

'''[[http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike v3.0]]'''

"This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work '''non-commercially''', as long as '''they credit you''' and license their new creations under the identical terms."

''The Valencia CS community.''

Barcelona

2012-12-28T17:46:57Z

The juanderer: initial copying of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Barcelona

'''Barcelona''' is the capital city of Catalunya - [[Catalonia]] - and the second largest city in [[Spain]]. 
There's an active CS community. You can check [[:csgroup:497|the Barcelona group]] on CS to keep up to date with Barcelona CS activities.

==Welcome to Barcelona==
How can I get to Barcelona? What can I do? What can I see? How is the couchsurfing community here? Well, start reading! : )

Barcelona>Catalunya>Spain>Europe 
2º 7’ 42’’ E 
41º 24’ 42’’ N 
ALT. 12,5m (Pl. Sant Jaume) 
POP. 1.593.075 (2005)

Barcelona's short name is BARNA or BCN. If you refer to it as Barça, Barca (btw, it means 'boat' in English) or Barsa, you mean the football team. Arsenal is not London, Juventus is not Torino, Steaua is not Bucharest, CSKA is not Moscow... so Barça is not Barcelona :DDD Keep this in mind when you want to get in touch with locals :P

==Climate & Weather==
Planning a trip to Barcelona? [http://www.wordtravels.com/Cities/Spain/Barcelona/Climate Here] you have the monthly climate average with max and min temperature and monthly rainfall.

Already here in Barcelona? Just want to check the weather report? Several links:
[http://es.weather.yahoo.com/SPXX/SPXX0015/index_c.html Yahoo-Weather] | [http://www.bcn.cat/temps/english/ Barcelona's official website] |
[http://tiempo.meteored.com/weather/weather_Barcelona-Barcelona-Espana-Europa-LEBL-1.html weather at Meteored] | [http://www.tvcatalunya.com/eltemps/ Weather @ TV3]

==Getting here==

===Barcelona Airport===
Many companies fly to '''El Prat''' which is connected regularly to the city by a bus and a train service [http://www.renfe.es/cercanias/barcelona/index_horarios.html RENFE]).

El Prat is about 30 minutes by train to Sants train station. A single ticket is €3.

'''Updated info new Terminal'''
Terminal names has changed now we have T1(new one), and T2 (A-B-C Old one).

Barcelona airport passengers can easily travel between the two terminals on the shuttle bus service that will be in operation.

There will be two shuttle buses covering the distance between T1 and T2. From the Renfe (Cercanías/Rodalia) suburban train station, situated next to T2B, there will be a shuttle that coincides with train arrivals. At T2B there will be another shuttle service which departs every six or seven minutes. Neither shuttle takes longer than 10 minutes.

Aerobus lines, more info and timetable on [http://www.aerobusbcn.com/ Web]:
* Aerobus (A1) Airport (T1) - Plaza de Catalunya. T1 (departures and arrivals roadway) bus stop
* Aerobus (A2) Airport (T2) - Plaza de Catalunya. Opposite T2B (opposite the Joan Miró mural) and T2C

Metropolitan bus lines:

* L77 Sant Joan Despí-Airport. The bus stop is situated on arrivals roadway.
* L99 Castelldefels-Airport. The bus stop is situated on arrivals roadway.
* PR1 El Prat-Airport. The bus stop is situated on arrivals roadway.
* 46 Plaza España-Airport.
* N17 Plaza Catalunya-Airport.

Regional bus lines. The bus stops are situated on the arrivals roadway:

* Directbus. Airport-Estación de Sants (railway station)-Andorra-Sant Julià de Lòria.
* Empresa Plana. Airport-La Pineda-Salou-Port Aventura-Cambrils.
* Mon-Bus. Barcelona-El Vendrell.
* Rapid Aeroport (Alsa). Services for Girona, Figueres, Lleida, Reus, Port Aventura and Tarragona.
* Novatel Autocars. Airport-Andorra

Barcelona Airport transport info: [http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite?cid=1045569607503&pagename=subHome&SMO=1&SiteName=BCN&p=1045569607347&c=Page&MO=1&Language=EN_GB Getting there]

=== Girona Airport ===
Some low-cost carriers, notably Ryanair, use the airport in Girona, nearly 100km to the north, to connect Catalunya with Europe and Morocco. The Barcelona Bus service runs a shuttle bus from Estació del Nord in Barcelona to Girona Airport. A one-way ticket costs €12 and a return ticket costs €21. The journey takes approximately one hour and ten minutes. If you want to know the timetables of the buses from there check this page: [http://www.sagales.com/index.php?Origen=cp114&Desti=315&secc=cerca Horaris aeroport de Girona / Girona airport bus Timetables searcher]
[http://www.sagales.com/pubdocs/2093_aeroport-girona-costa-brava---barcelona-(estacio-nord)-2010-10-26.pdf Timetables Girona Airport to Barcelona]
[http://www.sagales.com/pubdocs/2094_barcelona-(estacio-nord)---aeroport-girona-costa-brava-2010-10-26.pdf Timetables Barcelona to Girona Airport]

Please report broken links, as we try to update as soon as they changed.

=== Reus Airport ===
For Reus airport, the easiest way is to take the train from Barcelona Sants station to Reus and then the local bus to the airport. The train costs €6.45 and then the bus costs €2. This takes roughly an hour and a half. Or there's another option: [http://www.igualadina.com/pdfs/REUS%20AIRPORT.pdf Bus] from Barcelona Sants station directly to Reus Airport.

You can also arrive to Barcelona by ferry, [http://www.barcelonanord.com bus], [http://www.renfe.es train]...

=== Hitch-hiking===
Check these websites: [http://en.hitchwiki.org/?title=Barcelona Hitchwiki Barcelona] |
[http://www.hitchbase.com/ergebnisse.php?LANG=eng&abfrage%5Bstartort%5D=164 Hitchbase Barcelona]
Although Spain is not an easy country for hitchhiking, and barcelona is a big city, it's quite easy getting a ride at one of the two gas stations reachable by local trains described at the links above.

=== Nitbus in Barcelona ===
* '''Nitbus''' Nitbus is the bus that works all night in all Barcelona Metropolitan area (Barcelona city and towns near Barcelona). Perfect for party-lovers who want to make most of the night!

All the night buses stop around Plaça Catalunya ([http://www.emt-amb.com/images/plazacat.jpg Map] | [http://www.emt-amb.com/planos/guiaBarcelona.pdf Guide]).

Routes and maps for the different buses:
* N0 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N0.pdf PDF])
* N1 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N1.pdf PDF])
* N2 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N2.pdf PDF])
* N3 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N3.pdf PDF])
* N4 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N4.pdf PDF])
* N5 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N5.pdf PDF])
* N6 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N6.pdf PDF])
* N7 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N7.pdf PDF])
* N8 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N8.pdf PDF])
* N9 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N9.pdf PDF])
''* N10 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N10.pdf PDF]) these line doesn't exist at these moment''
* N11 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N11.pdf PDF])
* N12 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N12.pdf PDF])
* N13 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N13.pdf PDF])
* N14 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N14.pdf PDF])
* N15 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N15.pdf PDF])
* N16 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N16.pdf PDF])
* N17 - ([http://www.emt-amb.com/Uploads/PDFsLinea/N17.pdf PDF])

==Public Transport '''updated January 2012 rates'''==
* Public Transport in Barcelona: [http://www.tmb.cat/en/home '''TMB'''] - You can plan your trip [http://www.tmb.cat/en/el-teu-transport here]

* The '''[http://www.tmb.net/en_US/turistes/busturistic/busturistic.jsp Bus Turístic]''' links all of the Barcelona tourist sites you could possibly want to visit. It has three routes, including a northbound and a southbound line which leave from opposite sides of the ''Plaça de Catalunya''. You can buy tickets valid for one day (€24) or two consecutive days (€31), '''buy it only with discount at''' [http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/web/guest/venda_titols here].

* The '''metro''' can take you to many places. Stations are marked <M> on most maps; every station has a detailed scheme of exits to the city. A one-journey ticket cost €2, so it's probably best to buy a multiperson 10-ride ticket for €9.25 (called a T-10) or a personal 50-ride for 30 consecutive days ticket for €37. These tickets are also valid on the '''buses''', '''trams''', '''FGC''' and '''Rodalies Renfe'''. [http://www.tmb.cat/en/home]. 1- to 5-day public transport tickets are available which allow unlimited travel on the metro and bus networks (€12.80 for two days).

* '''Alternative options''': (sharing travels)

[http://www.viajamosjuntos.com www.viajamosjuntos.com ]

[http://www.comparteviaje.es www.comparteviaje.es]

[http://debegesa.compartir.org debegesa.compartir.org]

[http://www.compartir.es/es/index_es.htm www.compartir.es]

==Meetings==

Barcelona has a growing active community that organizes meetings from time to time, end 2006 on a weekly basis.

You can find many active CS groups just by searching the keyword "Barcelona" in the main [http://www.couchsurfing.org/groups.html?search=1 community search portal]. It is always a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. Also it's available the [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=csbcngroup%40gmail.com Barcelona CS Calendar]

== When to Visit: Festivals and Events ==

* '''Sant Jordi''' 23rd of April. Is like Saint Valentine's in many places. People give roses and books around the streets. Is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia.

* '''Corpus'''. Late in May (Corpus Christi day). An egg is put over the fountains (most of them in the churches, and decorated with flowers), and "magically dances" over the water. Most of the churches are in the city centre: Cathedral's cloister, Santa Anna, Casa de l'Ardiaca, Museu Frederic Marés, and over 10 more fountains.

* '''Revetlla de Sant Joan''': for weeks on end, listen to kids shoot off caps and fire crackers. Finish the week with San Juan, head down to the beach for various music stations and all night festivities. The shortest night of the year: 23rd June!

* '''Festes de la Mercè''' Around the 24th of September, the main celebrations in the city. Live music during all the day and night, theatre, life in the streets, ''castellers'', and most of it for free!

* '''Festes de Gràcia''' - around the 15th of August, the celebrations from the [[Gràcia]] quarter. Many streets are decorated by the neighbours, live music, food in the street, party all night long.

* '''Festes de Sants''' - similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and a bit later in August. If you can't go to the Gracia's, try this one!

* '''Festes de la Mercè''' - Around the 24th of September, the main celebrations in the city. Live music during all the day and night, theatre, life in the streets, ''castellers'', and most of it for free!

* '''Fira de Santa Llúcia''' - From December 2nd/3rd to December 23rd, to commemorate Sta Llúcia (December 13th). In front of the Cathedral, is where the Christmas objects are sold. Some places sell Christmas trees, but most of them sell elements for making the ''pessebres'', the representations of the birth of Jesus that people uses to put at home. These include small sculptures, wooden pieces and moss used to simulate grass.

== See and Do - Touristic Barcelona ==

Check the excelent resource [http://www.wikitravel.org/en/barcelona WikiTravel Barcelona]

'''Museu Picasso''' The Museu Picasso de Barcelona is the chief reference point for knowledge about Pablo Picasso’s formative years, and bears witness to the close relation between the artist and the city. Five Gothic mansions house this museum which, in addition to works from the artist’s youth and later life, such as the Blue Period, also contains the magnificent Las Meninas series, a rich interpretive exercise based on Velázquez’s famous work.

'''Fundació Caixa de Catalunya'''Ten years after its inauguration and coinciding with the centenary of the start of the construction of Milà House, the Fundació Caixa Catalunya has reopened the Espai Gaudí. It is a place of reflection, exploration and discovery, inviting the public to participate in an intellectual and sensorial experience which aims to let Gaudí speak for himself in the exceptional setting of La Pedrera attic.
In addition to the Espai Gaudí, the visitor can see the courtyards, La Pedrera Apartment, which recreates the ambience of a middle class home of the early 20th century, and the roof, surprising for its artistic and symbolic power.

'''Fundació Antoni Tapies''' Fundació Antoni Tàpies, housed in a Modernist building in Barcelona’s Eixample district, was established in 1984 by the artist Antoni Tàpies for the purpose of promoting the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art. The Foundation organises temporary exhibitions, lectures and film seasons in order to contribute to a better understanding of contemporary art and culture, as well as possessing one of the most complete collections of works by Antoni Tàpies.

'''MACBA''' The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) houses an important collection of artworks from the last fifty years. Besides a selection of works from the permanent collection, the museum also provides a broad programme of temporary exhibitions and organises activities related to contemporary culture and art. The building itself was designed by the American architect Richard Meier.

'''CCCB''' The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a centre that organises exhibitions and activities in such diverse spheres as music, film, dance, performance and anything involving artistic experiment.

'''MNAC''' The magnificent collections at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), covering from the 11th to the 20th century, illustrate, amongst others, two outstanding periods in Catalan art: the Romanesque, with a collection unique in the world; and Modernisme, featuring outstanding works by such artists as Antoni Gaudí, among others. The museum site also commands spectacular views over the city.

'''Fundació Joan Miró''' Fundació Joan Miró de Barcelona, housed in a magnificent building by Josep Lluís Sert in the Parc de Montjuïc, contains the finest public collection of the work of Joan Miró, with 300 paintings, 150 sculptures and the complete graphic works. The Foundation also presents a regular programme of temporary exhibitions by 20th century artists.

[http://www.articketbcn.org/en/mapa city map]

==Modernist Route==
The Barcelona Modernisme Route is an itinerary that takes you through the Barcelona of Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch, the architects who, together with others, made Barcelona the world capital of Modernisme. This Route enables you to get to know thoroughly impressive palatial residences, amazing houses, the temple that has become a symbol of the city and a huge hospital, but it also includes humbler and more everyday buildings and items such as chemists’, shops, lampposts and benches - 115 works in all which show that Art Nouveau put down strong roots in Barcelona and today Modernisme is still an art that is alive and part of life in the city.

You can follow the route with the aid of signs on the ground that are part of the very urban landscape of the city. These are small red paving stones set into the pavement that mark out the main sections of the Route’s and go past the Modernista works on the rest of the itinerary.

For those of you who prefer to get to know Barcelona’s Modernista masterpieces without following a pre-set route, here is a list of the thirty most recommended monuments:
* Hidroelèctrica (Hydroelectric building)
* Museu de Zoologia (Zoology Museum - [http://www.bcn.es/museuciencies Website])
* Palau Güell (Güell Palace)
* Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music - [http://www.palaumusica.org Website])
* Casa Calvet (Calvet House)
* MNAC (National Museum of Art of Catalonia - [http://www.mnac.es Website])
* CaixaForum, Fàbrica Casaramona (Casaramona Factory - [http://www.fundacio.lacaixa.es Website])
* Casa Lleó Morera (Lleó Morera House)
* Casa Amatller (Amatller House)
* Casa Batlló (Batlló House - [http://www.casabatllo.cat/ Website])
* Editorial Montaner i Simón, Fundació Antoni Tàpies (Montaner i Simón Editor’s – Antoni Tàpies Foundation)
* Conservatori Municipal de Música (Municipal Conservatory of Music)
* Casa Thomas (Thomas House)
* Palau Montaner (Montaner Palace)
* Casa Milà, la Pedrera (Milà House - [http://www.fundacio.lacaixa.es/ Website])
* Casa Fuster (Fuster House)
* Palau del Baró de Quadras (Baró de Quadras Palace)
* Casa Comalat (Comalat House)
* Casa Terrades, Casa de les Punxes (Terrades House, House of the Spires)
* Casa Macaya (Macaya House)
* Casa Planells (Planells House)
* Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of Sagrada Família - [http://www.sagradafamilia.org/ Website])
* Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (Hospital of the holy cross and of Saint Paul)
* Park Güell (Parc Güell - [http://parkguell.net84.net/eng/ Website])
* Casa Vicens (Vicens House)
* Pavellons Güell (Güell Pavilions)
* Col·legi de les Teresianes (Teresian Nuns’ School)
* Torre Bellesguard
* CosmoCaixa, Museu de la Ciència (Science Museum - [http://www.fundaciocaixacatalunya.org Website])
* Observatori Fabra (Fabra Observatory)
* Parc del Tibidabo (Tibidabo Theme Park - [http://www.tibidabo.es Website])

==Bars with History - Places with its own style==
Locales con historia:
He aquí una serie de lugares únicos donde hacer un alto en el camino. Todos ellos se encuentran en edificios o en entornos con mucha historia:

'''Andy Blue (Segre, 24)'''
Café, restaurante y copas. Este local se encuentra en una antigua fábrica textil del siglo XIX que hoy alberga también una de las mejores bibliotecas de Barcelona. Donde se escuchaba el traqueteo de los telares, hoy se oye el tintineo de platos y copas.

'''Bar Almirall (Joaquín Costa, 33)'''
Situado en una de las calles con más mezcla cultural de Barcelona, el Almirall es un bar muy antiguo (1860). Lugar de ambiente bohemio y decoración modernista, como el bar Muy Buenas (Carme, 63 -1918-) y el London Bar (Nou de la Rambla, 34 -1909-).

'''Bar Oller (paseo de Sant Joan, 146)'''
Vermut, cervezas y tapas. Un bar tradicional de barrio, que conserva la decoración original de 1928. Se encuentra junto a la fuente de Hércules (1798), también conocida como fuente de los Leones.

'''Bar Pastís (Santa Mònica, 4)'''
Copas en un diminuto bar de estilo marsellés y ambiente portuario fundado en 1947 en pleno barrio Chino. Para bohemios amantes de la música de Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Carlos Gardel, Georges Brassens, etc.

'''Biblioteca Francesca Bonnemaison (Sant Pere Més Baix, 7)'''
Situada en un señorial edificio del siglo XVI, esta biblioteca, creada en 1909, fue la primera de Europa en especializarse en temas relacionados con la mujer. Se puede acceder gratuitamente, como en el resto de Biblioteques de Barcelona, a libros, revistas, diarios, CD, DVD, Internet, etc.

'''Biblioteca de Sant Pau-Santa Creu (Hospital, 56 – Carme, 47)'''
Ubicada en una de las salas del que fue el principal hospital de Barcelona durante 500 años, hasta principios del siglo XX, es el lugar idóneo para practicar el arte de la biblioterapia bajo bóvedas de crucería centenarias.

'''Bodega Saltó (Blesa, 36 – bodegasalto.net)'''
Cenas frías, vinos y copas. Una de esas bodegas, con un siglo de historia, a las que las amas de casa solían ir a buscar vino a granel. Con actuaciones en directo entre grandes toneles de otro tiempo.

'''Cafè Borrell (Av. Paral•lel, 84)'''
Café y tapas. Situado frente al Molino, este café centenario (1909) es un vestigio del tiempo en que el Paralelo era el corazón del ocio nocturno barcelonés, con sus tabernas, cafés cantantes, teatros, carpas de circo y barracones de feria. Conserva algunos curiosos aparatos antiguos: gramolas, ventiladores, teléfonos, radios...

'''Cafè del Centre (Girona, 69)'''
Café. El tiempo parece haberse detenido en este café de mesas de mármol, bancos de madera y columnas de fundición, abierto en 1873. Muy cerca del Forn Sarret (Girona, 73) y de Queviures Betlem (Girona, 70), dos establecimientos de finales del siglo XIX. En el portal que está entre Queviures Betlem y el Bar Funicular fue detenido, el 25 de septiembre de 1973, el anarquista Salvador Puig Antich, uno de los últimos condenados a muerte del franquismo.

'''Cafè de les Delícies (Rambla del Raval, 47)'''
Cafés, tes, cenas frías y copas. Situado en plena Rambla del Raval, este delicioso café de ambiente bohemio ocupa una antigua tienda de mimbres de 1850. Gracias a una máquina de discos rescatada de los Encantes, aquí sigue sonando la música de la década de 1970.

'''Cafè de l'Òpera (Rambla, 74)'''
Café. Fue abierto en 1876 como restaurante y en 1929 se transformó en café. Al entrar, conviene fijarse en la puerta y también alzar la vista para contemplar los rótulos de un antiguo banco. En el interior, destacan las columnas de fundición y la decoración de los espejos.

'''Ca l’Estevet (Valldonzella, 46)'''
Cocina de mercado en pleno Raval, no muy lejos del CCCB y el MACBA. Por este restaurante, que lleva más de un siglo sirviendo platos, han pasado celebridades de la talla de Orson Welles.

'''Can Culleretes (Quintana, 5)'''
Cocina catalana en el restaurante más antiguo de Barcelona, fundado en 1786. En pleno centro de la Barcelona medieval, a un tiro de piedra de la plaza del Pi y el Call judío.

'''Casa Leopoldo (Sant Rafael, 24)'''
Restaurante fundado en 1929, a escasos metros de donde pocos años antes había sido asesinado Salvador Seguí. En sus orígenes era mesón y bodega a precios populares, pero hoy lo frecuentan intelectuales y personalidades de la política y el espectáculo.

'''Centre Cívic Torre Llobeta (Santa Fe, 2, bis)'''
Una de las masías más antiguas de Barcelona (siglos XV-XVI), muestra espléndida de arquitectura gótica, con dovelas en las puertas y ventanales esculpidos. Además del centro cívico, alberga una biblioteca pública.

'''Centre de Cultura Contemporània (CCCB) (Montalegre, 5)'''
Conferencias y exposiciones en lo que fue la Casa de la Caritat, una institución asistencial de origen medieval que se encargaba de personas pobres e incapacitadas para el trabajo. En el Pati de les Dones (siglo XIX), se pueden leer todavía las máximas con que se pretendía “educar” a las mujeres acogidas.

'''El Cangrejo (Montserrat, 9)'''
Taberna de ambiente bohemio y canalla, vestigio de la época en que el Barrio Chino estaba plagado de locales flamencos (1902). Por aquí han pasado personajes de la talla de Dalí, García Lorca, Joan Miró y Carmen Amaya.

'''El Gallo Quirico (Avinyó, 19)'''
Cocina paquistaní. Junto a la casa de Hércules (que ocupa el número 17 y es del siglo XVI), tiene la particularidad de que las mesas del fondo están apoyadas sobre la mismísima muralla romana de Barcino.

'''El Nus (Mirallers, 5)'''
Copas. Un bar con encanto, que conserva algunos vestigios del colmado que fue, en la calle donde en otro tiempo trabajaron los fabricantes de espejos. Si accedemos a la calle Mirallers desde Vigatans pasaremos entre caserones centenarios y junto a una carassa como las que en la edad media anunciaban la proximidad de un prostíbulo.

'''El Sortidor (plaça del Sortidor, 5)'''
Cocina catalana y mediterránea. Este café restaurante fue inaugurado en 1908, cuando la magnífica fuente de Ceres que dio el nombre a la plaza todavía no había sido trasladada a Montjuïc. Vivió su época más bulliciosa durante la Exposición Internacional de 1929 y todavía hoy conserva su antiguo mobiliario.

'''Els Quatre Gats (Montsió, 3 bis)'''
Café-restaurante. En la casa Martí, obra modernista neogótica de Puig i Cadafalch. Entre 1897 y 1903 fue lugar de reunión y exposición de artistas como Ramon Casas, Santiago Rusiñol, Picasso y Nonell.

'''Escribà (Rambla, 83)'''
La antigua Casa Figueres fue una fábrica de pastas alimentarias. De entonces conserva la decoración modernista (1902), obra de Antoni Ros, pintor y escenógrafo, y de todo un equipo de artistas del vidrio, la escultura, el mosaico, la madera, el hierro... Hoy es una las pastelerías más conocidas de Barcelona.

'''Fonda L’Havana (Lleó, 1)'''
Tapas y cocina casera catalana en un restaurante de los de toda la vida. Situada en una zona del Raval que se urbanizó en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX, L’Havana fue siempre la más frecuentada de las fondas que llenaban la calle Lleó. Tal vez por eso ha pervivido.

'''Granja Viader (Xuclà, 6)'''
Chocolates, cuajadas, flanes, pasteles, mató con miel… Junto a la iglesia de Betlem, esta granja fue fundada en 1870. Aquí se inventó el Cacaolat en 1931.

'''La Clandestina (Baixada Viladecols, 2)'''
Zumos, tes, pasteles, narguiles y bocadillos. A un paso de una torre de la muralla romana muy bien conservada (plaza dels Traginers) y muy cerca de algunos palacios medievales (calle Lledó, números 13, 11, 7, 4-6…) comparables a los de la calle Montcada.

'''La Confitería (Sant Pau, 128)'''
Cafés, tes, cenas frías y copas. A pocos metros de la joya del románico barcelonés, Sant Pau del Camp, esta antigua pastelería conserva la decoración de 1913 (los rótulos de la puerta, los escaparates, el mostrador de mármol, los espejos, las pinturas, las lámparas…).

'''La Granja (Banys Nous, 4)'''
Cafés, chocolates, tes, infusiones, batidos y bocadillos. En Banys Nous, la calle donde los judíos de la Barcelona medieval realizaban sus baños rituales. La Granja data de 1872, pero el trozo de la muralla romana que hay al fondo, de muchísimo antes...

'''La Palma (La Palma de Sant Just, 7)'''
Vinos, cavas, vermut, embutidos, quesos... En la Barcelona más antigua, a escasos metros de la plaza de Sant Just (donde se levantan la iglesia gótica dels sants Just i Pastor y una fuente de 1367), esta es una de esas bodegas de toda la vida, de las que ya quedan pocas.

'''La Paloma (Tigre, 27)'''
Sala de fiestas. Data de 1904. Conserva la decoración de Salvador Alarma (escenógrafo del Liceu) y Manuel Mestre (1915-1919): pinturas con escenas de baile, relieves, dorados, una gran lámpara…

'''La Tete (Comtessa de Sobradiel, 4)'''
Tes, infusiones, pasteles caseros y platos vegetarianos en un ambiente alternativo. En la edad media estuvo en esta zona el Palau Reial Menor, del cual sólo se conserva en parte la fachada de la capilla (calle Ataülf, 4).

'''La Vinya del Senyor (plaça de Santa Maria, 5)'''
Vinos y tapas en un lugar privilegiado, frente a la entrada principal de la gran joya del gótico religioso barcelonés: Santa Maria del Mar.

'''Llibreria la Central del Raval (Elisabets, 6)'''
Libros en la antigua iglesia de la Casa de la Misericòrdia (1693), que acogía niños abandonados y vagabundos sin hogar. Sobre la puerta, dos ángeles sostienen el escudo de la ciudad.

'''Marsella (calle Sant Pau, esquina con Sant Ramón)'''
Uno de los bares más antiguos de Barcelona. Fundado en 1820 por un marsellés que trajo de Francia la absenta. Los espejos, las mesas de mármol y las botellas cubiertas de polvo recrean el ambiente noctámbulo y bohemio del siglo XIX. Cerca de la Rambla del Raval y del lugar donde cayó abatido Salvador Seguí.

'''Otman (Cirera, 4)'''
Moda, tes y comida marroquí. En una de las calles más estrechas y ocultas de Barcelona. Si llegamos a ella por Flassaders desde el paseo del Born, pasaremos por delante de la antigua fábrica de moneda de Barcelona (número 40), que permaneció activa hasta 1836, sobre cuya entrada hay un gran escudo borbónico.

'''Pati Llimona (Regomir, 3)'''
Centro cívico que ofrece conferencias, exposiciones y toda clase de cursos y talleres. Ocupa el palacio de la familia March (siglo XIV), que a su vez se construyó sobre dos vestigios que se pueden visitar libremente: un lienzo de la muralla romana y una de las puertas de Barcino.

'''Puda de Can Manel (paseo Joan de Borbó, 60-61)'''
Restaurante de cocina marinera situado en una puda. Las pudas, características de la Barceloneta del pasado, eran almacenes de planta baja sobre los que se construyeron, retiradas, viviendas.

'''Quimet d’Horta (plaza Ibiza, 10)'''
Lugar emblemático de tapeo en el meollo de la Horta más antigua, a un paso de Can Mariner y de la plaza de Santes Creus.

'''Sala Parés (Petritxol, 5)'''
Sala de arte. Fundada en 1877, ha exhibido la obra de grandes artistas como Picasso y Rusiñol. Situada en una calle de origen medieval (aunque la mayor parte de los edificios actuales es del siglo XIX), llena de pastelerías y granjas.

'''Salterio (Sant Domènec del Call, 4)'''
Tes, infusiones y comida mediterránea. Cerca de la plaza de Sant Jaume, en el centro de lo que hasta 1391 fue el barrio judío de Barcelona, a unos metros de una sinagoga y de una lápida en hebreo (calle Marlet, números 5 y 1). Se recomienda fijarse en las fachadas, las portadas y las ventanas de los números 3-5, 4 y 6.

'''Taverna Can Margarit (Concòrdia, 21)'''
Vinos y cenas. Situada en una casa pairal de 1850 que en 1900 se transformó en bodega, esta taberna es un lugar de ambiente casi rural donde cenar entre toneles y objetos de otro tiempo.

'''Teatreneu (Terol, 26-28)''' ([http://www.teatreneu.com/ Website])
Gastronomía, copas y teatro en el antiguo local de la Cooperativa de Teixidors a Mà (1876), una buena muestra del asociacionismo obrero de Gracia.

'''Tèxtil Cafè (Montcada, 12)'''
Cafetería y comida mediterránea. En la calle más aristocrática de la Barcelona medieval y a un tiro de piedra de Santa María del Mar, este café tiene el privilegio de encontrarse en el soberbio palacio del marqués de Llió.

==What's on. Hang out - BCN Nightlife==

Couchsurfers in Barcelona generally not only like museums and the beach a lot, they also tend to spend a lot of their time in bars and clubs.Here is a selection of some of their favourite places.

Most nightclubs in Barcelona charge entrance fees (with a drink included) but in the following websites you can get free list entrance to some of the trendiest clubs.

[revive la noche http://www.revivelanoche.com]
[Golden Designer http://www.goldendesigner.net]
[You Barcelona http://www.youbarcelona.com]
[Barcelona parties http://www.barcelonaparties.com]

===Barcelona Agenda===

For suggestions about meetings, events and CS activities in Barcelona, [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=csbcngroup%40gmail.com check our calendar].

A live music scene guide: [http://www.barcelonarocks.com/home_eng.asp barcelonarocks.com].

A weekly guide with cool, rather hipster ('moderno') concerts, parties, exhibitions, etc: lecool [http://lecool.com/cities/barcelona/subscriptions/new]. You have to subscribe but it's free.

===Barcelona Gratis===

Things to do for free in Barcelona: [http://www.barcelonagratis.com/ Barcelonagratis.com].

===Butxaca, cultural agenda===

gigs, festivals and other cultural events [http://www.butxaca.com/.com Butxaca website]

===Bars===

* McCarthy's Irish Bar: situated on the very central Via Laietana, number 44. Genuine Irish Bar, owned and operated by a friendly Irishman and a team of English speaking staff who make great local guides. Best Guinness in the city. ([http://www.mccarthysbarcelona.com Website])
* Alt Heidelberg: located in Ronda Universitat, just besides Plaça Universitat. A beer garden, where the black beer is excellent. Don't miss this one! ([http://barcelona.lanetro.com/guia/sitios/fichasitio.cfm?CodigoSitio=19505&IdTipo=58 Review])
* Petit Apolo: located in C/ Vila Vilá 62, corner with Nou de la Rambla. The main different is that you find your own beer tap on every table. 5€/liter of beer, but it is totally worth it! Don't miss this one! ([http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=vila+vil%C3%A1+62&sll=41.374313,2.170122&sspn=0.007777,0.020084&ie=UTF8&ll=41.374538,2.169843&spn=0.007777,0.020084&z=16&om=1 Map])
* Aurora Bar: one of the CS favourites! Cheap beer, good music, tables and chairs in the first floor, free entrance, open until 3 AM. It gets full quickly and the smoke will cover all the place, but you'll have a great time! ([http://barcelona.salir.com/aurora Review & Location])
* L'Antiquari: Located in the most beautiful square of Barcelona. Nice terrace with a real Chillida sculpture. Open doors from 17 to 2 AM. Street Veguer, 13; in the Gothic part of the city. ([http://www.esp.cityvox.es/bars-et-boites_barcelona/l-antiquari_4137/ProfilLieu Review])
* Antic Teatre: street Verdaguer i Callís, 12. Here you can find a wide range of theatrical activities. Besides, a large terrace and a variety of juices to choose. Minimalism in all its glory! ([http://www.lanticteatre.com/ Website])
* El Sifón: located in C/Espalter, 8 (very close to the Botero cat statue in Rambla del Raval)
* L'Ovella Negra or Black Sheep. Not very cheap prices for good beer. A central one in Carrer Tallers and another in Poblenou ([http://www.ovellanegra.net/ Website] | [http://www.bcninternet.com/touristinfo.php?contentid=287 Review]). The one in Carrer Tallers is the favourite place for tourists and you will NOT see locals in there. L'Ovella Negra in Poblenou is near Razzmatazz, where you can continue the party!
* Bar Ramat: located in C/Sant Martí, 15 (very close to Botero cat statue in Rambla del Raval)
* Mirablau: The best view of the city, with IT people there, not especially cheap. Located in Tibidabo area, in Pl. Dr. Andreu s/n. ([http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&hl=es&q=carrer+de+gallarza+Barcelona,+Catalu%C3%B1a,+Espa%C3%B1a&sll=41.415955,2.132227&sspn=0.007402,0.026951&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=41.417725,2.129073&spn=0.014804,0.053902&om=1&iwloc=addr Map])
* Manchester: another CS classic! In Street Milans, 5, Gothic Area. Indie music for people from 25s to 35s. Good atmosphere, relaxed but crowded. ([http://www.manchesterbar.com/ Website])
* Oviso: located in Gothic, Carrer de n'Aray, 5. Cheap food, international people and lovely walls. Go for a drink! ([http://www.festuc.com/local/39590/Oviso Review])
* Teatreneu: Terol, 26-28, Gracia. Very nice theatre with restaurant and bar. The restaurant just friday and saturday night. ([http://www.teatreneu.com/ Website])
* Glaciar Bar: just in Plaça Reial, 3. Very turistic place but cheap and big enough for groups. It is the perfect place to meet up CSers and after head to Karma or Sidecar. ([http://www.esp.cityvox.es/bars-et-boites_barcelona/glaciar_8915/ProfilLieu Info] | [http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=glaciar+bar&near=Barcelona&fb=1&view=text&latlng=41380249,2174764,9988597290078990326 Map])
* Harlem Jazz Club: located in the Gothic, Comtessa de Sobradiel, 8. It has live music almost every night of the week with the first set starting around 22:00 and continuing around 00:30. Music from Brazilian Bossa Nova to African-Caribbean fusions. The concerts are free during the week. ([http://www.bcninternet.com/touristinfo.php?contentid=263 Info] | [http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Harlem+Jazz+Club&near=Barcelona&fb=1&view=text&latlng=41381154,2178349,14457921613504761866 Map])
* Ambar: Ronda San Pau, 77. There is a growing mix of international people inhabiting this area, making of Ambar an attractive place to meet entertaining regulars. The bar is a mixture of art and music in a multicultural environment. ([http://www.bcninternet.com/touristinfo.php?contentid=792 Info])
* Indian Lounge: Street Sant Ramon, 23. Chill-out bar, cheap coctels on a confortable couch. A little hide and not very crowded. Perfect for the first drink and a nice talk before starting the destruction. ([http://www.barcelonaconnect.com/showlisting.asp?cfgid=1-51-1259 Info])
* Marsella: Ronda Sant Pau, 65. If you are looking for the most authentic place to drink absinth then look no further than the Marsella Bar. The interior has a 19th Century design with faded mirrored bar and hanging chandeliers. Miro, Picasso and Hemingway have all been rumored to have hung out here drinking. One glass of this is probably enough to sample for the first time user. Warning: it is strong and you will have a very good feeling. ([http://www.barceloca.com/data/details.aspx?ID=1620 Info] | [http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Marsella+Bar&near=Barcelona&fb=1&view=text&latlng=41378252,2171159,2868933110863992417 Map])
* Barroc Café: street Rec, 67, in Born. Designed by Daniel Piniello, Barroc Café is a creative concept with a special atmosphere, a nice cozy interior, dedicated to relax and enjoy the company. ([http://www.festuc.com/local/26247/Barroc+Caf%E9 Info])
* La Fíanna: street Banys Vells, 15, in Born. It is a funky, must-see place created to have a Moroccan and Turkish vibe. Trendy bar and restaurant. They also offer food service in the bar. After midnight they open the entire place for the bar crowd and the music starts beating. ([http://www.lafianna.com/ Website])
* Le Journal: street Francesc Giner, 36, in Gracia. Walls with newspapers from different parts of the world. Weird objects. A must on friday evenings in Gracia district. ([http://drinkbarcelona.blogspot.com/2007/02/le-journal.html Review])
* Qbar: street Quintana, 6, 1 minute from Plaça Reial, in the Gothic. It is a nice space but very turistic. Dutch and Perugian own this establishment which has an international crowd of waiters that can speak english, spanish and a big number of other languages. Watch out in summer, the temperature can be extremely high! ([http://www.bcn-nightlife.com/en/details/5261/ Review])
* Els Quatre Gats: located in street Montsió, 3. Històric Modernist coffee place in our city, where famous painters, writers and bohemians used to hang out, including Picasso and Miró. Cozy atmosphere to have a chat with friends. The paintings are original from Picasso, so don't miss it! ([http://www.4gats.com/ Website])
* Do you want to meet real locals?: go to 'El Rincón del Doctor' (street Provença between Enric Granados and Aribau) and have your first and cheap drinks there, let's say until 12:00 or 1:00; or move to Ramplax Bar, just in the corner. Then head to 'Línea 6,25', located in Enric Granados, in front of the previous bar, it's free entrance, good music and open until 3:00; at 2:30, be ready to have drinks @ 3€!!!. After that, move yourself to 'Tubo-Bar', 'La Fira' or 'Get Back', all of them in the surroundings.
* Les gens que j'aime Pub: It is more for dates, or you can also take people passing by, not very enlighted with Jazz music. Located in the real center of the city, in Valencia, 286. [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&hl=es&q=Valencia+286+Barcelona&sll=41.406171,2.154007&sspn=0.029613,0.079651&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=41.395001,2.164822&spn=0.014809,0.053902&om=1&iwloc=addr Map]
* Bar Mariachi: Some people say it's Manu Chao's bar, when you get there you will understand why. Tiny little bar well hidden in the Gótico. Nice decoration and if you're lucky you might see some live music in the early evening. Be nice to the bar tenders and you might get the chance to taste one of their secret drinks, very tasty! [http://www.mariatchi.com website] Carrer Codols, 14 bx, close to plaza del tripi (george orwell)
* Bar Bamboo: Near Barceloneta Beach, 5 minutes walking from several clubs. C/ Dr. Aiguader s/n. Barceloneta Metro Station (L4 - yellow). Check the [http://fon.gs/bamboobar/ map] for the exact location.
* Nevermind: Good atmosphere, good music and good prices. Escudellers Blancs, 3, behind Plaça Reial
* Born: Lots of bars there, a very common area for locals. [http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/areas/el-born.html Review]

===Live Music!===

* Big Bang Bar Oldies: Live music almost every night, from 10pm, free entrance or around 5 euros. Rock, folk, pop, punk, electronic...in the Raval, calle botella 7.[http://www.bigbangbcn.net/ Big Bang website ]

===Tapas===

* La Esquinica: one of the best places for Tapas in Barcelona! Very good price and delicious tapas. The place cannot be booked in advance, so you will have to queue until you get in. If you arrive before 8 PM on Friday or Saturday, or if you go during the weekdays, the wait will be reduced to 5 minutes. ([http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=la+esquinica&near=Barcelona&fb=1&view=text&latlng=41432284,2164617,7466984844739965468 Map] | [http://www.ciao.es/La_Esquinica_bar_de_tapas_Barcelona__194353 Review])
* Maxi: located in the entrance of Barcelona, in front of the Mall Gran Via 2, C/Carretera del Prat, 30 Bis, Barcelona Tel. (+34) 932968410. You will be surprised for the quantity and quality of their tapas. It is better to book in advance, but you will love this place.
* Bar Emilio: do you want to mix with real locals from the suburbs? Then get the metro until Plaça Espanya, change to the Ferrocarril (FGC) and stop in Gornal. Ask any person there for this bar, located just 2 minutes from the station. No booking, but incredible prices and very good tapas. It would be better to contact a member from CS Barcelona if you plan to try this bar :DDDDDDD (Volunteers to go there: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/chavales Chavales] | [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/fusion Fusion])
* Bar Tomás: the best Patatas Bravas in the city, located in the area of Sarrià, Carrer Major de Sarrià, 49, Tel. 93 203 10 77. No booking. It would be better to contact a member from CS Barcelona if you plan to try this bar :DDDDDDD (Volunteers to go there: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/chavales Chavales] | [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/fusion Fusion])

===Clubs===

* Sidecar: a nice club to end your night, right in the center at Placa Reial. Famous are the [http://www.antikaraoke.com/ Anti-karaoke] nights, every monday. ([http://www.sidecarfactoryclub.com/ Website] | [http://www.bcninternet.com/touristinfo.php?contentid=842 Review])
* The Alfa Club: in Gracia. For some ''the'' club to be on a Saturday night, for others a bar with too loud music. Definately a great go when lost at night in Gracia. ([http://www.barcelonaconnect.com/showlisting.asp?cfgid=1-35-46 Review])
* Razzmatazz: a huge club with 4 dancefloors and concerts. Opens until 7 a.m. Entry 12€ in advance and 15€ at the door. Including consumption. Great night guaranteed. ([http://www.salarazzmatazz.com/ Website])
* Karma: located in the center of Plaça Reial, N-10. If you like Rock, this is your place. ([http://www.karmadisco.com/ Website])
* Plataforma: the eternal and classic alternative Disco in Barcelona. Good music, reasonable price for entrance, beers, and cubatas. During the CS Italian Invasion, we filled it up with 90 people, so it became part of the CS History. It is located in Nou de la Rambla, 45, very close to Apolo - L3 / Paral.lel ([http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=plataforma+discoteca&near=Barcelona&fb=1&view=text&latlng=41369625,2157748,7277711510249215847 Map] | [http://www.ciao.es/Discoteca_Plataforma_Barcelona__Opinion_1414195 Review])
* CatWalk: near the Port Olímpic and the Arts Hotel, fashion place, good house music and nice people. ([http://www.clubcatwalk.net/ Website] | [http://maps.google.es/maps?f=q&hl=es&geocode=&q=club+catwalk+barcelona&ie=UTF8&ll=41.386251,2.1963&spn=0.005401,0.00663&z=17&iwloc=A&om=0 Map])
* Fellini: multispace disco, different kinds of music... kinda laberintic.. specially after some beers ;) ([http://www.clubfellini.com/ Website] | [http://maps.google.es/maps?ie=UTF8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&q=fellini&near=Barcelona&fb=1&cid=0,0,7151943010533208099&z=16&iwloc=A&om=0 Map])
* Línea 6,25: in Enric Granados, 52, Eixample. Perfect after having a few drinks in 'El Rincón del Doctor'. Free entrace, good music (pachanga!!!) and open until 3 AM. At 2:30, long drinks' price is reduced to 3€ each, so do not miss the chance to get inexpensive vodka orange. ([http://www.topdiscotecas.com/ficha/linea Map])
* Opium: one of the most famous clubs in Barcelona. You can get free entrance before 1. Located in Passeig Marítim (La Barceloneta) 34 ([http://www.opiummar.com/home.html Website])
* Shoko: Restaurant, Lounge and Club, all together. Passeig Marítim (La Barceloneta) 36 ([http://www.shoko.biz/ Website])
* Sotavento Beach Club: Free access and house/tecno music. Passeig Marítim (La Barceloneta) 38 ([http://www.sotaventobcn.com/ Website])
* Don't know where to go???: then check [http://www.goldendesigner.net/discotecas/listas-clubs/ GoldenDesigner] and get free access to the main discos in the city.

===Restaurants===

Cheap eats in Barcelona....

* Restaurant 'La Fonda': Escudellers, 10. Nice and good restaurant close to the Plaça Reial. Mediterranean cusine. Good service. ([http://www.lafonda-restaurant.com/ Website])

* Restaurant 'The Pink Elephant': Villarroel, 82. Cosy restaurant close to metro Urgell (Eixample izq.), opened december 2008. Mediterranean cuisine. Very good food, service and sound. Lunch menu around 10 EUR. ([http://www.pinkelephantlounge.com/ Website])

* Restaurant 'Les Quinze Nits': Pl. Reial, 6. Very good price at midday. Lunch menu around 10 EUR. ([http://www.lesquinzenits.com/ Website])

* Restaurant 'La Dolça Hermínia': Magdalenes, 27. Unexpensive and very good.([http://www.ladolcaherminia.com/ Website])

* Restaurant 'La Crema Canela': Villarroel, 82. Unexpensive and very good.([http://www.lacremacanela.com/ Website])

* Restaurant 'La Mamasita': Av. Sarrià, 10, corner with Street Buenos Aires. Unexpensive and very good.([http://www.lamamasita-restaurant.com/ Website])

===Flamenco Shows===

Willing to see and dance some Flamenco? Yes, it is also possible in Barcelona!!!

* El Patio Andaluz: Andalucian Flamenco Dance Show in Eixample area of Barcelona. The Andalucian food is good quality, but like many dinner show combinations, don't expect a gourmet dining experience - the show is the star act of the night. Guests are also invited to try dancing the somewhat easier dance from Andalucia called Las Sevillanas. The live dance shows are twice a night at 20.00 and 22.00. Located in Carrer de Aribau, 242, Barcelona, Spain | Tel. (+34) 932093378 ([http://www.gargallo-hotels.com/patioandaluz/index.english.html Website])

* El Tablao de Carmen: live authentic and spectacular Flamenco show in the Spanish village on Montjuic - Poble Espanyol de Montjuïc. The Tablao de Carmen is a tribute to the legendary flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya. Carmen Amaya was a Gypsy and a Catalan and made her debut in 1929 in front of King Alfonso XIII, on the very grounds now occupied by Tablao de Carmen , to commemorate the inauguration of the Pueblo Español, during the Universal Exposition in Barcelona that year. The Tablao de Carmen offers a 75 minute Flamenco show with established flamenco artists and new young talent. Avinguda del Marquès de Comillas, Barcelona, Spain, 08038 - Telephone (+34) 933256895 ([http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/ Website])

* Tablao Flamenco Cordobes: The Tablau Flamenco Cordobes is a renowned flamenco nightclub on La Rambla in Barcelona. If you want a taste of authentic Spanish Flamenco then you will enjoy an evening of thrilling flamenco dancing and singing by popular and acclaimed artists. There are three shows nightly at 20.15, 22.00, and 23.30. Check the website for details of prices and menus if you want to include the dinner. Address: La Rambla, 35, Barcelona, Spain, 08002 - Telephone (+34) 933175711 ([http://www.tablaocordobes.com/ Website])

* Palacio del Flamenco: on Calle Balmes in Barcelona is billed as a "show of the purest flamenco!". The show is made up of original choreography acts including soloist acts. The night begins with the unique and enthusiastic performance of our flamenco group. The guitar and the sound of the palms accompany the "taconeo" and the movement by the “bailaores” that introduce to us in this enthusiastic world. Address: Carrer de Balmes, 139, Barcelona, Spain - Telephone (+34) 932187237 ([http://www.palaciodelflamenco.com/ Website])

* Opera and Flamenco: brings together the melody of lyrical singing, the seduction of the Gitano dance, the magic of Spanish music, in a unique show. It's festival of music and dance from Bizet with his passionate Carmen till De Falla in his Amor Brujo in a Journey through the popular songs and Spanish Zarzuelas. The fourth season of this extraordinary fusion of lyrical singing and flamenco seen already by more then 80.000 persons. Address: La Rambla, 130, Barcelona, Spain, 08002 - Telephone (+34) 933010660. ([http://www.operaflamenco.com/ Website])

* Tarantos: Plaça Reial, 17, Metro: Liceu (Line 3 - green). This is possibly the cheapest one (5€-7€), but better check the schedules on their [http://www.masimas.com/ Website].

* FLAMENCO.CAT: For all lovers of flamenco, Flamenco.cat website offers a full calendar of flamenco concerts ands flamenco festivals in Barcelona and Catalunya. In Spanish and Catalan only. ([http://www.flamenco.cat/ Website])

===Original Version Cinemas===
* Verdi in Gracia neighborhood ([http://www.cines-verdi.com/barcelona_en/cartelera.php Website])
* Renoir Floridablanca in the City center ([http://www.cinesrenoir.com/cartelera/cine/DE3A5F9A3B29A251/ Website])
* Renoir Les Corts in Les Corts neighborhood close to FCBarcelona Stadium ([http://www.cinesrenoir.com/cartelera/cine/7F3F41B6DEBA075E/ Website])
* Ycaria Yelcmo in Vila Olimpica neighborhood([http://www.yelmocines.es/cine/yelmo-cines-icaria Website])
* Maldà in the City center ([http://cinemamalda.net/ Website])

==Accommodation==
'''Suggested hostels in the city center'''

''Barri Gòtic area'':
Hostal Kabul - [http://www.kabul.es/ Website] |
Itaca Hostel - [http://www.itacahostel.com/ Website] |
Hostal Quartier Gothic - [http://www.hostalquartiergothic.com Website] |
Hostal Levante - [http://www.hostallevante.com/ Website] |
Alternative Creative Youth Home Hostel - [http://www.alternative-barcelona.com/ Website] |
Ideal Youth Hostel - [http://www.idealhostel.com/ Website] |

'''Suggested hostels not in the city center but well comunicated'''

Sant Jordi Hostels Various hostels arround Barcelona- [http://www.santjordihostels.com Website] |

''Barri Clot area near '''Plaça de les Glòries''''':
Barcelona Urbany Hostel - [http://www.barcelonaurbany.com/ Website] |

''Barri Les Corts area, near '''L'Illa Diagonal''' Mall, not far from '''Sants Stació'''(''Sants train station'')'':
Youth Hostel Pere Tarres - [http://www.peretarres.org/wps/wcm/connect/peretarres_en/hostel/home/CNT_home_hostel/ Website] |
Alberguinn Youth Hostel - [http://www.alberguinn.com/en/ Website] |

''Barri Sarrià - Sant Gervasi area'' :
Inout Hostel - [http://www.inoutalberg.com/ Website] located in nature but very near Barcelona |

'''Suggested hostels in Barcelona Surrondings'''

''Badalona'' :
Barcelona Dream Hostel - [http://www.barcelonadream.net/ Website] very near Barcelona 15 min by metro|

'''Campings near Barcelona - probably one of the cheapest options you have'''

''Viladecans town (15 km from Barcelona city center - reachable by metropolitan bus)'':
Camping Filipinas - [http://es.infocamping.com/camping-Filipinas-Viladecans Website with contact info] |
Camping Ballena Alegre - [http://campings-autocaravanas.es/barcelona-zonas-de-acampadas/camping-ballena-alegre-viladecans/gmx-niv305-con429.htm Website with contact info ] |
Camping Tres estrellas: - [http://www.camping3estrellas.com/ Website] |
Camping Toro Bravo - [http://es.infocamping.com/camping-El-Toro-Bravo-Viladecans Website] |

'''Squats - Casas okupa'''

Sometimes people ask for them as a place to stay, we cannot say if you will be accepted or not, but you can just try!

[http://usurpa.squat.net/ Usurpa info] |
[http://okupesbcn.squat.net/ Assemblea d'Okupes de Barcelona] |

'''Useful websites to find accommodation in Barcelona'''

[http://www.hihostels.com/dba/Hostels-Barcelona-list.php?lang=E&city=ES|0005 HiHostels Website] |
[http://www.gomio.com Gomio Website] |
[http://www.barcelona30.com Barcelona30 Website] |
[http://www.hostels.com hostels.com Website] |
[http://www.hostelbookers.com hostelbookers.com Website] |
[http://www.hostelworld.com hostelworld.com Website] |
[http://www.rooms4rentbcn.com/ Rooms4rent Website] |
[http://www.barcelonacheckin.com/en/r/all_apartments_barcelona.php BarcelonaCheckIn Barcelona Apartments Website] |

'''Useful websites and places to find Long Term accommodation in Barcelona'''

''Websites''

[http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=8666 'Barcelona rent room or flat' group in CS] |
[http://www.loquo.com Loquo.com Website] |
[http://www.habitatgejove.com Habitatge Jove Website] |
[http://www.provivienda.org/sjh_menu.php Borsa d'Habitatge Website] |
[http://www.easypiso.com Easypiso.com Website] |
[http://www.pisocompartido.com Pisocompartido.com Website] |
[http://www.rooms4rentbcn.com/ Rooms4rent Website] |
[http://www.coleadministradors.com/esp/borsa.asp Col·legi administradors de Finques Website] |
[http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/Advertisers.aspx Barcelona Metropolitan Magazine Website] |

''Places''

BORSA D'HABITATGE JOVE (Barcelona city hall - Youth acommodation service)
Plaça Rius i Taulet, 3 (Gràcia).
Monday to friday (9 to 19h) 93 291 43 43
(borsa) habitatgejove@bcn.cat http://www.provivienda.org/sjh_menu.php

==Moving to BCN. What do I need to do?==
===General information===
Related CS group: [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=22824 Moving to Barcelona]

===NIE===
''Número de Identificación de Extranjero''

* '''Which forms are required to apply for the NIE?'''
** [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_14.pdf ex_14.pdf]: NIE application
** [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ex_16.pdf ex_16.pdf]: Application for Certificate of Registration as an EU resident or family member residence card of citizen of the Union

* '''What documents do you need to bring?'''
** Passport
** Empadronado (see further down).
*** (Stefan): They did check for my empadronado, but I've read on other websites, that this is not necessary to have any more. Can anyone confirm that?
* '''How does the process work?'''
** You have to go to Oficina de Extranjeros in Calle Balmes 192 with your forms and papers. Once you're inside they will quickly check if everything is correct and give you a tax-payment form with which you have to go to a bank close by, pay €10.-, get it stamped and signed and return to the police station. A few minutes later you hold your NIE in your hands. Very easy process now. It was way more complicated some time ago.

** Some comments on banks: some won't let you pay for the NIE tax unless you're customer at that specific bank. Some won't let you pay for the NIE tax at all (Banco Santander). Caixa Catalunya seems to be the bank that works best. However, due to the huge amount of people coming to pay for their NIE tax and generating long lines, they've decided to distribute it over their different branch offices in Barceloneta. Meaning, depending on which day you're going there you've to look for a sheet of paper hanging somewhere in the lobby, saying which branch will accept NIE-tax payments on that day. Then directly go to that branch office, instead of waiting 15 minutes in the line and then being told that you've to go to another office.

===Seguridad Social===

Getting a Security social number? Very easy !

Be sure to take with you the following documents to go to Seguridad Social offices:

* Original & copy of your passport
* Original & copy of your NIE

There are several offices in Barcelona were you can get the Security Social number. Check out this [http://www.mir.es/SGACAVT/modelos/extranjeria/modelos_extranje/ link] to see where your closest one is situated

===Empadronamiento===

Basically, to get empadronado is to register with the community where you live. It makes you an official member of the community and benefits both you and the community. The community, because they get funds based on how many people they have registered which goes into health-care, schools, security etc. It benefits you because you are now a member of the community (not to be confused with resident) and can enjoy benefits like your own doctor at the hospital, numerous discounts at leisure centers and other places, gives you the right to vote, put your kids in the local school etc. It is also needed for a variety of administrative procedures.

To get your empadronamiento you will need to go to the Ayuntamiento (city hall) or Junta Municipal de Distrito (neighborhood administrative office) and bring:
* '''The form required (which you will get once there)'''
* '''Your passport'''
* '''Proof of where you are living (your contract or if you share a flat bring the person who has signed the contract and is registered already with you.'''

It is a quick procedure and usually only takes a few minutes if there is not a line.
Interesting to know about the Empadronamiento is that it is '''STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL'''.

For those who don’t have their papers in order, they have nothing to fear from registering. It’s in the city’s best interest to have an accurate count of the number of people within their jurisdiction and they will NOT use this list to go after illegal immigrants or those who overstay their visas.

===CatSalut===

* '''What is CatSalut?''' Please have a look in [http://www10.gencat.cat/catsalut/eng/coneix.htm here]

* '''What do you need to get the CatSalut card?'''
The documents needed are the following:
** '''Passport'''
** '''Stamped NIE application form (Número NIE)'''
** '''Registering as a citizen at the local Town hall (Certificado de Empadronamiento)'''
** '''E121 (They will give it to you there)'''

===Bank Account===
* '''What do I need to open up a bank account?'''

Normally when you open a bank account you need some documents ready in order to have not to come back again:

* NIE
* Passport
* Eventually you might need:
** Seguridad Social
** Work contract/salary sheet
* It's always good to bring copies of the documents as well. Sometimes they might want to keep it, sometimes not.

* '''Which is the best bank to open an account?'''
There are many different banks, so every bank has its own procedure and can be better than another one.
Please have a look at the following banks and look carefully their internet sites:

* BBVA ( Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria):[http://www.bbva.es/]
* BSCH ( Banco Santander Central Hispano):[http://www.gruposantander.es/]
* La Caixa : [http://www.lacaixa.es/]
* Caixa Catalunya : [http://www.caixacatalunya.es/] (very friendly and they don't ask for a minimum amount)
* Banesto : [http://www.banesto.es]

Some banks could be asking you to give them your salary paper because they are strict so be sure you start with a bank where they don't ask for it : La Caixa

===Other Information===
* '''Where can I make copies of my passport?'''

Normally it's not hard to find a shop where to make copies so you don't need anything more than walk some meters and you will always find an internet cafe' or some newspaper shop where you can ask to make a copy of your passport

* '''Where can I take passport photos?'''

There are 2 ways to take them:

* 1 - Going to a small kiosk under the metro station or outside where you can pay for the small photos
* 2 - Going to a photo shop where you will be paying some more money and they will take you photos and cut for you in order to be used in the passport

===Other links & information===
* http://www.movingtobarcelona.com/

==BAR CEL ONA - Personal Names==

Hey Couchsurfers, if you haven't seen these places and don't know these names, then you haven't been to Barcelona. :DDDD

===Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (1852-1926)===

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was born in 1852 in Reus to a family of coppersmiths from Riudoms. The smallest of five brothers, he moved to Barcelona in 1873 to study architecture, which he finished four years later. It is said that on awarding him his degree, the Director of the School of Architecture, Elies Rogent, muttered “Who knows whether we have given the degree to a madman or a genius: only time will tell”.

His first professional assignment was to design the new buildings of the textile cooperative of Mataró (1878), for which Gaudí conceived unusual catenary arches of wood and a giant bronze bee (symbol of the cooperative). In the same year, he designed a glass and crystal ware cabinet decorated with wrought-iron, mahogany and marquetry for a Catalan glove manufacturer, Esteban Cornellá, to display his products at the Universal Exhibition of Paris. The display cabinet seduced Eusebi Güell, an industrialist, aristocrat and rising politician, who was to become the patron of the young architect. Gaudí’s first commission for Güell was to design the furniture of the pantheon that the Marquis of Comillas, Güell’s all-powerful father-in-law, possessed on the outskirts of Santander. This assignment was followed by another, a pergola decorated with globes and hundreds of glass pieces. From then on his career and his work, which in the course of time became one of the most famous symbols of Barcelona, were intimately linked to the Güell family.
In 1883 the Church commissioned him to build the Sagrada Família, which was to become the great work of his life, and in which he invested all the efforts of his last years. This gradual concentration on the great expiatory temple ran parallel to the consolidation of a fervent Catholicism, an aspect which had not been apparent in the young Gaudí. In his maturity, the great Catalan architect was known to be a frugal and solitary man who devoted all his energy to the profession through which he expressed his two great passions: Christianity and Catalan nationalism. His obstinate defense of Catalan identity even led to his arrest by the police in 1924 on Catalan National day (11th September), for refusing to submit to an officer who ordered him to speak in Spanish.

On 7th June 1926, Gaudí was hit by a tram when he was crossing the Gran Via. Initially on his admission the staff of the hospital, who struggled to save his life for three days, took him for a beggar because of his humble attire.

===La Rambla===
The original Rambla was a wide, rambling path that ran down the southern limits of the city parallel to the medieval wall built by king James 1st in the 13th century. One hundred years later a new wall would surround the Raval and leave the Rambla wall enclosed, without its theoretical defensive function. However, the wall gates (Santa Anna, Portaferrissa, Boqueria, Trentaclaus and Framenors) did not disappear and continued to be meeting points for open air markets, or were “recycled” into new buildings, such as a cannon factory. “Rambla”, in Arabic, means “watercourse” and this is precisely what it was: a torrent, known as the Cagalell, which had become both the sewer and the moat of the city. In the 16th century, the first religious centres (Convent de Sant Josep, 1586), schools (Estudis Generals, 1536) and theatres (Teatro de la Santa Creu, 1597) began to appear on the southern bank. Thus the 17th-century Rambla had the city wall on one side and churches and convents on the other side, in what is now the Raval district. In the late 18th century, military engineers under Juan M. Cermeño transformed this wide ditch into an elegant avenue, channelling the stream under ground and clearing plots for new, aligned buildings.

There is only one Rambla, but each section has been given a different name: going up from the port you will walk along Rambla de Santa Mònica, Rambla dels Caputxins, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla dels Estudis and Rambla de Canaletes. These names are not gratuitous but correspond to the monasteries, churches or buildings that stood beside the avenue that began to take shape as the ditch was filled in. In 1768 old king James’s wall was demolished and work began on the construction of some of the most emblematic buildings, such as Palau de la Virreina and Palau Moja, and Casa March de Reus (built by Joan Soler i Faneca in 1780) which is left behind down the Rambla, at number 8. The last great transformation of the Rambla was in the 19th century, when the disentailment of the church’s property as a result of liberal policies led to the disappearance of most monasteries that stood on it. They were replaced by new streets (Carrer Ferran), public spaces (Plaça Reial), markets (La Boqueria) and buildings that have become emblematic (Liceu). The Rambla is currently the best showcase of the city, of its history and of the life of its citizens, as was described by the Catalan writer Josep Plà in one of his works: “The Rambla is a marvel. It is one of the few streets of Barcelona in which I feel fully at ease. There are always enough people to meet someone you know, but there are always enough people to go unnoticed if you wish”.

===Sagrada Família===
Going up Carrer Sicilia and turning right at Carrer Mallorca we reach the TEMPLE EXPIATORI DE LA SAGRADA FAMÍLIA. (EXPIATORY TEMPLE OF THE HOLY FAMILY). Gaudí was a unique architect in his time, and one of the few in the history of architecture to have had a commission that lasted a lifetime -in fact, a commission that outlived him. The Sagrada Família is a work of great brilliance and ambition and of giant aspirations. The origin of the Expiatory Church of the Holy Family dates back to 1869 when Josep M. Bocabella, founder of the Josephite Association dedicated to fostering devotion to Saint Joseph, had the idea of building a church to honour the Holy Family (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ). Bocabella bought a site and in 1882 started to build a church in a Neo-Gothic style with the aim of creating a cathedral for the poor, to counteract the anticlerical radicalism that was beginning to spread among the lower classes of Barcelona (the city anarchist leader Mikhail Bakunin had pointed out as the most revolutionary in all of Europe). However, in the course of time the church took on a very different meaning as conservative Catalan nationalists began to identify with the project. The initial design of the church was by Francesc de Paula Villar, but the lack of understanding between the owner and the architect led to a radical change of plans. Villar was dismissed and replaced by Antoni Gaudí, who finished the crypt and presented a new, far more ambitious plan: to build a cathedral with a great, central, 170-metre-high tower dedicated to the Saviour. Pious Mr. Bocabella was thrilled with the idea and Gaudí plunged into the project. Progress, however, was not easy. In 1891 he started work on the Nativity façade: thirty-four years later, in 1925, Gaudí had finished only the first of the four bell towers that crown this façade. The other three were finished after the death of the architect.

The Sagrada Família may be considered a Bible in stone, owing to the great number of Christian symbols that Gaudí placed on its façades. These include, or rather will include once finished, Adam and Eve, the Twelve Apostles, all the episodes of the life of Jesus and all the main symbols of the Old Testament. The Sagrada Família is, indeed, a monument that could be used as an introductory crash-course to Catholic religion. The importance of this building is not, however, exclusively religious. It is also the “book of Gaudí”, the clearest lesson of his way of building, a kind of testament in which Gaudí applied all the structural solutions that he had studied and tested in his different works. The work where he paid his last homage to nature, which he called “the best builder” and which he always strove to imitate. One can see this clearly in the way the church is supported on leaning columns whose branches support small hyperboloid sections of vault, producing the effect of a forest.

The Nativity Façade, on Carrer Marina, is Gaudí’s great work. Almost completed by the architect, it attempts to express and communicate the joy of creation through the birth of Jesus. In the central archivolt, one can see Jesus, Joseph and Mary under the Star of Bethlehem and with the ox and the mule, surrounded by angels, musicians and singers. A careful examination of the façade’s decoration reveals over a hundred plant species and a hundred animals sculpted on the archivolts and ribs. This façade has three doors. The central one is the Door of Charity, inscribed with the names of the genealogy of Christ, from the beginning of the snake with the apple to the baby Jesus with the ox and the mule, and the signs of the Zodiac as they were on the day of Christ’s birth. On the south side is the Door of Hope, representing the marriage of Joseph and Mary, the flight to Egypt, the massacre of the innocents and a representation of the Montserrat mountain with the inscription “Salveu-nos” (“Save us”: Montserrat Mountain is traditionally considered a holy mountain and the Virgin of Montserrat the patron of Catalonia). On the opposite side is the Door of Faith representing the scenes of the Visitation; Jesus among the wise men in the temple and at his carpenter’s bench. The pinnacles of this façade resemble ears of corn and bunches of grapes, presided by the image of Mary as the Immaculate Conception. The façade as a whole celebrates the triumph of life.

The Passion Façade on Carrer Sardenya is the counterpoint to the Nativity Façade. This façade includes over a hundred contemporary sculptures evoking the Passion by the sculptor Josep Maria Subirachs. Desolation, nudity, pain and sacrifice all accompany the death of Christ to announce his resurrection and ascent to heaven. Gaudí often repeated that, had he started with this façade, people would have rejected the Sagrada Família outright. In contrast with the decorated, ornamented and turgid Nativity Façade, the Passion Door is harsh and naked, as if it were made of bones. Through a larger portico supported by six large leaning columns as sequoia tree trunks, an immense pediment rises with 18 smaller columns supporting an inner portico. The lack of decoration concentrates the tragedy in the dramatic main events, presided by the naked figure of Christ at the moment of his death.

The main façade, which will represent the life and destiny of man, is still to be built. According to Gaudí’s plan, it will face the sea looking over Carrer Mallorca, which would be covered by a large plaza reached by a huge staircase rising from what today is the doomed block of houses facing the temple. What is beginning to take shape is totally new forms in the naves of the church, which show unusual geometrical and structural solutions. The naves of the church are the result of years of study and reflection: it wasn’t until 1910 that Gaudí started the study of the naves, incorporating the experience he had acquired in the chapel of the Colònia Güell. However, the discovery of the luminosity of the hyperboloid led Gaudí to use concave-convex domes fitted to columns, walls and windows. At a scale of 1/10, this was the vision of the forest that he often used to explain his design.

The museum of the church conserves the history of its construction in site plans, photographs of different periods of the construction, fragments of models, iconography and wrought iron, wood and metal work designed by Gaudí, in addition to photographs and an audiovisual presentation on other buildings by the same architect. One can also see the models of the central nave and the façades. The most outstanding exhibits are the model that was used to calculate the structure of the church of the Colònia Güell (a solution including slightly helicoidal columns and paraboloid-helicoid arches) and a score of original drawings by the architect. There are also photographs of other buildings by Gaudí and elements that he designed and that were modelled in the workshops of the church. One of the adjoining facilities is the Sagrada Família Schools, a simple curvilinear building with the stamp of Gaudí that dazzled Le Corbusier with its technical boldness. These schools, originally intended for the children of the builders who were working on the site, form an innovative building in which Gaudí did not use iron and made all the structures with brick, thus achieving great plasticity with a very cheap material.

===Lluís Domènech i Montaner===
The son of a bookbinder, Lluís Domènech i Montaner was born in Barcelona on 27 December 1849. He was a versatile man who combined his passion for drawing with literature, history, deluxe editions, teaching, politics -and of course architecture. Domènech understood the work of an architect as similar to that of an orchestra conductor. He held the baton and all the instruments (the glaziers, the sculptors, the carpenters, the manufacturers of mosaics and paving...) had to sound perfect.

The young Domènech was a brilliant student of physical and natural sciences in Barcelona, and later of engineering in Madrid. This discipline led him finally to study architecture, in which he qualified in 1873. He was a lecturer at the School of Architecture of Barcelona from its foundation in 1875 (so he taught Gaudí and Puig i Cadafalch), and he was director of the School from 1900 to 1920. The publication in 1879 in the journal La Renaixença of the article “En busca de una arquitectura nacional” (“The quest for a national architecture”) gave him, along with other later works, a certain fame as an art theoretician and disseminator of the latest ideas in architecture, especially those of his much admired Viollet-le-Duc.

Considered today by many to be the “most Modernista” of the artists of Catalan Modernisme, Lluís Domènech did indeed travel and he knew what was being done in the rest of Europe by the artists of the Art Nouveau, Secession and the Arts and Crafts movements, with some of whom he established a friendship. He was, in fact, a humanist of his time, who developed himself in a wide range of fields, including botany, publishing and illustration. He was one of the most outstanding heraldists in the country, a journalist of certain renown and on several occasions he was elected president of the Ateneu Barcelonès, the main cultural association of the time. He had a long political career, starting in a Catalan nationalist movement called Jove Catalunya (Young Catalonia) and reaching the presidency of the Lliga de Catalunya and the Unió Catalanista, the first major parties of the Catalan Renaixença (the “Rebirth” of Catalan culture and nationalism, which came to life in the second half of the 19th Century). He was foremost in the drafting of the first declaration of sovereignty for Catalonia, Les Bases de Manresa in 1892, and he was elected member of the Madrid Congress in in 1904 in the so-called “four presidents’ ticket”, considered to be the first political triumph of Catalan nationalism. Soon, however, Domènech came into conflict with the almighty leader of the Lliga Regionalista, Francesc Cambó, and he abandoned conservative Catalan nationalism to found a new left-wing party, Esquerra Catalana, and to become the editor of its newspaper El Poble Català.

General Primo de Rivera in 1923 led to the dismantling of the regional structures of government in Catalonia, the prohibition of Catalan nationalist political activity at all levels, and the suppression of all but the most naive expressions of Catalan culture (even the Barcelona Football Club stadium was closed!). Domènech, always a passionate lover of life and refinement and of the most civilised forms of expression, felt profoundly affected by the brutal repression of a military regime that he could only see as illegitimate and barbaric. He retired to family life and died that winter, on the same day on which he had been born.

In addition to Barcelona, Domènech performed several important works in Canet de Mar, the home town of the family of his mother, Maria Montaner, and in Reus, thanks to his great friendship with the intellectual Pau Font de Rubinat.

===Park Güell===
Gaudí’s unfinished urbanistic dream, listed UNESCO World Heritage in 1984. The most ambitious urban planning operation of Barcelona in the late 19th century was idea of Gaudí’s main patron, Eusebi Güell, who in 1899 bought an old rural estate of 15 hectares called Can Muntaner de Dalt for conversion into a luxury garden city inspired in Ebenezer Howard’s model (and so the name was -and still is- spelt the English way: “Park”, as opposed to “Parc”, in Catalan).

Predictably, the person entrusted with carrying out Güell’s landscape planning scheme was Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí’s project involved the construction of a housing estate of 60 private plots and large common greens. Gaudí devised the idea of a bucolic retreat for the highest bourgeoisie of Barcelona. Its location on the hillside and far from the city was ideal to symbolise the metaphor of the ascent to paradise, to Eden. The project, however, was a total failure. Development of the estate began between 1900 and 1904 and was definitively halted in 1914. One plot was purchased by the owner of the construction company developing the works, and two more plots were sold to a single purchaser, who had only one villa built. As for the common facilities, three crosses were built to mark the place where the chapel was to be erected, but only the two entrance pavilions, the retaining walls and all the road infrastructure around a large square supported by columns were completed. As a result of this financial disaster, the heirs of Eusebi Güell, who died in 1918, sold the site to the City Council, and it was decided to preserve it as a public park. The prodigious structures raised among the typical Mediterranean vegetation are a curious mixture of fantasy and spirituality, which the staunch patriot Gaudí interspersed with Catalan emblems. A work, in short, where Gaudí gave up his habitual historicism and boldly chose a language of his own ranging from naturally-inspired forms to a surprisingly avant-garde plasticity.

The main gate of Park Güell, featuring a brick wall decorated with mosaics, is protected by a wrought iron railing and flanked by two evocative pavilions that reproduce the story of Hansel and Gretel, which was performed as an opera at the Liceu in late 1900, the same period Gaudí began to design the Park Güell. The smaller one on the left with a double cross on the roof, is the house of the children Hansel and Gretel: it currently has a bookshop and souvenir shop on the ground floor. The house on the right, crowned by a poisonous toadstool-shaped dome, represents the Witch’s dwelling -interestingly, it was meant to be the house of the Park’s guard. It now houses the Interpretation Centre of the Park, part of the Barcelona History Museum. The free-access ground floor has information on Gaudí’s work, but you must pay a fee to go upstairs to see the original house of the guard and the exhibition “Gaudí and Park Güell. Architecture and Nature”. Beyond the two pavilions, on the right one can see a kind of grotto supported by a central column that becomes wider at the top, as if it were a wine glass, meant as a shelter for carriages and horses on rainy days.

The main staircase is parted by a small waterfall featuring the famous multi-coloured dragon of glazed ceramic trencadís. The stairs lead to the hypostyle hall, also known as the Hall of the 100 Columns though it only has 86. This hall, originally intended to be the market of the future housing estate, was decorated by Gaudí’s assistant Josep Maria Jujol, who was given 'carte blanche' to do so. The result was exceptional: an undulating ceiling of mosaic with varied incrustations forming capricious spirals. When this zone was restored in 1992 lights were added at the base of the columns, which create a spectacular resemblance to a Greek church at night. From the hypostyle hall two paths lead to the great circular square, a marvellous belvedere overlooking the city. According to Gaudí’s initial design, this square was to collect rainwater, channelled down inside the columns of the hypostyle hall to be collected in a huge cistern holding up to 12,000 cubic metres (not open to the public).

The square is surrounded by a winding bench of trencadís in which the imagination of Gaudí and Jujol achieved an extraordinary boldness, considered by some specialists a forerunner of abstract art. The bench is a symphony of colours: greens, blues and yellows are used in different combinations, forming moon shapes and stars and abstract flowers. Colour, however, fades away gradually from left to right, and at the far right the bench is mainly white, the symbol of purity. The bench seems to hint that human life is a kaleidoscope of colours that culminate after death in heavenly white. The white of this part of the bench is not, however, a pure white: here Gaudí used materials that had been rejected in other buildings, such as Casa Batlló, precisely because of the “impurity” of this white. The last restoration of the bench (1995) has maintained this imperfection by using up to 21 different hues and shades of white to replace the deteriorated parts.

Other unusual features of the Park Güell are its bridges and viaducts, with twisted, grotto-like columns. The fourth portico that connects the upper part with the lower part is perhaps the most Surrealist structure, with the leaning walls and arches that recall images by Dalí. The summit of the park is crowned by a monumental Calvary formed by three crosses at the place where Gaudí had planned to build the chapel. Even here the feverish architect had symbolic fantasies. If we look toward the east -toward Jerusalem, as it were- the perspective seems to merge all three crosses into one. This is the final point of the ascent: the cross is the ultimate symbol.

* Address: Olot, s/n; ctra. del Carmel, s/n.
* Park opens November through February from 8am to 6pm. March and October, 8am to 7pm. April and September 8am to 8pm. May through August 8am to 9pm.
* [http://parkguell.net84.net/eng/ More information about the park.]

===Tramvia Blau===
Near La Rotonda, at the beginning of Avinguda del Tibidabo, there is a stop where you can catch the TRAMVIA BLAU. (BLUE TRAM). This tram, which originally dates from the Modernista period, is a pleasant way to approach the mountain, on a relaxed ride between majestic houses and gardens up to the funicular lower station. The six trams on the route cover the distance of 1,276 metres, including a difference in altitude of 93 metres, at an average speed of 10 kph. The Tramvia Blau’s first service on 29 October 1901 was the fulfilment of Doctor Salvador Andreu’s ambition to open up an alternative way to the Tibidabo, direct to his funfair at the summit. At first the fleet consisted of four trams that covered the route between Passeig de Sant Gervasi, the end of the line for Barcelona’s urban trams, and the lower station of the Tibidabo funicular half way up the mountain. In 1981, following a long period of restoration work, two old trams were put back into operation: tram number 2 from 1901, which had been out of service for 30 years, and the model popularly known as “la Jardinera” (“the Flower Box”) which had once run along the sea front. The renewal of the tracks on 1984 and the construction work on the city’s second ring road in 1990 affected the line’s old route. However, advantage was taken of this circumstance to build a new transformer station and refurbish the tracks and the tram sheds.

* Address: Avinguda del Tibidabo, s/n.
* Prices (2008): Single ticket: €2.60. Return ticket: €3.90.
* Open Timetables may vary with the seasons, it is advised to chek them beforehand.

===Mercat de la Boqueria===
==== 1200 - 1700 (Origin) ====

The Boqueria Market, as known nowadays, has been through many phases. Throught this document, we'll try to give a faithfull description of facts Where this market comes from is uncertain, what we are sure of is that it was born as a traveling market, placed in Ramblas of Barcelona. La Rambla adquired importance as a pedestrian lane, and the market couldn't be set in a better place, and it's location was many times threatened. Taking into consideration that in Catalunya, towns and cities have been founded around markets, we find that it's origens are as an open air market, infront of one of the gates of the old wall (Pla de la Boqueria) where salesmen and fruit and vegetable vendors from other towns and farms nearby settled to sale their products. Inner spaces where small for the stablishment of a big market and was necesary to set them outside the walls. It seems that some time ago vegetables were sold precisely at Pla de la Boqueria, where farmers of orchards stablished near paseo de la Ronda, known as "huertos de Sant Antoni, Sant Pau and Sant Bertran". Furhter stoped the farmers of the neighbour towns from Corts de Sarriá and Sarriá itself and between the old greengrocers and the new ones there would be fights, that would lead to not leaving tables and other things in the same warehouses. The primitive "marmanyeres" had the wide street of Figuera to rest their products, that went from calle Hospital to la Petxina and which was obstructed to public acces because of the construction of the legendary "casa de la Sileta". The "marmanyeres" of Sarriá left their things on another street, called "Sarrianesses". The market of Pla. de la Boqueria was called Bornet. Until 1794 it was called "Mercado de la Paja" (market of the hei), that's why at that time it was know as Pla del Peso de la Paja (Square of the Weight of the Straw) The market was surrounded by portics intending to be the first market in Europe. Later the Market didn't get built as it was projected. With all that, the market of Pla. de la Boqueria didn't have official caracter and became an extension of "Plaza Nueva" which grew to Plaza del Pi and by the riera with the same name connected with la Rambla.

==== 1701 - 1900 ====

It was believed convinient to take the market out of those two sqares and reorganize ir in Rambla de Sant Josep, and then the fish shops was built and butcher and bird shops were built, which formed streets by the side of the convent and the Virreina. The open air market, in Rambla de Sant José was inaugurated October 18th, 1827. - In 1823 it moved up to "Convento del Carme", but when religious orders went back to convents it went back to la Rambla, from where still wasn't taken out at all. Then it was projected to built a special constructiion for the market in the orchard of Infants Ofres' house, by calle Elisabets. - In 1826 The Marquee of Campo Sagrado, general captain of Catalunya ordered to regulate for the first time the flying market of la Boqueria. In 1835 took place the destruction of the convent of Sant Josep, then a square similar to the Plaza Reial was constructed in its lot, everything surrounded by porches and named Plaza del Treball. It had to had gardens and foutains and a very high column of monumental, allegorical sense of the work. At that time it would've been the the greatest square in Barcelona, since it had to connect with Jerusalem street. When the urbanization was almost ready and while the moment was expected to begin works of the new market in the orchard of the "Orfes", it was believed necessary to temporarily install the market in the lot of the old convent of Sant Josep to be able to remove it from the middle of la Rambla. That's why the houses that surround and frame the market of the Boqueria form porches, that are not like the present market, but to the projected Plaza del Trabajo, in style of the Real. In 1836 when the convent of the Carmelitas dissapeared with it's church of Saint Josep, the city hall projected the construction of the market. The project was in charge of the architect Mas Vilá. That year the market was inaugurated.

St. Joseph's day in 1840 the first stone of the market of la Boqueria was placed. In 1848 was constructed an enclosure for the fishmonger's shop behind the palace of the Virreina. Also was built the pavilion "Repeso" that would later become the office of the Direction and Veterinary Services. The new market was insufficient. - In 1853 the market acquired to official character when 14 florists paid their tables, and they were uniformed. This is the origin of the florists of la Rambla. -In 1861 some fruits and vegetables salesmen wer allowed to settle provisionally at Plaza Sant Agustí and it was then when la Rambla remained exclusively for flower stands. Many salesmen gave out a flower for the purchase of some of their products. The sale of flowers increased. - In 1863, the retail places of fruits and vegetables, settled underneath the porches. - In the 1869 the convent of Jerusalen was demolished, behind the market to extend it in that direction. - In Christmas of 1871, the gas illumination was inaugurated. In 1911 the actual fishmonger's shop was built. In the beginning of the XIX century, la Rambla had from Carme st. to la Petxina, the width that has today the front part of the Palace of the Virreina. In the space between the houses and the trees, was the market divided in differentiated sectors (according to the product that was dealt).

==== 1901 - 2007 ====

In 1914 the market with the metal deck was inaugurated. As from there it began to modernize and to improve, not only at sanitary level, aesthetic, and decorative. These places have been demolished several times. Before in Plaza Galdrich (of the farmers) there were wooden shaks, where gentlemen with a typewriter wrote up what people asked them to. Long lines formed. These services we give them today at the information point.

==== Today ====

Throughout the years La Boqueria has become the most emblematic market of all the network. The structure, the situation, and the salesmen turn it into an obligated (must-see) to all the tourists who visit our city. This market has for the Barcelonians, the suggestion of a family memoire, it's entwined with the city history, of all our families, their popular traditions and celebrations. The present salesmen are mostly, of the third and fourth generation of salesmen of the market. They are the union of the past with the present. Inovators, full of projects and renovation ideas of la Boqueria for the new Barcelona. The commercial supply is vary; fresh fish and seafood, salty fish, tinned food, butchery and offal, birds, hunt and eggs, fruits and vegetables, herbes and dietetic, delicatessen, bread furnace, restaurants, frozens, specialities, charcuterie, farmer stops, etc...

==Emergency List==

===Police Stations===

If you are really unlucky and manage to land yourself into trouble, here's a list of the local police stations:

- Ambulance, Emergencies, Firemen, Police: '''112'''

- Police Stations in Barcelona: '''(+34) 93.290.30.00'''

- Fire Department - Bombers/Bomberos: '''080'''

- Local Police - Guardia Urbana : '''092'''

- Catalan National Police - Mossos d'esquadra: '''088''' - '''[https://www10.gencat.cat/jusinte_di/AppJava/jsp/form/idioma.jsp To make complaint online visit]'''

- Policía Nacional '''091'''

- Guardia Civil '''062''' borders police, customs

=== Hospitals ===

- Ambulance, Emergencies, Firemen, Police: '''112'''

- Medical Emergencies: '''061'''

- Fire Department: '''080'''

- Hospital Vall d'Hebron - Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129 Barcelona - '''(+34) 93.489.30.00 | (+34) 93.274.60.00''' - [http://www.vhebron.net/ Web]

- Hospital Clínic i Provincial - Villarroel nº 170 Barcelona - '''(+34) 93.227.54.00''' - [http://www.hospitalclinic.org/ Web]

- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau - C/Sant Quintí, 89 Barcelona - '''(+34) 93.291.91.91''' - [http://www.santpau.es Web]

- Hospital del Mar -Passeig Marítim 25-29 Barcelona -'''(+34) 93.248.30.00 | (+34) 93.248.90.11''' - [http://www.hospitaldelmar.org/hospitals/hospital-del-mar/ Web]

- Hospital de l'Esperança - Sant Josep de la Muntanya, 12 Barcelona - '''(+34) 93 367 41 00 | (+34) 93.248.90.11''' - [http://www.hospitaldelmar.org/hospitals/hospital-esperan Web]

- Hospital Sant Joan de Deu '''specialized in children''' - Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2. 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat - '''(+34) 93.253.21.00''' - [http://www.hsjdbcn.org/ Web]

- Hospital de Nens de Barcelona '''specialized in children''' - Carrer Consell de Cent, 437 Barcelona- '''(+34 ) 93.231.05.12''' - [http://www.hospitaldenens.com Web]

- Funeral Services: '''(+34) 93.484.17.00'''

=== Embassies and Consulates ===

- Foreign Embassies & Consulates in Spain:
[http://www.embajada-online.com/embajadas-de-otros-paises-en-Espana-P166.htm Embassies] |
[http://www.embajada-online.com/consulados-de-otros-paises-en-Espana-P166.htm Consulates]

- Spanish Embassies & Consulates abroad:
[http://www.embajada-online.com/embajadas-de-Espana-en-otros-paises-P166.htm Embassies] |
[http://www.embajada-online.com/consulados-de-Espana-en-otros-paises-P166.htm Consulates]

=== Official and Crisis Unit ===

- Office Against Discrimination: '''(+34) 93.304.31.18'''

- Ajuntament de Bacelona: '''010'''

- Generalitat de Catalunya: '''012'''

- Diputació Provincial: '''(+34) 93.402.22.22'''

- Parlament de Catalunya: '''(+34) 93.221.20.00'''

- Veterinarian Services - 24 hours-: '''(+34) 93 205 31 16 | (+34) 93.581.18.94 | (+34) 93.426.87.46'''

- Information about On-Call Pharmacies: '''(+34) 93.481.00.60'''

===Fraud Prevention Unit, Banks & Info===

(Lost Credit Cards)

- Visa - MasterCard - Servired: '''(+34) 93.315.25.12 | (+34) 91.519.21.00'''

- American Express: '''(+34) 91.572.03.20'''

- Dinner's Club: '''902.401.112'''

- Red 6000: '''(+34) 91.596.53.35 | (+34) 91.596.53.00'''

(Banks)

- Caixa d'Estalvis de Catalunya: '''(+34) 93.484.50.00'''

- Caixa d'Estalvis de Girona: '''900.300.259'''

- Caixa d'Estalvis Laietana: '''(+34) 93.741.75.00'''

- Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona: '''(+34) 93.330.70.09 | 900.300.081'''

- Caja de Madrid: '''(+34) 91.519.38.00'''

- Caja Ahorros de Galicia: '''902.432.433'''

=== Emergencies and Last Minute Couch Requests ===

We have two group:

''' BCN Last Minute Couch Request''' [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=5017].

'''S.O.S. - No couch requests - REAL EMERGENCIES ONLY''' [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=21454].

=== Your Local CS Ambassadors ===

(Guidance Note: Provide a link to your city's/area's nearest ambassador (if there is none in the city, then at least the one who's nearest is just as good, as a poin tof contact through CS. Any further information you put here is optional and down to you (some Ambasadors chose to make their phonenumber pubillc for members to contact them in case of emergency. If you already list that in your profile, then you could list it here as well. But, remember, you don't *have to*. If you don't offer such information, then this is absolutely understandable. Providing links to the Local Ambassador's profile, in this section, is more than enough).

==Working==

The main site to find a job in Barcelona: [http://www.infojobs.net/ Infojobs]

For English speaking jobs and work in Barcelona, check out [http://www.jobsinbarcelona.es/ JobsinBarcelona]

==Pickpockets, Thieves, and Self-Defense ==

MOST VISITORS TO European and other countries don't encounter pickpockets or thieves regardless of how or where valuables are carried. In one developing North African country with a rap for rip-offs only five percent of visitors are victimized by thievery, according to a British magazine survey. In your travels you will mostly experience waitresses chasing you down with a forgotten camera, taxi drivers taking the best route, other backpackers looking out for your stuff, the correct change in your hand time after time, the shining honesty and kindness of good people.

Nevertheless, if you make it easy there are a few thieves everywhere (including Barcelona) who may steal your property, and the trouble and expense of replacing passports, tickets, travelers checks, and gear can wreak havoc on your tour. Fortunately, with common sense and an awareness of how thieves operate, risks can be reduced.

=== Dangerous Areas and Local Information ===
Every major city has an area more dangerous than elsewhere, and a time when this is especially true. It may even be safe during the day, but becomes sinister after nightfall. Such areas are always well-known to locals, so get advice from a hotel, tourist office, or waitress. Most guidebooks include warnings about red light or seedy areas, but conditions may have changed since the information was written.

Another point is that just because other travelers say someplace is perfectly safe, that doesn't make it true. It may only means they didn't encounter problems. I listened to an experienced backpacker swear how the dangers of a particular area were highly exaggerated or non-existent, when the previous day I had encountered three Germans who had been robbed at gunpoint there.

Local authorities and tourist offices cannot always be relied upon, either, as they may have an interest in minimizing problems, so you always need to use your eyes, ears, instincts, and best judgment, along with a few degrees of body lean towards safety, away from recklessness.

=== Pickpockets ===
As you wait in line at the crowded Amsterdam tourist office continuously blaring over the loudspeaker is this warning in six languages: "Your attention, please. Watch your wallets, there are pickpockets about!"

That tourist office is tough pickings for any would-be pickpocket, as everyone is continuously fidgeting with pockets or purses, and throwing about a great many suspicious looks.

I have, however, encountered a number of pickpockets in my travels. While queuing in a train station I observed a pickpocket's hand stealthily slip into a purse. For some reason the snatch couldn't be made, so he slithered into another line and attempted to lift a wallet from a back pocket. (I then made his presence known, but he immediately disappeared into the crowd.)

I have also chased hands from my pockets four times--twice while disembarking crowded buses (a very vulnerable situation1); while temporarily blinded as I descended into a dark, sleazy club from a bright street; and in a market. A travel mate had her fanny pack unzipped and wallet removed while pressed against a wall of people in a crowded market. Another backpacker in the same country had been pickpocketed three times in two months, also in markets. Said he, "They're good."

The professional pickpocket in the developed world has a more-or-less standard operating procedure. He chooses a likely target--someone who obviously has money within easy reach, which includes back pockets and purses. If the thief cannot get the money cleanly, he or a partner will create a distraction by bumping the target, violently colliding with the target, or spilling something on the target. The wallet is snatched and within two seconds discreetly handed to a partner who quickly walks away. The money and valuables are removed and the rest dumped within a few more seconds.

Even if you see or feel what is happening, you have no evidence. The scoundrel says someone shoved him into you, you fell into him, or you were trying to rob him.

Another tactic is to create a disturbance with the target's friend or partner, and then pickpocket the real target while he/she is distracted.

These pickpockets look for easy marks. As long as you don't dangle your money in a purse, or dangle it in a back pocket, or otherwise dangle it on a thread ten feet behind you, they will choose an easier target, of which there are many.

In the developing world you are a juicy target because pickpockets know you have ten, a hundred, or a thousand times more money than the average local. You are the target. There is no getting around that. But if you keep most of your money in a hidden money belt against your skin as detailed below, you'll be safe from pickpockets.

=== Money Belts--Your Best Defense ===
"Money belt" does not mean the fanny or waist pack many tourists wear outside their clothes. If you wear one of these in some areas you will immediately see "$" signs light up in some eyes. And I'm willing to bet when you see a waist pack on a tourist your first thought will be something like "Big, fat bag of money!" Imagine your thoughts if you were hungry and jobless, or a street urchin with no one to look after you.

You can probably use a waist pack in Europe without incident. Millions of tourists enjoy their convenience, and they are safer than pockets and purses. But they are not nearly as safe as hidden money belts. Criminals know waist packs are "where the money is," and no waist pack is a match for their deft hands and incredibly sharp razors.

Thus the primary achievement of hidden money belts is the "out of sight, out of mind" principle. It's almost a secondary benefit that they are impossible for a thief to snatch without your knowledge.

==Other tips==

Experience BCN like a local! For tips by Barcelona locals, check out [http://www.SpottedbyLocals.com/barcelona Spotted by Locals Barcelona].

==Info for Barcelona hosts==

In your profile, you can add the following text to your "Couch Information" so you give people the basic information any CSer needs to know when planning to come to our city.

If you are coming to Barcelona, check this post in Barcelona group, with basic information which is very useful for CSers who come to Barcelona: [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=497&post=951566 Read before posting in 'Barcelona' group - Helpful info inside -] Thanks!

[[Category:Spain]]

Madrid

2012-12-28T17:43:42Z

The juanderer: initial copying of text from http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Madrid

<TABLE Border="0" Align="Center">
<TR><TD Nowrap Align="Center">
[[File:Madrid_w.jpg|center]]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

Welcome to Madrid... and for sure to the MADRID WIKI!

In this Wiki you will find useful and common information that everybody is asking when they come to our city. Take your time exploring this Wiki, and if you don´t find (or you don´t understand) information about what are you looking for, feel free to ask us in the[http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=494 MADRID Group].

The Wiki is divided in 11 sections, each of them are in an individual page to make it easier to read and to find anything you need.

We hope to make this Wiki better and complete it with much more information...

Hey, Ho, Let´s GO!! :)

{{City
|name =Madrid
|country =Spain
|region =Europe
|nickname =De Madrid al Cielo.
|group =494
|wikipedia =Madrid
|wikitravel =Madrid
|image =Madrid_9.jpg
|imagetext =Madrid Sights
|ambassadors=[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_dev_1/#List_of_Ambassadors Ambassador List]
__TOC__
}}

= '''[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/ CS Madrid]''' =

*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/#Presentation_of_our_group 1.1. Presentation of our group].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/#Meetings 1.2. Meetings].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/#CS_links_-_Madrid_group_and_subgroups 1.3. CS links - Madrid group and subgroups].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/#List_of_Ambassadors 1.4. List of ambassadors].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_CS/#CS_Safety_.28Contact_person_in_the_group_in_case_of_an_emergency.29 1.5. CS safety].

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/ Transports]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacing="5" Cellpadding="5" Width="0%">
<TR>
<TD nowrap vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Tourist_Travel_Pass 2.1. Tourist Travel Pass].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Metro 2.2. Metro].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Taxis 2.3. Taxis].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Buses 2.4. Buses].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Local_buses 2.4.1. Local buses (EMT)].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#National_buses 2.4.2. National buses].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Trains 2.5. Trains].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Local_Trains 2.5.1. Local trains (Cercanías)].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#National_Trains 2.5.2. National trains (Renfe)].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Airport 2.6. Airport].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Luggage_lockers 2.7. Luggage lockers].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Car_and_Parking_facilities 2.8. Car and Parking facilities].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Car_Sharing 2.9. Car Sharing].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Transports/#Bicycle 2.10. Bicycle].

</TD>
<TD Nowrap>[[File:Madrid_2.jpg|290px|center]]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit What to visit]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacin="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR>
<TD>[[File:Madrid_3.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
</TR><TR>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Museums 3.1. Museums]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Sights 3.2. Sights]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Parks 3.3. Parks]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Markets 3.4. Markets]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Major_events_during_the_year 3.5. Major events during the year]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Guided_tours 3.6. Guided tours]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Madrid_for_families:_what_to_do_and_visit_with_children.3F 3.7. Madrid for families: what to do and visit with children?]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Meeting_points_in_Madrid 3.8. Meeting points in Madrid]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Brief_History_of_Madrid 3.9. Brief History of Madrid]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Visit#Free_Museums_in_Madrid 3.10. Free Museums in Madrid]

</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= '''[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/ Entertainment]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacin="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR>
<TD>[[File:Madrid_4.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Cinemas 4.1. Cinemas]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Theatres 4.2. Sports]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Sports 4.3. Theatres]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Thematic_Parks 4.4. Thematic Parks]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Zoo 4.5. Zoo]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Bullfighting 4.6. Bullfighting]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Flamenco_shows 4.7. Flamenco shows]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Entertainment/#Opera 4.8. Opera]

</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Where/ Where to...]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacin="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR>
<TD>[[File:Madrid_5.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Where/#Drink.2C_Eat_and_Party 5.1. Drink, Eat and Party].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Where/#Vegetarian_food 5.2. Vegetarian food].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Where/#Dancing 5.3. Dancing].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Where/#A_day_with_nothing_to_do.2C_and_few_money.3F 5.4. A day with nothing to do, and few money?]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/ Around Madrid: one-day excursions]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacin="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR>
<TD>[[File:Madrid_6.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Alcal.C3.A1_de_Henares 6.1 - Alcalá de Henares].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Aranjuez 6.2 - Aranjuez].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#.C3.81vila 6.3 - Ávila].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Cuenca 6.4 - Cuenca].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#San_Lorenzo_del_Escorial 6.5 - San Lorenzo del Escorial].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Segovia 6.6 - Segovia].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Toledo 6.7 - Toledo].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Trekking_-_hiking 6.8 - Trekking - hiking].
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Around/#Sweet_water_beaches 6.9 - Sweet water beaches].
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/ In case of an emergency]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacing="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR>
<TD>[[File:Sos.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Safety_in_Madrid 7.1. Safety in Madrid]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Hospitals.2FCentros_de_Salud 7.2. Hospitals/Centros de Salud]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Pharmacies.2FChemists 7.3. Pharmacies/Chemists]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Police 7.4. Police stations]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Firemen 7.5. Firemen]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Embassies 7.6. Embassies]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Lawyers 7.7. Lawyers]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Cancel_your_credit_card 7.8 Cancel your credit card]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_SOS/#Other 7.9. Other]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Communications Communications]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacing="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR><TD>[[File:Madrid_8.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Communications#Phone:_where_to_buy_them.2C_fares 8.1. Phone: where to buy them, fares]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Communications#Locutorios 8.2. Locutorios]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Communications#Post_offices 8.3. Post offices]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Communications#Wi-fi_bars_and_places 8.4. Wi-fi bars and places]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

= ''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living Living in Madrid]''' =

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacing="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR><TD>[[File:Madrid_9.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Madrid_Districts 9.1. Madrid Districts]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Language_schools 9.2. Language schools]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Work_in_Madrid 9.3. Work in Madrid]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Renting_flats_and_rooms 9.4. Renting flats and rooms]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Visa.2Fimmigration_information 9.5. Visa/immigration information]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Cost_of_living 9.6. Cost of living]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Shopping_Areas 9.7 Shopping Areas]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Going_out 9.8 Going Out]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Weather 9.9 Weather]
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Living#Health_Care 9.10 Health Care]
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

=''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation Accomodation]'''=

<TABLE Border="0" Cellspacing="5" Cellpadding="5">
<TR><TD>[[File:Madrid_10.jpg|center|caption]]
</TD>
<TD vAlign="Top">
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Appartments.2C_Flats.2C_Houses_and_Rooms 10.1 Appartments].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Appartments.2C_Flats.2C_Houses_and_Rooms 10.2 Flats].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Hotels 10.3 Hotels].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Hostels 10.4 Hostels].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Appartments.2C_Flats.2C_Houses_and_Rooms 10.5 Houses].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Appartments.2C_Flats.2C_Houses_and_Rooms 10.6 Rooms].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Accomodation#Rural 10.7 Rural].
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

=''' [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Collaboration Collaboration and Help]'''=
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Collaboration# Why this Wiki?].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Collaboration# Collaborators].
*[http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Madrid_Collaboration# Help Us].

Austin

2012-12-03T16:03:19Z

The juanderer: initial transfer of Austin wiki page from CS

{{United States}}
== '''Welcome to AWESOME AUSTIN!''' ==

This is our local community message board.
It's a place for travelers to meet Austinites, and for local members to meet each other.
Post about your cool events, favorite local spots, questions for the experts, or just introduce yourself and [http://www.austintexas.org/ KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!]

'''[http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=atxcouchsurfing%40gmail.com&ctz=America/Chicago Austin Couchsurfing Calendar of Events!]'''

'''Guidelines:'''
Couch Requests: Please ask members individually after reading their profile information.
For urgent or unique requests, you should post your request in the main Austin group.

'''Emergencies:'''
In a '''real emergency''' contact [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/sassyaustinredhead Marcy], CS Country Ambassador or [http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/omjoshuaom Joshua], the Austin City Ambassador.

'''Information about Austin:'''
[http://austin.citysearch.com/ Austin CitySearch], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin,_Texas Wikipedia], or offer a question here.

'''What to do in Austin:'''
*[http://www.austinchronicle.com/ The Austin Chronicle]
*[http://www.austin360.com/ Austin360]
*[http://www.austin365.com/ Austin365 Austin's Online Community]
*[http://www.austinlivemusic.com/ Austin Live Music]
*[http://www.austin.com/ Austin.com]
*[http://do512.com/ Do 512]
*[http://www.keepaustinweird.com/ Keep Austin Weird]
*[http://austin.smallplanetguide.com/rentals/index.php?p=austin_dont_miss Austin Small Planet Guide]
*[http://austin.smallplanetguide.com/rentals/index.php?p=austin_tx_overview Austin Living]

'''Events, Music & Film Festivals:'''
*[http://aftm.us/ Austin Friends of Traditional Music Festival - EARLY JANUARY]
*[http://www.austinjff.org Austin Jewish Film Festival - LATE JANUARY]
*[http://www.sxsw.com/ SXSW Film Festival- MID MARCH]
*[http://www.excaliburfaire.com Excaliber Fantasy Faire - MARCH-APRIL]
*[http://eeyores.sexton.com Eeyore’s Birthday Party - APRIL]
*[http://www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org/ Old Settler’s Music Festival - MID APRIL]
*[http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com/ The Old Pecan Street Festival – EARLY MAY]
*[http://www.kgsr.com/blues/index.html Blues on the Green – JUNE-AUGUST]
*[http://www.agliff.org/ Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival - EARLY SEPTEMBER]
*[http://www.fantasticfest.com/ Fantastic Fest - MID SEPTEMBER]
*[http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com/ The Old Pecan Street Festival – MID SEPTEMBER]
*[http://www.aclfestival.com/default.aspx Austin City Limits Festival – LATE SEPTEMBER]
*[http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/ Austin Film Festival - MID OCTOBER]
*[http://www.austincelts.org/festival/ Austin Celtic Festival - EARLY NOVEMBER]
*[http://www.armadillobazaar.com/ Armadillo Christmas Bazaar- MID DECEMBER]
*[http://austin.about.com/od/musicfestivals/Austin_Music_Festivals.htm Events in Austin]
*[http://www.austinfilm.org/ Austin Film Society]

'''Alternative Accommodations:'''

[http://www.hiaustin.org/ Hostelling International- Austin]
2200 S. Lakeshore Blvd. Austin, TX, 78741 512.444.2294

[http://www.rodewayinn.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=TX191&promo=gglocal Rodeway Inn University Downtown]
2900 N. I-35, Austin, TX, 78705-3404 512.477.6395

'''Getting Here & Getting Around:'''

'''BY PLANE'''
[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]
3600 Presidential Blvd. Austin, Texas 78719 512.530.2242

'''BY TRAIN'''
[http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage AmTrak]
250 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703 800.872.7245

'''BY BUS'''
[http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Austin Greyhound Station]
916 E Koenig Lane, Austin, TX 78751 512.458.4463
Baggage: 512.454.9686

[http://www.iridekbc.com/default.asp Coach America]
(Dobie Mall Stop near campus)
Funny Papers 2025 Guadalupe Street, Suite 256 Austin, TX 800.474.3352

[http://www.capmetro.org/ Austin Cap Metro]
2910 East 5th Street, Austin, Texas 78702 800.474.1201

'''BY BICYCLE'''
[http://austin.smallplanetguide.com/rentals/index.php?p=getting_around_austin_bicycling Biking in Austin]

Miami

2012-12-03T16:00:00Z

The juanderer: initial transfer of Miami wiki page from CS

{{United States}}
'''Welcome to the Miami Couchsurfing Wiki Page! Everybody feel free to contribute to help our community grow :-)'''

We probably should put some stuff in here, I'll get it started with a few sub headings & maybe some people in the know can add some content.....

Not sure how to contribute to the Wiki? Start by going [http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Help:Contents here.]

==Miami, USA==
'''Miami''' is a major city in southeastern Florida, in the United States, It is the county seat of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a gamma world city with an estimated population of 404,048. It is the largest city within the South Florida metropolitan area, which is the largest metropolitan area in the Southeastern United States with 5.5 million people. Miami and its surrounding cities make up the fifth largest urban area in the United States. As of 2005, the United Nations estimates that the Miami Urban Agglomeration is the fourth largest in the United States, and the 44th largest in the world. For more detailed info go [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami here]
to wikipedia :-)

= Around Miami - Tourist Tips =

==Where to party in Miami! Your daily guide.==
OK people, I need your help here!! We'll be discussing this on a thread in the Miami group to get your input. People come to Miami to party, so let's not let them down!!!

I'd also suggest browsing the [http://www.southbeach-usa.com/clubs/club-directory/bed.htm Miami Clubs, Lounges & Bars] Listing.

For weekly happenings, visit [http://www.miaminewtimes.com] or [http://www.cooljunkie.com]

* Friday :

* Saturday :

* Sunday :

* Monday :

* Tuesday :

* Wednesday :

* Thursday :

==Where to drink (work in progress)==

Bars and Hangouts:

South Beach:
* Zeke's (625 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach)
* Abbey Brewing Company (1115 16th St, Miami Beach)
* Abraxas Lounge (407 Meridian Ave, Miami Beach)
* Rooftop at Townhouse Hotel (150 20th St, Miami Beach)
* Jazid (1342 Washington Ave, Miami Beach)
* The Room
* The Office
* Nikki Beach: Resort community Bar/club, 1 Ocean Dr Miami, FL 33139.
* BED: (929 Washington Ave, Miami Beach) expensive, but really good on South Beach. Best night ???

North Bay Village/Upper East Side:
* Shuckers: (1819 79th St Cswy, North Bay Village) cheap bar/ restaurant with amazing bayview.
* Boteco: (916 NE 79th St, Miami)

Downtown
* Tobacco Road (626 S Miami Ave, Miami)
* Transit Lounge
* The White Room
* The Vagabond

Design District:
* Circa 28 (best night is Saturday night)

==Where to eat==
Restaurants:

In South Beach:
* Big Pink: Dinner style food... Service not so good, but food good and portions gigantic.
* Rosinella. (Italian, on Lincoln Road)
* Sushi Samba
* Le Bon: Belgian Food. During the week they have a special from 5:30 to 7:30, where you pay according to the time you get. At 5:30 you pay 5.50 bucks, at 6 pm you pay 6 bucks, etc
* La Sandwicherie: delicious sandwiches. whole in the wall. great and cheap.
* A la Folie: french, affordable.
* Indomania: dutch/indonesian.... delicious Rijstaffel

Downtown/Brickell:
* Tutto Pizza and Tutto Pasta
* Archies
* Taqueria El Mexicano: Super cheap mexican
* Tobacco Road: (restaurant and bar): great burgers and lobster special certain day of the week.
* El Carajo: restaurant/ wine shop inside a gas station. Delicious tapas, incredible wine selection and great prices and atmosphere, despite being on a gas station

Coral Gables:
* Ortanique: expensive but delicious.
* OneBurger: delicious burgers
* Moon: Thai and Japanese

Biscayne/North Beach/Aventura:
* Uva 69
* Boteco: brazilian bar/restaurant
* Shuckers: cheap bar/ restaurant with amazing bayview
* Lula's Russian Kebab: great/cheap russian places
* Michy's: Expensive but delicious

==What To Do==

There are many things to do in Miami. Attractions on South Beach are within walking/biking distance. Once you leave South Beach, attractions are spread through a vast area and a car will come in handy. If you don't have a car, public transportation is available, but it has limited reach. See Public Transportation Section.

Most people come for the beach and the nightlife.

===Beaches===
* Start [http://www.southbeach-usa.com/ here] for some research on South Beach.

Other Beaches:

* Crandon Park in Key Biscayne
* Matheson Hammock Park in Coral Gables
* Sunny Isles Beach

===Parks===

===National Parks===

* Everglades National Park
* Biscayne National Park

===Kayaking===

===Rockclimbing===

===Windsurfing===

===Snorkeling/Scuba Diving===

===Museums===

* Vizcaya
* Deering Estate
* Miami Art Museum
* Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
* World Erotic Art Museum
* Coral Castle

==Surrounding Areas==
If you have a way of getting around be sure to check out the [http://www.venetianpool.com '''Venetian Pool'''] in Coral Gables

==Festivals==

Most of the festival in South Florida are during "the season", which means during any time of the year, but summer, when people in Miami tend to hibernate. Here are some of the highlights. More info will be added. (please help with dates and links)

Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Langerado

Art Basel Miami Beach

Winter Music Conference: During Spring Break. Techno, trance and other electronic music. Parties all over town during a week, generally closing with the Ultra Music Festival [http://www.wintermusicconference.com]

Art Deco Festival.

Last weekend of May: [http://www.blackbeachweek.com/urbanbeachweek1.html Hip-Hop Festival]. Rap, hip-hop, R&B. A lot of "Scarface" devotees and tricked out cars. Safer than you'd expect at night, unless you're a woman who's not wearing much.

Miami International Film Festival [http://www.miamifilmfestival.com]

=Upcoming Meetings=
We need a few suggestions for cool locations with nearby parking so travelers coming through can easily setup a meeting without knowing the local area! Again let's have some suggestions, keep in mind parking, and the average price of drinks as many travelers are on a budget!!!

'''Next Miami Meeting!!'''
Our next meeting is of course the Potluck on April 20th
[http://www.couchsurfing.com/meetings.html?mid=8279 here] to register your attendance!

'''Venetian Pool Meetup'''
We're waiting for the weather to warm up but it's sure to be a great event!! Keep an eye out for the invitation!

'''Organise your own Miami CS meeting!''' Whether you are a traveler or local, pick a location and tell us about it in the group or via a meeting request!

==Suggested meeting locations==

* Zeke's

* Shuckers

* Monty's

* Scotty's

* Abraxas Lounge

=Weather=
Beautiful from September to April/May and hot, humid, rainy and unpredictable during summer.

=Links=
#[http://travel.roughguides.com/website/travel/destination/content/default.aspx?titleid=100&xid=idh237112472_0612 '''Rough Guides'''] travel information.
#[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/tags/miami'''Lonely Planet''' Thorn Tree] Miami posts
#'''NEW''' [http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk66/couchsurfingmiami/ '''PhotoBucket'''] upload your Miami CS Pics here. <=== '''NEW'''

=Hostels=

(Miami visitors, please help with opinions on hostels)

[http://www.jazzhostels.com/jazzsouthbeach.php Jazz on South Beach Hostel] Started operation during 2008 season, has gotten good reviews as one of the better hostels in SOBE so far: reviews: [http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/JazzonSouthBeachHostel-Miami-20260/reviews/ hostelworld] , [http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/28214-Jazz-on-South-Beach-Hostel hostelz]

[http://www.southbeachhostel.com/ South beach Hostel]

[http://www.clayhotel.com/hostel/ Clay Hotel HI Hostel] This is a hotel that also operates as an HI hostel, be sure to specify that you are interested in dorm room when you call

=Emergencies=
In case of emergency, call 911!

==Medical Issues==
If you have travel insurance remember to call your insurance provider first or you might not be able to claim back the expenses.

Major hospitals in Miami include: (please help with additional info)

JACKSON MEMORIAL

BAPTIST HOSPITAL

MERCY HOSPITAL

=Getting Around=

==Public Transportation==
"it's really not bad at all, if you know the numbers to call"

Visit http://go.miamidade.gov for information on all forms of transportation in Miami-Dade County

== Airports ==

*Miami International Airport
Flights to most US major cities, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Most likely where you will be arriving if flying from abroad.

*Fort Lauderdale International Airport

*Palm Beach International Airport

== Trains ==
There are '''Two''' Rail systems in Miami Dade Area.
The Main one is the Metro'''rail'''(Stations Listed Below.)
The Other is the Metro'''mover''', Which services the Downtown Miami Area.('''Not''' Miami Beach)

( MetroRail Stations Listed North to South ) 
'''Palmetto'''---7701 NW 79th Ave. 
'''Okeechobee'''--- 2005 Okeechobee Road 
'''Hialeah'''---125 E 21st Street 
'''Tri-Rail'''---1125 E25th Street,Hialeah. 
'''Northside'''---3150 NW 79th Street 
'''Dr.ML King Jr'''---6205 NW 27th Ave 
'''Brownsville'''---5200 NW 27th Ave 
'''Earlington Heights'''--- 2100 NW 41st Street 
'''Allapattah'''---3501 NW 12th Ave 
'''Santa Clara'''---2050 NW 12 Ave 
'''Civic Center'''---1501 NW 12th Ave 
'''Culmer'''---701 NW 11th Street 
'''Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre'''---100 NW sixth Street. 
'''Government Center'''---101 NW First Street '''<---This is the Main Station''', Here you can Purchase a 7-Day Visitor Pass for $19.00 (good for all Metro Transport) 
'''Brickell'''---1001 SW First Ave 
'''Vizcaya'''---3201 SW First Ave 
'''Coconut Grove'''---2780 SW 27th Ave 
'''Douglas Road'''---3100 Douglas Road 
'''University'''---5400 Ponce de Leon 
'''South Miami'''---5949 South Dixie Highway 
'''Dadeland North'''---8300 South Dixie Highway 
'''Dadeland South'''---9150 Dadeland Boulevard 
 
''Both'' Trains Run From 5am to 12am(Midnight)
(also see "Transit Tips" below)
--[[User:Xain|Xain]] 00:09, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

== Buses ==
The Bus system is Called the Metrobus.
The prices are listed Below.
Remember if you are visiting you can purchase a 7day Visitor pass at Government Station. 
--[[User:Xain|Xain]] 00:06, 6 March 2008 (UTC)
== Transit Tips & Useful Phone Numbers ==

305-770-3131 <---This number makes Using the Public Transit in Miami So much Easier, Just tell them Where you are, and Where you Want to go, and they will tell you What Bus/Rail to take in order to get there.

305-375-1647 <--- Call this if you would like info on the Bicycle Lockers in Miami.

[http://sfrtp.cinrtosfl.com/hiwire?.a=iTripPlanning&.s=227d14e6 A link to the Trip Planner page.]
 
[http://www.miamidade.gov/transit A link to the Miami Area Transit Website.]

--[[User:Xain|Xain]] 00:08, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

== General Transit Info ==

The '''Bus''' is '''$1.50''' for one ride, if you need to Transfer it is '''$2.00'''
The Metrorail is '''$1.50''' and the Machines to let you in Only except Coins or passes. (There are Change machines at all the stations. ''put in a dollar you get a token, put in a token you get four Quarters'')
Also you can obtain a 7-Day visitor pass that is good for the whole metro system it costs '''$19.00'''

--[[User:Xain|Xain]] 00:07, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Seattle

2012-12-03T15:52:17Z

The juanderer: initial transfer of Seattle wiki page from CS

{{United States}}
[[image:Seattle-Nighttime.jpg|left|thumb|Seattle]]

==General Information==
[http://www.seattle.gov Seattle] is the State of Washington's largest city, with an estimated population of 582,000 and a greater metro population of about 3 million. The city is located at approximately the north-south midway point on the eastern shore of Puget Sound. It is often called ''The Emerald City''

Although it has a reputation for being very wet (an image often propagated by its residents), Seattle typically has warm, dry summers and is in fact beautiful when the sun is out. May and June can be variable: warm and dry one day, cold and wet the next. The summer starts in July. Although it frequently rains on the 4th of July, it is usually warm. The warm dry weather usually lasts through the middle of October. By Halloween, it is cold and wet, and the city will stay that way until April or May, when it turns warm, although still dark and rainy. There is usually a week of glorious weather in February, although that week has been known to occur in early March. It is a false spring, as the crocuses and sun come out, and people are tempted to plant in their garden. But be warned, there are still four months of dark, wet, and cold weather ahead.

From various places within the city, one stumbles upon unexpected views of the Olympic Mountains to the west or the Cascade Range to the east, or both, as well as Mount Rainier to the south.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwniFHoRL3Y&feature=youtu.be Welcome to Seattle!! Video spoof]

==CouchSurfing Information==

Seattle is lucky to have an extremely active CS community. There are two weekly meetups, as well as a variety of events and impromptu meetups, and annual functions.

Every Thursday, there is a regular happy hour meetup at a revolving bar or establishment. They are usually very well attended, and frequently last well into the night.
In addition, there is a Sunday coffee meetup that used to be at a stationary location, but now also meets at new and revolving locations in and around the Seattle area. For information about events and activities, check the Seattle Group [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=714 Seattle Group] and the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/meetings.html Events page]. Filter to Washington State, Seattle.

==Transportation to and from Seattle==
===By Plane===
[http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ Seattle-Tacoma International Airport] (Sea-Tac) is about 15 miles from downtown Seattle and is served by about 30 airlines. The airport has a local transportation web page, [http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/Parking-and-Transportation/Ground-Transportation/Pages/default.aspx Sea-Tac Ground Transportation]. If you are staying in downtown Seattle, the local downtown Shuttle which stops at five or six different hotels usually offers the best value. It's comfortable and fast. Prices are high for all options, and change frequently, so it's best to look them up on the website, rather than cite them here, where they will quickly go out of date, and probably not get updated.

The train is a good hike from the departure area, not bad if you are backpacking, but a hassle if you have much luggage. It takes you through the industrial and low-rent areas of town, and ends in downtown Seattle. Be warned - there are frequent stops, and it is a slow way to travel, important if you are coming in late at night, or have to catch an early-morning departure.

Taxis cost about $40 + tip downtown, closer to $50 or $60 if you are going to a north Seattle residence. There may also be a surcharge. The fares are regulated, and the current regulations will be on the Taxicab section of the airport's [http://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/Parking-and-Transportation/Ground-Transportation/Pages/Taxis-and-Limos.aspx public transportation page]. There is an Airporter Shuttle to north end residences is $38 each way, and takes quite a while, because they will be picking up or dropping off four or five other people, each stop takes another fifteen or twenty minutes.

Bus service has been significantly reduced, and is mainly used now to get workers to and from their job, rather than passengers to and from their destination. Details are best viewed on-line, as service and prices are changing dramatically

There is also the Sounder train, for travel to cities beyond Seattle. Again, details are best viewed on the webpage.

===By Train===

[http://www.amtrak.com Amtrak] operates trains and buses to and from Portland, Oregon; San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Vancouver, British Columbia; Chicago, Illinois; and many cities along these lines. Amtrak operates out of King Street Station near Seattle's International District, about a mile from downtown. Be forewarned, however, that these trains frequently run behind schedule.

===By Bus===
[http://www.greyhound.com Greyhound] operates bus service to and from downtown Seattle, and these buses are often more convenient (but less comfortable) than the trains.

The [http://www.quickcoach.com Quick Shuttle] runs buses between downtown Vancouver, BC and SeaTac airport, with stops in between at the Vancouver airport, Bellingham airport, and downtown Seattle. Typical fare is slightly more than on Greyhound, but they do offer student discounts.

==Transportation Around Town==
[http://metro.kingcounty.gov/ King County Metro] provides bus service in and around the Seattle Metropolitan area. With good planning, you can ride public transit all the way to Tacoma. The regular fare is $2.25 (or $2.50 during "peak" hours). Drivers won't give change, so better to pay with exact cash. Ask the driver for a transfer ticket -- it is valid for unlimited rides in a 3 hour period. Keep your transfer if you plan to travel all the way through downtown.

There are parts of town where you might want to walk a few blocks out of your way to take a better bus. #358 to north Aurora, can have sketchy or combative riders when the off-peak fares are in effect. Peak commuter hours are very crowded. To assure a seat, go to the south end of downtown, before the bulk of riders get on. It might be better to take a bus route that runs a few blocks to the east or west, like the #5 or the #16. The ride will be much more comfortable, and north Seattle neighborhoods are fun to walk in.

If you are heading to a neighborhood in the south end of town, be sure to ask your host what the best transit option is, as some are best avoided if possible, and others can be perfectly safe and comfortable.

Before you leave home, you might want to download a [http://metro.kingcounty.gov/ system map] of Seattle's bus routes - it's easier than trying to work with their Trip Planner. You can use the website to get bus times (not all buses run every day), but they don't do a very good job of present all your options, a map is better for that.

==Neighborhoods==
According to the Seattle City Clerk's Office, Seattle is made up of about 16 distinct neighborhoods. Seattle is a new city, with distinct waves of movement in and out of the city, creating patterns of development and redevelopment. The local papers have a strong influence on public perception, and they divide the city according to what businesses advertise in their papers. Areas of the city without a lot of advertisers are generally ignored. These are usually the residential neighborhoods that many of the couch surfers will be staying at.

Neighborhoods with lots of bars and restaurants (the mainstay of Seattle papers) include Downtown, Pioneer Square, SoDo (the stadium district) Belltown, the International District (“The I-D”), Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, the University District, the Admiral District in West Seattle and Alki Beach in West Seattle. These neighborhoods tend to have apartment houses, rather than single-family detached houses, and have better transit service, and are quite interesting to walk.

Another area of Seattle that visitors might find interesting is the waterfront. Seattle has a long waterfront, with many parks, restaurants, a marina, and it's very accessible.

The north end has nice walkable neighborhoods of mostly single-family homes. These neighborhoods are well-landscaped, and it is like walking through a well-maintained park. The older neighborhoods closer in, like Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Mt Baker, Madrona (along the shores of Lake Washington), View Ridge, Roosevelt, Ballard, etc have older homes, built in the early part of the 20th century, in a style called Craftsman. There are mansions and mini-mansions, many of which fell into disrepair during the Seattle depression of the 70s. They have since become renovated, and are quite beautiful. Since they are on hills, there are dramatic views of the city. There are a number of streets that end in stairs, hidden away in these neighborhoods. There are usually neighborhood cafes and coffee shops every five or ten blocks, and the traffic is usually quiet.

The valleys were built for the lower-paid peons - Rainier Valley, Cascade neighborhood, Ballard, Interbay, and the east side of West Seattle hills. There has been a lot of renovation in these areas in the past ten years, mostly apartments and condos, with mixed effects. But most of the new businesses that are going in are corporate chains, nail salons, gyms, etc. The Cascade neighborhood, especially has changed. I call it the Cascade neighborhood, for those who looked up the city map referenced at the beginning of this article. But it is now commonly referred to as "South Lake Union". It has been purchased by Paul Allen, a local billionaire, and is the location of many new high-rise, expensive condos, and high-tech employers like Amazon, Microsoft, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, etc. The businesses cater to high-end customers. It is undergoing dramatic changes, and under heavy construction at the time this article was written (autumn, 2012). There is a street-car that runs from South Lake Union through downtown, to the waterfront. This would be an interesting ride for visitors to the city.

There are a number of quiet residential neighborhoods that were built up in the 40s, 50s and 60s, to support the technical workers at Boeing and their contractors. These are residential neighborhoods further out - Northgate, Shoreline, Renton, Tukwila, the south end of West Seattle. Generally speaking, these neighborhoods are not suitable for walking - few businesses within walking distance, the roads are arterials, with lots of loud traffic, and few businesses for the neighborhood, mediocre landscaping, architecturally tedious housing, no views, etc. This also describes Mercer Island, although it is for rich people, which means that the lots are large, with big trees and the big houses are mostly hidden away. The tract homes are boring, as is the lanscaping, but it's not unpleasant.

Even further out, Federal Way, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Lynnwood, Sammamish, you get the neighborhoods that may have been settled decades ago, but that has been torn down or completely overshadowed by development in the past twenty or thirty years, where miles of condos and apartments have gone up, with shopping malls and few if any local businesses - all corporate chain. Bus service here is difficult to get to, they assume you will drive to a park-and-ride lot, which are spaced many miles apart.

==Events & Activites==

===Map for CouchSurfers===
This [http://tinyurl.com/55xs6m Google map] was created by Seattle area CouchSurfers for travelers coming through the area.

===Music and Culture===
For non-CS events & activities, including music, theater, and cinema, I check the area's two free weeklies, [http://www.thestranger.com The Stranger] and [http://www.seattleweekly.com Seattle Weekly].

If you'd simply like to listen to some good radio, there's FM 90.3 [http://www.kexp.org KEXP] for music (especially local and/or indie), and FM 94.9 [http://www.kuow.org KUOW] (an NPR affiliate) for news and variety.

===Eating & Drinking===
There are great bars and restaurants in Seattle. Again, the Stranger and Seattle Weekly are good resources.

===Coffee and Beer===
If you are planning on coming here, you are probably already aware that Seattle is a well-known haven for coffee and beer lovers. Starbucks Store #1 is located right in one of the biggest tourist attractions, the Pike Place Market. In addition, the city boasts quite a few “micro-roasters,” such as Caffe Vita, Victrola, Vivace, Caffe D'arte, Umbria, and Stumptown (recently arrived from Portland).

As far as brewpubs go, Pike Pub & Brewery less than a block from Pike Place Market. Elysian Brewing has three locations: Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square, and Greenlake. In Ballard you can find Maritime Pacific Brewery and Hale's Ales, and in the University District is Big Time Brewery, all crafters and purveyors of delicious beers. And there are more besides!

==Emergency Information==

===Police Stations===
If you are really unlucky and manage to land yourself into trouble, a list of the local police stations can be found [http://www.seattle.gov/police/contact/location/default.htm here]. If you have an emergency that requires urgent attention, dial 911. (This should be a free call from all cellphones and public pay phones.) For other inquiries and non-emergencies, you can reach the police at their non-emergency number: 206-625-5011.

===Hospitals===

[http://www.uwmedicine.org/Facilities/Harborview/ Harborview Medical Center]
Harborview is the only Trauma I care facility in a 4 state region and is located in Downtown Seattle.

[http://www.swedish.org/body.cfm?id=1298 Swedish Medical Center]

[https://www.virginiamason.org/home/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=342&action=detail&ref=28 Virginia Mason Medical Center]

[http://www.ghc.org/locations/index.jhtml Group Health Cooperative]

[http://www.seattlechildrens.org/ Children's Hospital]

===Medical Advice Helpline===

Many local medical centers have complimentary 24-hour medical helplines. A consulting nurse will listen to your medical concerns and direct you to an appropriate facility to receive care.

Children's Hospital: 206-987-2500 or 1-866-987-2500 (7:00 AM to 11:00 PM) 
Evergreen Medical Center: 425-899-3000 
Group Health Cooperative: 206-901-2244 or 1-800-297-6877 
Harborview Medical Center: 206-731-2500 
Providence Medical Center: 1-800-793-3474 
Swedish Medical Center: 206-215-2100 
Virginia Mason: 206-583-6433 

===Crisis Helpline===

The [http://www.crisisclinic.org/about.html Crisis Clinic] opperates a 24 hour crisis line. If you are having a personal crisis, emotional distress, or need advice or direction for a critical issue, the support staff at the Crisis Clinic can help by offering a caring ear or connecting you to appropriate support services. In Seattle, call 206-461-3222 or toll-free 1-866-427-4747.

===Walk-In Health Clinics===

[http://www.psnhc.org/index.php?page=clinics Puget Sound Neighborhood Health Clinics] provides a list of local non-profit community health clinics offering affordable out-patient medical and dental services. Most clinics accept walk-in patients, but call in advance to be sure.

[http://www.psnhc.org/index.php?page=Clinic_Detail&clinicID=2 45th Street Clinic] 
1629 N 45th St 
Seattle, WA 98103 
206-633-3350 

[http://www.countrydoctor.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=34 Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center] 
2101 E Yesler Way 
Seattle, WA 98122 
206-299-1900 

[http://www.countrydoctor.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=33 Country Doctor Community Clinic] 
500 19th Ave E 
Seattle, WA 98112 
206-299-1600 

Pike Market Medical Clinic 
1930 Post Alley 
Seattle, WA 98101 
206-728-4143 

===Foreign Consulates===

You can find an expanded list of consulates and honorary consulates in the region [http://ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/Consular%20Association%20Roster.htm here].

====Canada====
[http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/seattle Consulate-General of Canada] 
1501 4th Ave, #600 
Seattle, WA 98101 
(206) 443-1372 

====Japan====
[http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/about/about.htm Consulate-General of Japan] 
601 Union St, #500 
Seattle, WA 98101 
(206) 682-9107 

====Korea====
[http://usa-seattle.mofat.go.kr/index.jsp Consulate-General of Korea] 
2033 6th Ave, #1125 
Seattle, WA 98121 
(206) 441-1011 

====Mexico====
Consulate of Mexico 
2132 3rd Ave 
Seattle, WA 98121 
(206) 448-3526 

====Russia====
Consulate-General of Russia 
2001 6th Ave, #2323 
Seattle, WA 98121 
(206) 728-1910 

===Local Hostels===
Always make sure you are aware of ways to get to your host's home, but also out of it as well, should you need to. The following hostels offer some beds for under $30/night. Be mindful that because of their limited number of beds, the hostels may not be able to accommodate you on short notice or during peak seasons:

[http://www.hostelseattle.com/hostel_seattle City Hostel Seattle] 
2317 2nd Ave 
Seattle, WA 98121 
(206) 706-3255, or toll-free (877) 846-7853 

[http://www.greentortoise.net/ The Green Tortoise Hostel] 
105 1/2 Pike St 
Seattle, WA 98101 
(206) 340-1222 

[http://www.hiusa.org/seattle HI - Seattle at the American Hotel] 
520 S King St 
Seattle WA 98104 
(206) 622-5443 

[http://www.vashonhostel.com/info.htm HI - Vashon Ranch Hostel] 
12119 SW Cove Rd 
Vashon Island, WA 98070 
(206) 463-2592 

===Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence===

[http://www.kcsarc.org/ Sexual Assault Resource Center] opperates a 24-hour crisis line, offering crisis intervention, medical support, legal advocacy, and support services for sexual assault victims. The number is 1-888-998-6423.

[http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services] runs a confidential 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline for adults & children, offering referrals for medical and legal support, counseling, and local shelter information. 1-800-562-6025.

[http://www.sarmydvp.org/catherine-booth-house.html Catherine Booth House], run by the Salvation Army, is a confidential emergency shelter for women and children escaping domestic abuse. The shelter takes in survivors 24 hours/day. More information about the shelter (including its private unlisted address) can be found by calling 206-324-4943.

===Fraud Prevention===

[http://www.metrokc.gov/proatty/ The King County Prosecutor’s Office] has a website with information on protecting yourself from fraud and identity theft. If you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft, connect with one of the services listed [http://www.metrokc.gov/proatty/fraud/identity.htm here].

===Immigration Advisory Service===

===Legal Advice===

[http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/freehelp.cfm?id=WA The American Bar Association] provides a list of resources for legal help in the area, including free (pro-bono) and reduced-rate legal support for low-income clients.

===Emergency Couch===

There is a [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=19249 dedicated group] for fielding last-minute or emergency couch requests in Seattle. While you are not guaranteed a couch, members of that group are often on-call and sympathetic to last-minute requests.

===Your Local CS Ambassadors===
If you find yourself in a bad or unsafe situation, for example if you have a conflict with your host or guest, you can contact one of the local [http://www.couchsurfing.com/ambassador.html Couchsurfing Ambassadors] in the area and they will do their best to help you resolve your issue.

In Seattle:
:[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/barbara9999/ Barbara Elegbede]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/profile.html?id=2CNHGOU J.J. Stein]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/Klaire Klaire Rueckert]
:[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/sugarvapors/ Rebecca Swaney]

In Everett:
:[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/northernflights Miles Erickson]

== Local links ==
[[:csgroup:714|Couchsurfing group]] - [[:wikipedia:Seattle, Washington|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:Seattle|Wikitravel]]

Washington D.C.

2012-12-03T15:49:26Z

The juanderer: initial transfer of DC page from CS

{{United States}}
[[image:dc-flag.jpg|thumb|left|DC flag]]

The capitol of the United States, Washington D.C. (District of Columbia) boasts a veritable cornucopia of sites to see, events to attend, and people to meet. The diaspora spans practically every nationality and ethnicity: said diversity evident in the food, sight-seeing destinations, and events available in the D.C. Metropolitan region.

==Things To Do==

There is a lot to do here. DC is a political powerhouse, with a lot of government history. There is also a vibrant cultural life, including nightlife.

===Government Buildings and Museums===

====Capitol Hill====

*'''The Capitol'''- The public may tour the Capitol, see a House or Senate Session, observe a Committee hearing. For American citizens, guided tours of the Capitol may be reserved through representatives of Congress, and are conducted by congressional aids. [http://www.house.gov/house/tour_services.shtml Ticket information]
*[http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ Supreme Court]
*[http://www.loc.gov/about/ Library of Congress]
*[http://www.usbg.gov National Botanical Gardens]

====National Mall====
The National Mall is an open-area national park in downtown Washington, D.C. Officially termed by the National Park Service the National Mall & Memorial Parks, the term commonly includes the areas that are officially part of West Potomac Park and Constitution Gardens to the west, and often is taken to refer to the entire area between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol, with the Washington Monument providing a division slightly west of the center.

====[http://www.si.edu Smithsonian Museums]====
*''Postal Museum'''- Located across First Street from Union Station, the Postal Museum is one of the most overlooked museums of the Smithsonian. It's more than mere stamp collections; it's an unique lens through which to view American history and technological innovation.
*'''National Museum of the American Indian'''- The building is among the newest additions to the National Mall. Its architecture is unlike any other structure in the District, comprised of organic curves and naturally rough surfaces, rather than the smooth columns of Roman style architecture or more modern angular constructions seen throughout downtown D.C.
*[http://www.nga.gov/ National Gallery of Art]- The East Wing contains modern art, including works by Andy Warhol.
*Air and Space
*Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
*Arts and Industries
*African Art
*Freer and Sakler Galleries
*The Castle
*Natural History
*American History- (Closed for renovation until Summer 2008)

*National Archives
*Navy Memorial
*Holocaust Museum
*Bureau of Engraving and Printing

====Potomac River Basin====
*Washington Monument
*Jefferson Memorial
*Lincoln Memorial
*WWII Memorial
*Roosevelt Memorial
*Vietnam Memorial

====Arlington National Cemetery====
*JFK: The Eternal Flame
*Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: The Changing of the Guard

*Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
**Millennium Stage
*Watergate Complex
*National Zoo
**Pandas

*Embassy Row
*National Cathedral
*Eastern Market
*International Spy Museum
*Rock Creek Park
*Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
*National Arboretum
*Frederick Douglass House (Anacostia)

===Culture===

*Dupont Circle
**The intersection of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts Avenues and P and 19th Streets, Dupont Circle is a hub of activity. Restaurants, bars, cafes, bookshops, fashion boutiques, galleries and other places of interest about.
***[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/the-big-hunt,792554/critic-review.html The Big Hunt]
***[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/kramerbooks-and-afterwords-cafe,797156/critic-review.html Kramerbooks and Afterwords]
***[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/teaism,796128/critic-review.html Teaism]
***[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/soho-tea-and-coffee,1089277.html Soho Tea and Coffee]
***[http://www.yelp.com/biz/eighteenth-street-lounge-washington-2 Eighteenth Street Lounge] - Different live music every night, multi-level lounge with love seats and sofas, no casual dress allowed but still a chill place

*U Street
**[http://www.benschilibowl.com/ Ben's Chili Bowl]
***Since 1957, there has been no better place to find for chili burgers and half-smokes than at Ben's Chili Bowl. Bill Cosby said that it's his favorite D.C. eatery.
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/fast-gourmet,1205701/critic-review.html Fast Gourmet] - This gas station eatery serves up tasty authentic food on U Street
**[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/washington-dc/restaurants/italian/coppi-s-organic Coppi's Organic Italian]
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/dukem-ethiopian-market,804168/critic-review.html Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant] - The default recommendation for an Ethiopian restaurant in DC
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-venues/bohemian-caverns,1026262/critic-review.html Bohemian Caverns] - A staple of jazz and poetry on U Street
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-venues/9-30-club,796196/critic-review.html 9:30 Club] - Where all the medium-sized acts come to play
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-venues/dc9,1092865/critic-review.html DC9] - Dance parties, bands and a patio with a view of the city
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/profile/u-street-music-hall,1161767/critic-review.html U Street Music Hall / U Hall] - Techno, House, Dubstep, Moombahton, and even Indie Rock and Punk
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/nellies-sports-bar,1142081/critic-review.html Nellie's Sports Bar] - Relaxed gay sports bar, a CouchSurfing Happy Hour favorite
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/sollys-u-street-tavern,1077625/critic-review.html Solly's U Street Tavern] - Catch a rugby or soccer game downstairs and live music upstairs
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/bistro-la-bonne,1133851/critic-review.html Bistro La Bonne] - Authentic french comfort food

*Columbia Heights
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/the-red-derby,1144157/critic-review.html#reviewNum1 Red Derby] - The hipster mecca of DC; Super casual bar with roof patio
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/pho-viet,1178310/critic-review.html Pho Viet] - Delicious vietnamese food
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/taqueria-distrito-federal,1123007/critic-review.html#reviewNum1 Taqueria Distrito Federal] - Taco shop
**[http://thehaysay.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/glorias-pupuseria-a-restaurant-review/ Gloria's Pupuseria] - Great example of a laid-back latin pupuseria
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/sticky-fingers-sweets-and-eats,1095633/critic-review.html Sticky Fingers Bakery] - Vegan bakery
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/meridian-pint,1167466/critic-review.html Meridian Pint] - A polished drinking establishment
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/profile/room-11,1157976/critic-review.html Room 11] - Intimate local bar
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-locations/bloombars,1152436/critic-review.html BloomBars] - Art, Poetry
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/the-wonderland-ballroom,1097887/critic-review.html Wonderland Ballroom] - A local's bar with dancing and DJs upstairs

*Chinatown

*Adams Morgan
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/tryst-coffeehouse-and-bar,798942/critic-review.html Tryst Coffeehouse and Bar]
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/madams-organ,797076/critic-review.html Madam's Organ] - Great live music every night
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/pharmacy-bar,799059/critic-review.html Pharmacy Bar] - A relaxed locals bar
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/mig-bar,1025598/critic-review.html MiG Bar] - A tiny unique local's bar
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/amsterdam-falafelshop,1107930/critic-review.html Amsterdam Falafelshop] - Best falafel in DC
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/black-squirrel,1109541/critic-review.html Black Squirrel]
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/dahlak,1149879.html Dahlak]
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/misc-locations/smash-records,792056.html Smash Records] - Peruse punk rock items and pick up flyers for local punk shows
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/sports-rec-locations/stroga,1168375.html Stroga] - Yoga and exercise classes
**[http://www.yelp.com/biz/angles-bar-and-billiards-washington-2 Angles Bar] - Romantic little place, with unofficial Blues Dancing on Wednesday nights

*Mount Pleasant
**[http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/restaurantfinder/restaurants/1745/haydee-s-restaurant Haydees] - A latin restaurant with live bands and DJs
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/the-raven-grill,800518/critic-review.html Raven Grill] - Casual bar and grill
**[http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2011/04/21/brewing-up-flying-fish-coffee-coming-soon-to-mt-pleasant/ Flying Fish Coffee and Tea]

*Georgetown
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/baked-and-wired,1028539/critic-review.html Baked & Wired]

*Capitol Hill

*Atlas District
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/sova-espresso-and-wine,1150953/critic-review.html Sova Espresso & Wine] - Comfy espresso, wine, beer cafe with live music
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-venues/the-rock-and-roll-hotel,1126743/critic-review.html Rock and Roll Hotel] - Dance parties and live shows
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/music-venues/the-red-palace,1124756/critic-review.html Red Palace] - Live music and burlesque in a former sideshow museum
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/toki-underground,1207269/critic-review.html Toki Underground] - Delicious korean ramen throwback with edgy style
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/the-pug,1135440/critic-review.html The Pug] - A traditional pub
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/sidamo-coffee-and-tea,1133158/critic-review.html Sidamo Coffee & Tea] - Ethiopian coffee house
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/dangerously-delicious-pies,1165517/critic-review.html Dangerously Delicious Pies]
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/biergarten-haus,1165444/critic-review.html Biergarten Haus] - German biergarten with only german beer and food, outdoor and indoor seating
**[http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bars-clubs/little-miss-whiskeys-golden-dollar,1157977/critic-review.html Little Miss Whiskey's] - A great alternative bar with dancing and DJs upstairs

===Tips for using public transportation===

====Metro - MetroBus & MetroRail====
The '''Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority''' ([http://www.wmata.com/ http://www.wmata.com/]) known locally as '''"Metro"'''
is a system of inter-connected above ground and underground (subway) heavy gauge rail trains (MetroRail), and above ground buses (MetroBus). Note that many people also use the term "Metro" to mean the MetroRail. The Metro system also interfaces with numerous local and regional bus systems as well as other railroads (Amtrak,VRE, MARC) and the three airports in the Washington, D.C. region. '''Metro is a great way to get around the city of Washington, DC, especially in the downtown area for much less money than a taxis.
'''
=====Fares:=====
Temporary (paper) fare cards, as well as daily and weekly fare passes may be purchased at MetroRail stations and select commuter services retail outlets for use on the MetroRail (subways). '''If you are going to be in the Washington, D.C. region for more than a couple days you might consider purchasing a Metro SmartTrip card''' for $5.00 which is a permanent plastic card that can be used on MetroRail, MetroBus, and many connecting local bus services (see below) '''AT A DISCOUNT''' over regular farecards and using cash. These cards are permanent, assigned to you, may be "recharged" or fare value added with cash or credit card, and '''are refundable if lost or stolen''' (provided you have registered your card online). SmartTrip cards may be purchased at MetroRail stations, consumer commuter outlets, and at many CVS Pharmacies and other retail outlets in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. ([http://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/ http://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/]). Although MetroRail required the purchase of either a temporary paper fare card, daily or weekly pass, or SmartTrip card, MetroBuses will accept cash ($2 or $1.70 exact change as of current writing, for non-senior-citizens and non-students on a non-express line). MetroBuses do not accept paper fare cards. See here for more information on passes: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm

=====MetroRail Courtesy:=====
An important thing to remember when using Metro is to stand on the right when using escalators (if they are running). It is often "rush-hour" on the Metro, and the left side of escalators is for riders who are on the move. If you are carrying large pieces of luggage, pushing a baby carriage, or bringing a bicycle on Metro, use the elevators. These items are not welcome on escalators. Standing on the left is a sure sign that you are a tourist, and will not only be a hazard but also greatly annoy fellow Metro riders.

=====Bicycles on Metro:=====
There is bicycle parking at most MetroRail stations. Bicycles are welcome on the MetroRail any time except weekdays from 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. There is a 2-bike rack on the front of all MetroBuses which you can use any time. Please consult the Metro (WMATA) website for information see: [http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/ Getting Around Bike to Bus & Rail]

====Other Local and Regional Buses====
There are several publicly owned and run bus systems interconnected with the Metro System (MetroRail and MetroBus) that provide complimentary transportation service within the City of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding cities and suburbs. These include (but not limited to):
<ul>
<li>Washington, DC Dept of Transportation: Circulator Bus ([http://www.dccirculator.com/ http://www.dccirculator.com/])</li>
<li>Montgomery County, Maryland: Ride-On ([http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dot/transit/index.asp Montgomery County Transit])</li>
<li>Alexandria, Virginia: Dash ([http://www.dashbus.com/ http://www.dashbus.com/])</li>
<li>Fairfax County, Virginia: Connector ([http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/ http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/])</li>
<li>Arlington County, Virginia: ART ([http://www.arlingtontransit.com/ http://www.arlingtontransit.com/])</li>
</ul>

'''Most (if not all) of these bus systems are integrated into Metro's Trip Planner tool ([http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/tripplanner_form_solo.cfm http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/tripplanner/tripplanner_form_solo.cfm]) where you can put an Origin and Destination to see transit options. And all accept the Metro SmartTrip card for fares (at a discount).'''

====Other Rail Services====
There are three rail services which also inter-connect with the Metro system to provide rail service to outlying communities and suburbs; as well as to the U.S. national rail system and more distant cities. Amtrak and MARC provide connections to Baltimore, Maryland as well as Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
<ul>
<li>Amtrak - the U.S. National Railway company ([http://www.amtrak.com http://www.amtrak.com])</li>
<li>VRE - Virginia Railway Express ([http://www.vre.org/ http://www.vre.org/])</li>
<li>MARC - Maryland Area Regional Commuter ([http://mta.maryland.gov/services/marc/ http://mta.maryland.gov/services/marc/]) </li>
</ul>

All three rail services connect at Union Station, near Capitol Hill in Washington, DC as well as at various other Amtrack and MetroRail stations. '''Currently, VRE and MARC are "commuter" rail services which do not run late at night or on the weekends.'''

====Taxi Cabs====
As of June 1, 2008, Washington DC taxis are required to use time and distance based metered rates and are no longer on zone based rates. For more information, please go to http://dctaxi.dc.gov.

* Tolls & airport charges may not be included.
* $1.00 Gasoline Surcharge
* $1.50 each additional passenger
* $19.00 Maximum fare for trips within District of Columbia
(extra charges include: multiple passengers, rush-hour, gas price increases, and multiple stops), passengers' and drivers' rights, and identification for the driver are required to be displayed prominently in all taxicabs.

Many D.C. taxi drivers are not from America, some having arrived very recently and others having lived in the U.S. for decades. They often talk on the phone while driving, and you may hear dialects from Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, or any number of other countries. D.C. taxi drivers frequently are politically savvy, and rides often consist of conversations regarding politics and world events.

===Seasonal Events===
*Cherry Blossom Festival
*Smithsonian Folklife Festival
*Capitol Fringe Festival

===Wireless Internet / Hotspots===
These are all free. Why pay?

*Crumbs & Coffee (1737 Columbia Rd NW)
*Tryst Coffeehouse (2459 18th Street, NW, no internet sat/sun)
*Java House (1645 Q St. NW)
*Columbia Heights Coffee (11th between Park and Monroe)
* Busboys & Poets [Various locations http://www.busboysandpoets.com/]
*Caribou Coffee (several locations, www.cariboucoffee.com)
*Java Shack (2507 N. Franklin St., in Arlington, Virginia, accessible via the Orange Line)
*St. Elmo's (Alexandria, Virginia, http://www.stelmoscoffeepub.com/)
*McDonald's
*Dunkin' Donuts

Also visit the following for more information:
*http://www.wififreespot.com/dc.html
*http://dcatlas.dcgis.dc.gov/agencyapps/wifi.aspx
*http://indiecoffeeshops.com

==Local links==
[[:csgroup:305|Couchsurfing group]] - [[:wikipedia:Washington, D.C.|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:Washington (D.C.)|Wikitravel]]

San Francisco

2012-12-03T15:47:11Z

The juanderer: initial transfer of SF wiki page from CS

{{United States}}
'''San Francisco''', California is a small city, for the [[United States]], but there's a large and active CouchSurfing community
==Getting Oriented==
# Understand the neighborhoods with this excellent [http://www.dreamworld.org/sfguide/Neighborhoods/index.html locals guide] - or even use the [http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mmaps/official.htm MUNI maps]!
# Take a trip up to Twin Peaks to really get a good perspective of the city.
# Buena Vista Park on Haight and Strawberry Hill, just up Clayton, gives you some amazing easy to walk to views.
# Treasure Island and right across the Golden Gate Bridge are the spots to get a nice view of the skyline!

==Meetings==


==Tips==


*SF is full of great couchsurfers! This is the best town to CS in.
*If you are on a budget and wanna drink. Check out Trax Bar at Haight and Ashbury on Saturday Night...Queer/ Mixed Bar with $1 dollar mixed Drinks from 9-10pm $2 dollar from 10-11 and so on.... And at 10 o clock People's cafe 2 doors down Puts out a bag of bagel and sweets on the street for the taking... Enjoy!
* [http://www.yelp.com/ Yelp] is the quickest way to find reviews and restaurants all over the city, and all over USA for that matter. Check out the Events and Talk sections for local events / parties that people are stirring up.
* For cheap thrills, the parks are spectacular. A walk from one end of the Golden Gate Park to the Ocean is a must. Take a bottle of wine and a friend to Buena Vista Park, the Presidio, Mission Dolores, or Twin Peaks at night. It is a great city to walk around. You can actually run from one the bay to the ocean in about an hour.

==Guides==
* [http://www.dreamworld.org/sfguide/index.html Guide to Visiting or Moving to San Francisco]
* [http://sanfrancisco.heyletsgo.com/ HeyLetsGo San Francisco] - to meet people and find things to do.
* [http://www.panoramicearth.com/1674/San_Francisco/San_Francisco San Francisco Virtual Tour] - 360 panoramas of sights and attractions linked to map with local information.

==Trivia==

*Which neighborhood of San Francisco lies on top of a landfill? 
*What is the common marathon has thousands of runners competing in their birthday suits? 

==Getting Around==
The bus/streetcar line is the MUNI (SF Municipal Railway). It is $1.50 (as of January 2007). It goes all over the city, but it closes at 12, except for a few select routes (known as Owl). When you get on the bus and pay your fare, make sure to grab your transfer ticket from the driver! They're good for two hours on buses and streetcars (lines F, J, K, L, M, N, T - not to be confused with cable cars!).

The subway connecting SF to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), [[Berkeley]], Oakland, and greater East Bay is BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) [http://www.bart.gov]. Costs $3-4 from SF to the East Bay one-way, and ~$9 to the airport. For Oakland Airport, catch a shuttle bus from the Oakland Coliseum station for an additional $2.00.

If you plan on staying in SF for a full month, you might want to look into getting a monthly pass. It is $45 and includes all SF MUNI lines and BART rides within SF (between Balboa Park Stn. and Embarcadero Stn.)

San Francisco is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, with bike lanes on many major streets. The hills can be challenging, but it's often possible to circumvent them: free bike maps and walking guides are available. [http://www.sfbike.org/?maps]

==Useful phone numbers==
311 San Francisco City help desk. They can tell you when the next bus is coming or how to get somewhere.
511 Bay Area Traffic and Transportation information, it is an automated system but during the weekday you can also speak to a real person.
415.455.2000 Golden Gate Transit (real person) They run ground transportation.
415.773.1188 Blue and Gold Fleet (automated system) Cheap ferries across the Bay to Sausalito, Tiburon, Oakland and a few other places.

'''If you're stuck:''' Green Tortise Hostel is very friendly 1.800.867.8647

== Local links ==
[[:csgroup:744|Couchsurfing group]] - [[:wikitravel:San Francisco|Wikitravel]] - [[:hitch:San Francisco|Hitchwiki]] - [[:wikipedia:San Francisco|Wikipedia]]

Chicago

2012-12-03T15:46:19Z

The juanderer: original transfer of Chicago wiki page from CS

{{United States}}
[[image:Chicago river.jpg|left|thumb|Sears Tower over Chicago River]]
'''Chicago''' is the largest city in Illinois, but it is not the capital. It is the third largest city in the [[United States]] and is often calld ''The Windy City''

Chicago has a population of approximately 3 million people, most of those people being located in neigborhoods which radiate from an area in the city center called The Loop, so called because the elevated trains (the "El") create a loop where people can transfer to various other lines with ease.

Chicago is also located on Lake Michigan, which generally lies to the east of the city. The lake has a long stretch of beautiful lakefront beaches and parks which are easily traversed by foot or by bicycle. There are bicycle rental places near Millenium Park (just east of any color EL line stop in the LOOP). Bicycle and lakefront are of course best done in good weather, but most are still accessible all year long. Watch out for the lake effect wind, she is a cruel mistress.

===Getting Around===

Public transportation is run by the Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA. It includes bus and train services and further information can be found on their website:
http://www.transitchicago.com/
The Chicago city trains, affectionately known as the "EL" for elevated include several lines, designated by color: Red, Blue, Brown, Purple, Yellow, Green, Orange, and Pink. The Red and Blue lines run 24 hours, and some lines run as late as 1:30am. Visitor passes are available in various incriments, 1 - 5 - 7 - 30 days, and are available at the O'Hare blue line access point, in the Loop, currency exchanges, and at various CVS, Jewel, Walgreens stores.

===Neighborhoods of note===

Aside from Michigan Avenue (aka the "Magnificent Mile"), which holds several major attractions that anyone should see on their first time to Chicago - such as Millenium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago is also famous for its many smaller neighborhoods that offer local flavor and uniqueness worth exploring.

Neighborhoods off the beaten path that should be visited by every traveller are Wicker Park (Blue Line DAMEN stop), Andersonville (Red Line BERWYN or BRYN MAWR stop), Lakeview (Red Line BELMONT stop), Lincoln Square (Brown Line WESTERN stop), Hyde Park (Red Line JACKSON, then #6 Bus to Museum of Science and Industry), Evanston Suburb (any Purple Line stop, DAVIS is farily central), Printers Row (Red Line HARRISON).

===Tips===

The cheapest beer in town is PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon, can be orded by saying "PBR"), or Old Style. Both can run from $2 - $4. While not brewed in Chicago, Old Style is often considered Chicago's Beer because it is popular at baseball and football games. Other local beers include Goose Island ("312" is most often on tap), Berghoff, and suburban gems: Three Floyd's and Two Brother's Brewing Companies.

Speaking of baseball games, day of game tickets can generally be found at the game for real cheap. $10 sometimes. Chicago has two baseball teams the Cubs (Red Line ADDISON) and the Sox (Red Line SOX/35th). Expect to pay more at for Cubs tickets than for Sox tickets.

Theatre is also something that is always happening in Chicago. There are upwards of 300 different theatre companies, so depending on what you want, you can probably find a play about it. Aside from Chicago's Loop Theatre District, there are a multitude of "Off-Loop" companies for your consideration. Best to consult the Chicago Reader http://www.chicagoreader.com for more information on locations, times, and prices. Larger theatres include: Chicago Shakespeare (on Navy Pier), Steppenwolf (Red Line NORTH/CLYBOURN), Northlight (in the suburb of Skokie), Next Theatre (in Evanston, Purple Line NOYES), Court Theatre (Red Line GARFIELD then #55 Bus east), Lookingglass (Red Line CHICAGO), and The Goodman (Red Line LAKE). But definitely consider checking out a storefront production, often times better value (and better quality). The Theatre Building Chicago is a good bet (Red Line BELMONT, then walk west to Racine.)

Chicago is well-known for its contribution to Improv Comedy. Check out Second City (North and Wells in Old Town), Improv Olympic (Clark and Addison in Wrigleyville) and Comedy Sportz (Belmont and Wilson in Boystown). There are also various weekly comedy shows. Please check www.metromix.com/chicago for the calendar.

===LGBTQ Tips===

Chicago generally is a very safe place for LGBTQ people, having hosted the Gay Games in '06, and a very gay friendly Mayor Richard M. Daley. That being said, the city is made up of people and outside of the gay neighborhoods - even inside the gay neighborhoods - hate crimes have occurred. Like any big city it is friendly, but an ounce of caution is always a good idea.

The neighborhood hangouts for the queers are generally Boystown - guess what, its mostly boys! - (Red Line BELMONT) between Belmont and Addison on Halsted (close to Wrigley Field). It is the neighborhood that hosts Chicago's Gay Pride and also, a smaller happy gay party in August called North Halsted Market Days. Another spot to venture to is Andersonville (aka Girlstown, guess why!), which is at Foster and Clark streets (a little walk west of the BERWYN Red Line stop).

More off the beaten path though, are some very queer/artsy bars in Wicker Park during the week. For example, Chances Dances [http://www.chancesdances.org] is every third monday of the month at Subterranean (2011 W. North Ave.; Blue Line DAMEN). A beautiful dance party with beautiful happy queer hipsters. Rodan, just down the street at Milwaukee, while not being outright Gay, has a $3 Lychee Royale (think Lychee mimosa) special on Mondays that is pretty darn good and pretty darn gay friendly if you ask me. Also, in Boystown at LBC (Lakeview Broadcasting Company, located at Addison and Halsted) Thursday nights are girls night with fun DJs and very fun girls.

Chicago also hosts, every Memorial Day weekend, the IML meeting (International Mr. Leather). It's international, it's leather, it's something to see.

== Local links ==
[[:csgroup:709|Couchsurfing group]] - [[:wikipedia:Chicago|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:Chicago|Wikitravel]]

Los Angeles

2012-12-03T15:44:59Z

The juanderer: original transfer of LA wiki from CS

{{United States}}
[[Los Angeles]], California is the second largest city in the [[United States]].

==Getting Here==

Many airline companies fly into [http://www.lawa.org/lax/welcomeLAX.cfm Los Angeles International Airport] (LAX). Once you've collected your baggage, walk outside to the curb and select one of the many forms of transportation available at the airport (taxis, shared vans, car-rental shuttles, etc.). A taxi to Downtown L.A. can cost $45 and take 30 minutes in good traffic, but can be far slower (and more expensive) in heavy traffic. The [http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292 FlyAway] bus is a good alternative way to get Downtown. For $7.00 (cash only and paid at the Kiosk at Union Station), it can make the trip to Union train staion in less than 45 minutes. The FlyAway bus runs 24 hours a day (every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.; every hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.). Just look for the green signs indicating "FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans" and wait for the bus going to Union Station (the FlyAway to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Nuys,_Los_Angeles,_California Van Nuys] will take you to the San Fernando Valley). The FlyAway also has a Westwood route which services the areas of Westwood (UCLA), Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles. These buses feature cushioned seats, luggage bays, and wheelchair lifts.

==Travel Guide==
* [http://www.places-data.com/laattract/ '''Los Angeles - Travel Guide''']

==Orientation==

===Finding A Couch===

Los Angeles is fairly large and quite spread out, with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_districts_and_neighborhoods_of_Los_Angeles numerous districts and neighborhoods], causing confusion and frustration to the first-time visitor. When looking for a host to surf with, you may want to clarify exactly where he/she is located and how easily you can access public transportation during daytime work hours. There are many hosts throughout Los Angeles and '''you should contact several people directly two weeks before your intended arrival'''. Mass emailing is not appreciated and may not receive any replies. Try to personalize your request and take some time to read up on your host. If you still cannot find a host, contact the city ambassador or '''post an emergency couch request''' on the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=11809 Los Angeles Couchsearch board].
As a general rule for Couchsurfers, no matter which country you are in, it is highly recommended that you have a hostel/hotel in mind as a backup plan in case your host cannot accommodate you or a problem arises. Use common sense and be prepared as you would be if on your own.

===Getting Around===

Public transportation in Los Angeles is a bit hard to figure out since each district has its own bus system. [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/default.htm Metro] is the main system for downtown Los Angeles but reaches out into the surrounding neighborhoods. On the Metro website, you can [http://www.metro.net/default.asp search for bus routes] by entering your current location (i.e main intersection) and your destination. Bus drivers do not carry change, so you should have the [http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm exact cash fare] when you board. A '''Day Pass''' costs $6. If you do not want to use public transportation, '''car rentals''' are recommended since '''taxis''' can be fairly expensive, especially during rush hour or high traffic.

===Tips===

If you plan on staying in L.A. for at least a month, consider buying a SIM card or a pay-as-you-go phone. You can purchase one at Target for as cheap as $20 USD which includes a SIM card, a charger and the phone.

==Events==

===Couchsurfing===

Check the [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=565 Los Angeles County Group] on CS to keep up to date with L.A. CouchSurfer activities. It is a good idea to contact one or two active members personally to know if there is anything going on. At the end of the summer, the L.A. CouchSurfing community has a big bonfire and party.

===Monthly Events===
*[http://www.downtownartwalk.com/ ArtWalk] - second Thursday each month

===Festivals and Holidays===

April - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year Thai New Year]

May - Cinco de Mayo

June - [http://www.lapride.org/ LA Pride]

July - Independence Day

===Listings===
*[http://www.laweekly.com LA Weekly] - a free newspaper featuring a large listing of cultural events and leisure activities in Los Angeles.
*[http://www.yelp.com/events/la Yelp LA]
*[http://gridskipper.com/travel/los-angeles/ Gridskipper LA]

==Things to do ==

===L.A. In 24 Hours===
When CouchSurfers have only one or two days to spend touring Los Angeles, it's usually recommended to them that they select from the landmarks on this list:

*Olvera Street (El Pueblo)
*Venice Beach Boardwalk
*Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade
*LACMA - LA County Museum of Art, and the La Brea Tar Pits
*Melrose Blvd. for shopping and people watching (daytime).
*The Getty Center
*Universal Studios
*Griffith Observatory
*Corner of Hollywood and Highland, and the Chinese Theater

===Sightseeing===
L.A. has some interesting places to hang out and get to know other people:

*[http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ The Farmers Market at Fairfax and 3rd]
*[http://www.thirdstreetpromenade.com/ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica]
*[http://rodeodrive-bh.com Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills] - famous upscale shopping district
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Town,_Los_Angeles,_California Thai Town]
*[http://www.hollywoodforever.com/Hollywood/ Hollywood Forever] - cemetery of celebrities, including [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Blanc Mel Blanc] who provided the voice for Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers Watts Towers]

===Hiking===

There are lots of hiking trails around Los Angeles. North of Santa Monica near the Pacific Coastal Highway, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topanga_State_Park Topanga State Park] (parking $6) has an easy 3.5 mile loop with an outlook at Eagle Rock.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Rogers_State_Historic_Park Will Rogers State Park] and [http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/TemescalCanyon_4472.asp Temescal Canyon] are also located nearby. For the best view of the city, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runyon_Canyon_Park Runyon Canyon] is an off-leash dog park that is popular amongst screenwriters and actors. It is only a 45-minute hike and the entrance is located two blocks west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman's_Chinese_Theatre Chinese Theatre] in Hollywood. Another place of interest is [http://www.catalina.com Catalina Island], which is great for camping or you can visit it for a full-day trip.

===Museums===

There are many interesting museums located around Los Angeles. The [http://www.lacma.org Los Angeles County Museum of Art] is quite popular and is open every day except Wednesday. Conveniently located next to LACMA are the [http://www.tarpits.org/ La Brea Tar Pits]. [http://www.getty.edu/ The Getty Center] is another popular art museum located near Westwood off the 405 freeway. The Center is open every day except Monday and admission is free. [http://www.getty.edu/visit/hours/index.html The Getty Villa] in Malibu, however, requires reservation but is also free to the public. Parking at both facilities costs $15.

===Theme Parks===

Six Flags California/Magic Mountain, Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm are popular theme parks for tourists.

===Volunteering===

*[http://www.lafoodnotbombs.org/ Food Not Bombs] - Serving healthy, vegan meals to the homeless every Thursday and Sunday at Pershing Square
*[http://www.foodonfoot.org/ Food On Foot] - Feeding the homeless around Hollywood every Sunday
*[http://treepeople.org/ Tree People]
*[http://www.habitatwork.org/ Habitat Work] - Weekend backpacking trips mainly involving the removal of invasive plants on the Wind Wolves Preserve in Los Padres National Forest.

==Places to Eat==

===Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants===

Here are some of the Los Angeles Couch Surfers' favorite vegetarian/vegan restaurants...

'''San Fernando Valley:'''

*[http://www.followyourheart.com/cafe.php Follow Your Heart] (vegetarian and vegan) - 21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA

*[http://www.leonorsvegetarian.com/ Leonor's Restaurant] (vegetarian) - 11403 Victory Boulevard, North Hollywood CA

*[http://madeleinebistro.com/ Madeleine Bistro] (organic vegan) - 18621 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, CA

*[http://www.vegetabledelight.com/ Vegetable Delight] (vegetarian "mock meat" Chinese) - 17823 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344

'''Westside:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

'''West Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.realfooddaily.com/ Real Food Daily] (organic vegan) - 414 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - 8000 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.crusilverlake.com/ Cru] (vegan and raw food) - 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.pureluckrestaurant.com/ Pure Luck] (vegetarian) - 707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

*[http://www.manisbakery.com/ Mani's Bakery] (vegetarian and vegan options) - 519 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

'''El Segundo:'''

*[http://www.veggiegrill.com/ Veggie Grill] (vegan) - Plaza El Segundo 720 Allied Way, El Segundo, CA 90245

'''Redondo Beach:'''

*[http://happyveggie.com/ Happy Veggie] (Asian vegetarian) - 709 N. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA 90277

===Late Night Eats: Open All Night or 24 hours===

'''Hollywood:'''

*[http://www.kitchen24.info/ Kitchen 24] (diner, open late) - 1608 N. Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

*[http://www.fred62.com/ Fred 62] (diner, always open) - 1850 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

'''Silverlake:'''

*[http://www.astrofamilyrestaurant.com/ Astro Family Restaurant] (diner, open late), 2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles, CA

'''Los Angeles:'''

*[http://www.cantersdeli.com/ Canter's Delicatessen] (deli, always open) - 419 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90036

'''Downtown:'''

*[http://www.pantrycafe.com/ The Pantry Cafe] (diner, always open) - 877 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

'''Manhattan Beach:'''

*[http://thekettle.net/ The Kettle] (diner, always open) - 1138 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

===Resturant Reviews===
*[http://www.yelp.com Yelp]

==Getting Away==

===Transportation===

Flights to '''San Francisco''' or '''San Diego''' can easily be purchased online from [http://www.southwest.com/ SouthWest Airlines] or use [http://www.bookingbuddy.com/ BookingBuddy] to compare prices. Trains and connecting buses on [http://www.amtrak.com/ Amtrak] or Bus lines such as [http://www.greyhound.com/home/ Greyhound] are also options. You can also check the [http://losangeles.craigslist.org/rid/ Craigslist Rideshare page] or post a request on the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=9077 CS California Ride Share Group].

===Destinations Near Los Angeles===

Los Angeles is a great launch pad for your next destination. There are lots of places to visit within a 200-mile radius in every direction. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs%2C_California Palm Springs], Coachella Valley and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Tree_National_Park Joshua Tree National Park] are '''east''' of Los Angeles and can be reached via Highway 10. Towards the '''northwes'''t, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Barbara%2C_California Santa Barbara] and Solvang can be reached via '''Pacific Coastal Highway 1'''. Also known as Highway 1, it is a famous scenic seaside route that extends into and through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Sur The Big Sur]. In the '''southeast''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temecula Temecula] is a great place to go wine tasting. From there, you can visit the Salton Sea and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anza-Borrego_Desert_State_Park Anza-Borrego Desert State Park], close to San Diego. To reach San Diego directly from Los Angeles, you can drive '''south''' for two hours via Highway 5. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana Tijuana], a small city on the border of '''Mexico''', is also popular with tourists.

== Emergency Services ==

{|
| Info-Line(Information & Assistance) 24-hours/day - 7 days/week
| 1 800 339 6993
|-
| Fire/Police/Ambulance (Emergency)
| 911
|-
| Rape Treatment Center – Santa Monica, UCLA Medical Center (24-hour)
| 310 319 4000
|-
| Los Angeles County Disaster Hotline
| 800 980 4990
|}

==Non-Emergency & Advisory Services==

===Embassies & Consulates===

Use [http://www.embassyhomepage.com/ Embassy Homepage] for full listings of all embassies and consulates in Los Angeles.

==Last-minute Accomodation==

===Hostels & Hotels===

'''Agencies'''
Unlike small compact cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles is a large sprawling metropolitan area that blends into surrounding cities and counties.
Even by car, it can take two hours to get from one end to the other. When selecting a hostel, check that it's in the area you want to explore.

[http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm http://www.twizi.com/losangeleshostels.htm] Includes an over all map of where all their hostels are located. 

[http://www.lahostels.org/ http://www.lahostels.org/] They have hostels in three areas of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Bay and Fullerton (Orange County).
There also have a "Travel Store" with classes for new travelers, Eurorail and Amtrak passes, and shuttles around the southwest. 

[http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa http://www.hostels.com/los-angeles/usa ] 

[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/ http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/los-angeles/] 

[http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/ http://www.usahostels.com/hollywood/] 

Many hostels listed with an agnecy may also have there own website. You may wish to check the individual website to see if the price is any better.

'''Individual Hostels'''

[http://www.hilosangeles.org/ Hosteling International Santa Monica]
Good location in Santa Monica and close to Venice Beach. Lots of shops, pubs and is next to the beach. Third Street Promenade is also close.

[http://www.laadventurerhotel.com The LA Adventurer]
Not in a prime location but have clean and spacious rooms. Living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Dorm options available as well. Free 24-hour shuttle from airport, free wireless. Access to pool and restaurant, including free continental breakfast and afternoon tea. Free champagne and appetizers from 5-6 pm.

[http://www.vibemotel.com/ Vibe Hotel]
Situated on Hollywood and Vine, close to Hollywood attractions. Very modern and clean.

[http://www.orbithotel.com/ Orbit Hotel/Hostel]
Rooms are not impressive but are typically dorms. Free parking. The staff is friendly and helpful. The location is quite nice, especially for people who travel alone or are more concerned with general safety. Good walk to various destinations. Located at Melrose and Fairfax.

[http://www.venicebeachcotel.com/ Venice Beach Hotel]
The location is close to the beach and Venice boardwalk.

[http://www.surfcityhostel.ws/ Surf City Hostel]
Prime location but noisy and busy neighborhood espeically during weekends. Artsy atmosphere and sits above a local bar/club. Right next to the beach and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Live music, DJs in the surrounding area.

[http://www.orangedrivehostel.com/index.htm Orange Manor Hollywood]
Quiet, great location for Hollywood sightseeing and close to Metro.

==Local CS City Ambassadors==

You can contact the City [[Ambassadors]] for more information:

*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/letsgoalex/ Alex]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/jarocha/ Carmen]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/melliot/ Mike]
*[http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/mirijoon/ Miri]

[http://www.couchsurfing.com/amb_ethics.html What are Ambassadors?]

== Local links ==
[[:csgroup:565|Couchsurfing group]] - [[:wikipedia:Los Angeles|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:Los Angeles|Wikitravel]]

New York City

2012-12-03T03:08:40Z

The juanderer: original transfer of CS NYC wiki page on 2 December 2012

{{United States}}
[[image:Newyork-flag.jpg|left|thumb|Flag of the City of New York]]
'''New York City''', also known as ''The Big Apple'', is the biggest city in the [[United States]].

==Meetings==

New York City's CouchSurfing community has a website with a calendar, photos of past events and other information: http://csnyc.org/

The [http://bit.ly/CSNYcalendar Google Calendar] for NYC is a great way to keep informed of upcoming events in the greater NYC area. To add CSNewYork to your Google Calendar, do a search by email: couchsurfingnewyork@gmail.com

Follow us on [http://twitter.com/CSNewYork Twitter] for the latest updates. To receive tweets of our NYC group posts, follow [http://twitter.com/CouchSurfNY CouchSurfNY].

After the meetups, be sure to share your photos on [http://www.flickr.com/groups/couchsurfingnyc/ our Flickr group] or on our [https://www.facebook.com/csnewyork Facebook group].

Thursdays have been the weekly meeting day but there is always something going on. The [http://www.couchsurfing.com/group.html?gid=2372 New York City Group] is an excellent way to keep up to date. You should definitely join before visiting.

There are also regular meetups in [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=2399/ Brooklyn], [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=3813/ Queens] and [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=327/ New Jersey].

==New Member Welcome Kit==
The [http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/United_states_new_member_welcome_kit US New Member Welcome Kit] answers a lot of questions and is a great resource for both new members and seasoned CSers.

==Important Numbers & Services==

===Emergency Services===
Dial '''911''' from any phone to contact emergency services when there is an emergency, lives are in danger, serious injury, serious medical condition, crime in progress, or any other situation needing immediate attention.

===NYC Information===
Dial '''311''' from any phone for government and non-emergency information or visit [http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/ their website.]

===NYC Subway Information===
Dial '''511''' from any phone for information on the subway and bus system or visit [http://www.mta.info their website.]

===Government Information===
[http://www.nyc.gov/ Official NYC website.]

===Police Stations ===
If you are really unlucky and manage to land yourself into trouble, here's a [http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/home/precincts.shtml list of the local police stations.]

==Staying Safe==

===Safety Tips===
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/safety.html Safety features on CS]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/read_profile_tips.html How to read a profile]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/couchrequest_tips.html Finding and requesting a couch]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/surf_tips.html Tips for surfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/host_tips.html Tips for hosting]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/solo_tips.html Solo couchsurfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/family_tips.html Family couchsurfing]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/references.html Writing and reading references]
* [http://wiki.couchsurfing.org/en/Handling_Dating_Requests Dating & CS]
* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/scams.html Avoiding scams & dealing with spam]

===CS Guidelines===
What's acceptable to do on CS? Read our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/guidelines.html guidelines] and [http://www.couchsurfing.org/terms.html terms of use].

===References===
'''Honest, accurate references''' are incredibly important!

You do not have to couchsurf with someone in order to leave a reference. You are encouraged to write a reference whenever you have learned something about a CouchSurfer that will be informative to the community. The [http://www.couchsurfing.org/references.html CS guide to references] gives you more information about when to write a reference and what information to include.

Please remember that reporting a negative experience is not the end of the world. It is normal that not everybody gets along fine and that '''''you are describing your experience for the benefit of others, not judging a person.''''' '''Negative references aren't just for safety issues. They're to give you a better idea of who the person is.''' CS will make every effort to remove any unjustified negative references received in retaliation for having left a negative reference. The [http://www.couchsurfing.org/mdst_faq.html#DeleteRef Member Disputes FAQ] has more information about when CS will remove a reference.

Doing the right thing in reporting a negative experience honestly will not create insurmountable problems, and '''''the clean conscience of not sharing responsibility for seriously bad things happening to other members by far outweighs any inconvenience.'''''

Reporting CSers who behave inappropriately, including but not limited to offensive, violent or sexually inappropriate behavior, who steals from you or engages in any other disturbing conduct, is required by our [http://www.couchsurfing.org/terms.html terms of use]. You must immediately report such person to the appropriate authorities and to us by [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contacting us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member.”

===Member Disputes & Safety Team===

'''You are required to report dangerous members to the MDST.''' You can do this by going to [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contact us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member." It is important to do this even if you choose not to leave a negative reference or press charges, so the MDST can look out for recurring problems and take action as necessary. If you require assistance with moderating a dispute or filing a police report, please contact MDST and/or a local ambassador.

* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/mdst_faq.html MDST FAQs]

* [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=6220&post=517373 What can or can't the MDST do?]

===Theft===
'''You are required to report dangerous members to the MDST.''' You can do this by going to [http://www.couchsurfing.org/contact.html contact us] and choosing "Problem with Another Member." It is important to do this even if you choose not to leave a negative reference or press charges, so that the MDST can look out for recurring problems and take action as necessary. If you require assistance with moderating a dispute or filing a police report, please contact MDST and/or a local ambassador.

It is not advisable to post a public warning about another member. The MDST will take action and warn members under [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=6220&post=828170 specific circumstances].

===CouchSurfing Workshops===
Please check the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=2372 NYCS group] and [http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=couchsurfingnewyork%40gmail.com&ctz=America/New_York events calendar] for our next workshop. Workshops include information on how to set up a profile, what to expect while hosting and surfing, and how to stay safe while CSing.

===Self Defense Classes===
A number of organizations offer self-defense classes in New York City. Many colleges and non-profit organizations will host free or low-cost classes.

* Center for Anti-Violence Education
*: Free or low-cost self-defense workshops for children, teens, women and trans-folk. Located in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
*: 718-788-1775
*: http://www.caeny.org/
* Impact Personal Safety
*: Self-defense courses for children, teens, women and men.
*: 212-255-0505
*: http://www.prepareinc.com/
* Attackproof
*: Unique drills, exercises and principles cover everything from Awareness and avoidance to hand-to-hand and weapons training. Offered in various locations.
*: http://attackproof.com/CLASSES-IN-real-self-defense.html#group%20classes

==Finding a Couch==

===Doing a CouchSearch===
Finding a couch in NYC can be difficult because hosts receive many requests and most people live in small apartments. Send out requests early and be prepared to move around during your stay.

Doing a couchsearch of New York will only bring up hosts in Manhattan, so be sure to search in all five boros (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island). You can do this by doing a specific search or setting a five mile radius.

Keep in mind that New Jersey is just over the river. Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, Fort Lee, are closer to Manhattan than some parts of Brooklyn & Queens, and provide 24 hour access to the city (check hosts profile to see if they say that they live near a 24 hour bus or the [http://www.panynj.gov/path/ PATH train]).

====Try doing a CouchSearch for:====
* Queens: Astoria, NY; Elmhurst, NY; Flushing, NY; Jackson Heights, NY; Long Island City, NY; Ridgewood, NY; Sunnyside, NY

* Bronx, NY

* Brooklyn, NY

* Staten Island, NY

* New Jersey: Hoboken, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Newark, NJ; Weehawken, NJ; White Plains, NJ; Fort Lee, NJ

* Westchester: Yonkers, NY; Bronxville, NY; White Plains, NY

====Public Transportation====
The various public transportation systems allow easy, relatively cheap movement around the NYC metro area. Pretty much everything within a 15-20 mile radius allows easy access to Manhattan. You can go as far as 100 miles out but fares and transit time increase. Maps are available online:
* [http://www.mta.info NYC Transit] (NYC subway and bus)
*[http://www.mta.info/mnr/ MetroNorth] (commuter rail to the north)
* [http://www.njtransit.com/ New Jersey Transit] (commuter rail and bus)
* [http://www.panynj.gov/path/ PATH] (subway to NJ)
* [http://www.mta.info/lirr/ LIRR] (commuter rail to the east)
* [http://www.mta.info/libus/index.html Long Island Bus] (buses to east).

===Emergency Couch Group===
Post your last-minute couchrequests in the [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=5845 Last Minute CouchRequest Group]

It is always better to find a host by messaging other members directly. '''Please only use this group for emergencies and last minute couches.''' For example, you should not post to this group if you're looking for a couch 2 months from now.

Please take some extra time to read potential hosts' profiles, including sleeping arrangements and references, in order to find a good match. Usually you look through many profiles before
finding someone to contact. Make sure to take the same care when people are contacting you and offering a last minute couch. We want you to all have good NYCS experiences.

===Other Accommodation===
New York hosts are often overwhelmed by requests, so it's not always possible to find a host through CouchSurfing.

'''Map of hostels & affordable hotels:''' http://bit.ly/hnp0zg

====Temporary Apartment Listings====
*[http://newyork.craigslist.org/sub/ Craigslist]
*:NOTE: ALWAYS DEAL LOCALLY WITH FOLKS YOU CAN MEET IN PERSON - follow this one rule and avoid 99% of scam attempts on craigslist. (from the craigslist website)
*[http://nyc.sublet.com/ Sublet.com]

====Hospitality Sites====
*[http://www.airbnb.com Air BnB]
*[http://www.globalfreeloaders.com/ Global Freeloaders]

====Hostels====
*Cheap, clean rooms can be found at the [http://ymcanyc.org/index.php?id=963 YMCA]
*[http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/New-York Hostel World]
*[http://www.hostels.com/us.ny.ny.html Hostels.com]
*[http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/usa/new-york-city/ Hostel Bookers]
* Reviews of NYC hostels [http://www.yelp.com/c/nyc/hostels]

Inexpensive Hostels (list from C. R. Page as of February 2011)
* Royal Park Hotel and Hostel, 258 West 97th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.95
* Lafayette International Hostel, 484 Lafayette Av., Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $20
* Tone on Lex, 179 East 94th, New York, USA - Beds from $15
* Williamsburg HostL, 318 Bedford Ave #2, Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $26
* Columbus Circle Hostel, 120 West 60th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $24
* New York Hostel 99, 30 East 129th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $20.95
* AAE New York Hostel, 13909 89th Ave, JFK AIRPORT, New York, USA - Beds from $20.99
* Chocolat Hostel, 850 West End Avenue, New York, USA - Beds from $18.75
* The Candy Hostel, 315 W. 94th Street., New York, USA - Beds from $18.75
* Hostel 104, 2027 1st Avenue, New York, USA - Beds from $21.95
* New York Empire Hostel, 269 Meserole Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.99
* The New York Loft Hostel, 249 Varet St., Brooklyn, New York, USA - Beds from $20
* AAE Super Eight Hostel New York, 139-01 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica Van Wyck Subway New York, New York, USA - Beds from $20.99
* The Wanderers Inn West, 257 West 113th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $19.50
* Jazz on Lenox, 104 West 128 Street, New York, USA - Beds from $17
* Jazz on Amsterdam Avenue, 201 West 87th Street, New York, USA - Beds from $22
* Broadway Hotel n Hostel, 230 West 101 Street, New York, USA - Beds from $20

== Transportation ==
'''See the [http://wikitravel.org/en/New_York_(city) New York City Wikitravel] page for detailed advice about transportation and attractions.'''

===By Plane===
There are three major Airports in the NYC area. JFK and LaGuardia (LGA) are both located in Queens.
Newark is located in New Jersey but provides for easy access to the city.

[http://offmanhattan.com/2010/06/21/nyc-airport-transportation/ Off Manhattan's Airport Transportation Guide]

====JFK====
The AirTrain costs $5 and runs from JFK and connects to the following subway/train stops
• LIRR trains and E/J/Z subways at Jamaica Station
• The "A" subway line at Howard Beach Station
From these subways and trains most of the 5 boroughs and outlying areas can be reached rather easily.

For trips between (to and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is $45.00 plus any tolls using Rate Code 2 on the meter. A NY State Tax Surcharge of $.50 will be added to each trip.

If passengers request multiple stops, the flat rate of $45.00 will be collected at the first stop in either Manhattan or JFK International Airport, and the meter will be activated at Rate Code 1 (standard city rate) for the remainder of the trip. The metered fare should be collected at the last stop, from the last passenger.

Trips between JFK International Airport and New York City destinations other than Manhattan will use that standard metered rate.

If you're looking to cab in don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to split a cab with you.
Various Express buses are also running and range from $15 - $25 for a trip to Manhattan.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

====LaGuardia (LGA)====
Various buses run between LaGuardia and the 5 boroughs.
The two most popular buses are the M60 and the Q33. The M60 will take you into Manhattan and travels west along 125th Street, making stops at the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines at Lexington Ave; the MetroNorth station at Park Ave; the 2 and the 3 at Lenox Ave; the A, B, C and D at Saint Nicholas Ave; and the 1 at Broadway. The Q33 drops you off in Jackson Heights near different subway stations depending on where you need to get off. Don't hesitate to ask the bus driver where to get off for your particular subway line if you're unsure.

Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $30. If you want to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

====Newark (EWR)====
New Jersey Transit runs their own AirTrain service from Newark to New York Penn Station for around $15. This is usually the fastest method. See http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=AirportConnectionsTo for more information.
Cab rides to Manhattan and other areas are metered. During non rush hours the typical cab ride into Manhattan will be at least $50. If you're looking to take a taxi don't be afraid to ask people where they're going and see if they're willing to share the cost with you.

The least expensive way is to take the New Jersey Transit #62 bus ($1.50) in front of the terminals to Newark Penn Station (20 minutes), and then the PATH train ($2) to lower Manhattan (25 minutes). They are both very frequent during the day.

Safety notice: Do NOT accept a ride from people inside or near the airport exit offering a taxi service -- those drivers are unlicensed and their cars do not have meters. Best case you will share the ride with strangers while paying the same rates as your own cab. Worst case... well, just don't use an unlicensed taxi service!

===By Bus===
There are many buses that connect New York with other major cities in the northeast, which are often significantly cheaper and more convenient that Greyhound or even Amtrak. These are the Chinatown buses and will typically run from Chinatown in New York City to the Chinatown area in another city. Often they pick up and drop off passengers on the side of the street, so it is important to know where they are. There are many companies that operate between the major cities, usually running every half hour every day.

The following are a few of the many companies:

New Century Travel 
http://www.2000coach.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT) and Richmond ($60 RT)

Fung Wah Bus 
https://www.fungwahbus.com/Default.aspx 
Operates Between NYC and Boston ($30 RT)

Apex Bus 
http://www.apexbus.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Philly ($20 RT), Washington ($35 RT), Richmond ($60 RT), Baltimore ($35 RT), Rockville, MD ($45 RT), Norfolk ($60 RT), Albany ($45 RT), Atlanta ($200 RT), Nashville ($70 RT)

Bolt Bus 
http://www.boltbus.com/ 
Operates between NYC and Boston ($16-20 OW), Philly ($13-$15 OW), Baltimore ($18-$20 OW), Washington ($18-$25 OW). However, if you book far enough in advance you can get a ticket for as little as $1 OW. They also offer wifi on board and power outlets.

The best way to find other companies is to google "Chinatown bus New York City'"

===By Car===
Goethals Bridge connects New Jersey and Staten Island
Holland Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
Lincoln Tunnel connects New Jersey and Manhattan
George Washington Bridge connects New Jersey and Manhattan
More information can be found at:
http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/

===By Foot or bicycle ===
The George Washington Bridge lets you walk or ride a bike across it when coming from the mainland (New Jersey). It offers quite a stunning view of the Hudson river and NYC skyline.

===Mass transit once in the city===
New York City arguably has the best developed and easiest public transportation system of all major cities in the United States (http://www.mta.info). It is easily navigable, runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is safe. It is an aged system, though, and some subway stations can smell bad and be unbearably hot in the summer, and there is a lot of rat poison applied on a regular basis. But the subway cars are generally clean, climate-controlled and well-maintained. Also, note that you are also subject to random "bag checks" by the police at all times (but I've only seen a couple of instances of this in the last few years).
As a traveler without a car or bicycle you will heavily rely on NYC's public transportation system and you could wind up taking at least half a dozen rides in the subway/bus on any given day. At $2.25 per ride that can become an expensive proposition. Thus, your best bet is to buy an "Unlimited" Metrocard that provides unlimited rides within on the subway and bus system of NYC (all 5 boroughs) for either 7 days ($29) or 30 days ($104). The 1-day and 14-day unlimited cards have been eliminated. In one of the most expensive cities in the world, the Unlimited ride option is one of the most cost-efficient purchases you can make. To determine if the 7-day card is a good value for you, consider this: if you pay for each ride 13 times, you have already spent more than $29.
The Metrocards are available at all times from the vending machines in most subway stations. The pay-per-ride Metrocard will give you a 7% bonus for a purchase of $10 or more (e.g., $10 gets you $10.70). When using a Metrocard (but not the white single-fare cards), you may transfer free from local bus-to-subway, subway-to-local bus or local bus-to-local bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. So, you could take the subway uptown and then hop on a bus back downtown for $2.25 if you get on the bus within 2 hours of entering the subway station.
Again, if you're going to spend a lot of time in the city and/or will be making a lot of trips, then you should buy the unlimited ride Metrocard rather than the pay-per-ride Metrocard.

===Bicycling within the city===
New York City has become more bike friendly over the last couple of years with the establishment of bike lanes on various streets and avenues in the City. If you have a bike, ask your host if there is a safe place to store it.

NYC bike trails 
http://www.nycbikemaps.com 

==Visiting New York City==
New York City isn't just Manhattan. It's worth at least a visit to each of the outer boroughs to provide yourself with a well-rounded experience. New York City is comprised of Manhattan (New York County), The Bronx (Bronx County), Queens (Queens County), Brooklyn (Kings County), and Staten Island (Richmond County).
Some highly recommended places outside Manhattan include: Astoria, Queens (take the N or W subway line from Broadway to Ditmars Bvld or the R line to Steinway) located directly across the East river from Manhattan. Astoria has many great ethnic restaurants from Eastern European and Greek to South American and Asian cuisine. The population is very diverse and mostly young. Jackson Heights, Queens (Roosevelt Ave stop on the E,F,R,V or anywhere on the 7 between about 74th Street and 90th Street) is an incredible multicultural neighborhood primarily populated by various Latino groups (bring your Spanish phrasebook!), and don't forget to stop by the Little India. Williamsburg, Brooklyn (L to Bedford Ave.) is an up-and-coming hipster neighborhood filled with many cute shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. Coney Island (D,N,F,Q to the Coney Island station) is not to be missed at just about any time of year if you don't mind the long subway trip. This is such a tiny offering of the hundreds of fascinating and diverse neighborhoods to explore.
When in Manhattan, JUST WALK! You can walk for hours and hours, and almost every street is fascinating. See how places change character over a matter of blocks, how different people live next to one another, etc. This is one of the best cities for just getting lost (although that's a bit difficult given the grid).

===Museums & Attractions===
Being the big city that it is, New York City is home to many of the world's finest art museums featuring many well-known and famous paintings. Naturally (and unfortunately), you will have to pay for admission to these museums. Of course, these admissions benefit the museums and help them preserve their collections, but there is a once-weekly exception to this. On Fridays from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, one can gain free admission into the '''Museum of Modern Art''' (also known by its abbreviation, MoMA, and is commonly referred to as that) through their Target Free Friday Nights (which is sponsored by the American department store chain called Target). Outside of the museum before 4:00, a series of dividers are placed to the side of the museum to create a place for people to stand online while they wait to enter for free. Despite the 4 hour time range, one should arrive at least 45 minutes beforehand (3:15) because the line does becomes very long and full of people interested in free tickets. Tickets are given out first-come first-serve, so be sure to arrive early. Yes, the museum will be much more crowded than normally, but this is a great way to see some of the world's finest collections of modern art yet have money for dinner later on that night as well.

'''There are a number of museums in the city that are free, offer free hours, various discounts or suggested donations.'''

Many NYC locals have free passes to museums, through membership, school or work. Be sure to ask around!

[http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2009/09/museum_free_hou_1.php List of museums with free or discounted hours]

[http://www.ny.com/museums/all.museums.html A list of all museums in NYC]

===Mobile/cell phone information===

There are two main GSM providers in the US: AT&T and T-Mobile. Verizon and Sprint do not use SIM cards, so you cannot use your GSM phone with those providers. However, there are also MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that buy AT&T and T-Mobile service wholesale and sell it retail on a prepaid basis.

NOTE: not all GSM phones are compatible with US GSM service providers, but if your phone is "tri-band" or "quad-band", it should be compatible for voice and SMS services. Check with your provider to make sure. Also make sure that your phone is "unlocked" so that it can operate with SIM cards that do not belong to your provider. If your phone is locked to your carrier, it may be possible to have it unlocked for a small fee in the Chinatown area of Manhattan.

If you plan to use data on your smart phone here in the US, 3G data services in the US are often incompatible with phones not made specifically for the US. Your phone must be compatible with both frequencies of a provider to be compatible with 3G data. If it is not, you can still get data service, just at a slower speed (2G, also known as Edge).

* AT&T uses both the 800 MHz and the 1900 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network. They use the 700 MHz frequency for their LTE (4G) service.

* T-Mobile uses both the 1700 MHz and the 2100 MHz frequency bands for their 3G data network, which in some cities is as fast as the 4G networks -- with the right phone.

You can input your phone model in [http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3 this website] to find out its specifications and if it supports the frequencies above, or you can input the IMEI of your phone in [http://www.imei.info/ this website] to find out the model and the frequencies. The IMEI is usually located under the battery of most mobile phones.

Here is a listing of GSM prepaid plans. Note that many of these plans include international minutes and/or SMS text messaging. Also note that in the US, the owner of the mobile phone pays for both incoming and outgoing minutes and SMS/text messages, but people do not pay more to call you on your phone or send you an SMS/text message.

* AT&T (2nd largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp

* T-Mobile (4th largest cell phone service provider in the US): http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

If you walk into a T-Mobile or AT&T store and ask for a prepaid SIM and activate it in the store, they will probably charge you $5 or $6 for the SIM.

MVNOs:

* Red Pocket buys AT&T service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://goredpocket.com/plans/ here].

* H2O Wireless also buys AT&T service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://www.h2owirelessnow.com/pageControl.php?page=plans&category=W here].

* SimpleMobile buys T-Mobile service wholesale and sells it retail on a prepaid basis. Their plans are [http://www.mysimplemobile.com/Simple-Mobile-Plan.aspx here].

A Red Pocket or SimpleMobile SIM card at a store in NYC will cost you $20 or more. You can buy an H2O Wireless SIM card at [http://www.bestbuy.com BestBuy] for $10.

You can get a SIM card from any of these providers on eBay or at their respective websites for $5 or less, plus shipping (often the seller offers free shipping to addresses in the US, and a small shipping fee outside the US). If you buy the SIM online, you can then have the seller ship it to your host or hostel and then activate it online. It is safe to purchase a SIM card on eBay, but just be careful not to purchase a used SIM (the listings clearly state when the SIM is used), and whether you buy from eBay or directly from the provider's website, purchase far enough in advance so that it is delivered before you arrive.

You can also buy an inexpensive phone once you arrive in the US with credit already on it (for example: GoPhone, Virgin Mobile, and Boost Mobile), and you can add to that credit if you need to. Plans differ by provider, so you have to ask what the plan is before you buy the phone. Stores where you can buy such phones:
* Duane Reade (drugstore chain)
* CVS (also a drugstore chain)
* Rite Aid (yes, another drugstore chain)
* BestBuy (electronics chain)

===Internet Access===
The [http://nypl.org/hours/index.cfm?Trg=6/ NY Public Library], [http://www.timessquarenyc.org/about_us/info_center.html/ Times Square Information Center], Times Square Plaza and [http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/ Apple Stores] have computers with free internet access and wifi.

Many of the parks have free wifi, including [http://www.downtownny.com/discover/wifi/ several downtown], [http://www.nycwireless.org/ Madison Square Park], [http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/wireless.html/ Union Square], and [http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/wireless.php/ Bryant Park], Starbucks and McDonalds.

===Luggage Storage===
There are no luggage lockers in New York airports or train stations. The lockers below have been posted to the NYC CS group.

[http://www.schwartztravel.com/ Schwartz Travel Services] 212-290-2626
355 W 36th St. Between 8th & 9th Ave. 2F NY NY 10018 Open: 8:30am - 8pm & 43 W 46th St. Between 5th & 6th Ave. 6F NY NY 10036. Open: 8am - 11pm
Storage Price: approximately $8 to $10 (depending on size). per 24 hours.
Monthly Rate: $3 to $5 a day, per luggage, box or locker.

More information can be found [http://www.nyc.com/visitor_guide/luggage_storage.75878/editorial_review.aspx here]

===Guides===
[http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=33&msid=108047898552674067952.00047d23dc894942569d4&abauth=4abaf1f8:lFs7hSUNRGUnnfdWu50UN48SMVE A Google map made by some CSers in New York] - bars, cafes and fun places to go

[http://newyork.heyletsgo.com/ Hey LetsGo New York]- Lists fun events in New York.

[http://www.panoramicearth.com/2003/New_York/New_York New York Virtual Tour] - Loads of 360 panoramas of New York sights linked to Google maps with local and travel information.

[http://newyorkwalkabouts.blogspot.com/ New York Walkabouts] A NYC blog that's short on commentary, but big on NYC resources as well as quirky NYC history, and off-the-tourist-track info on what to do, see, eat, hear, and lots of links to helpful NYC sites. If you are interested in a '''free walking tour''' with the blog's author (me!) get in touch! http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/cookiecat/



[http://www.writingtravellers.com/tikiwiki/New_York_City] A free guide in which you can add and edit as well. If registered you can create a pdf of the guide via the build a guidebook function.

===Local suggestions===

[http://www.nikkiyeager.com/apps/blog/show/5325171-what-i-wish-i-could-tell-every-couchsurfer-about-nyc Tips from a NYC host]

==== Tourist Destinations ====
* '''Central Park''' LOVE the free tours (Wed./Sat./Sun.)(http://www.centralparknyc.org/site/PageNavigator/programs_walkingtours
* '''Union Square''' there always seems to be something going on, and if not, you can either shop, or just walk around or people watch.
* '''Staten Island Ferry''' cheap and fun to get out on the water (and see the Statue of Liberty).
* '''Broadway''' Hit up the TKTS booth at 46th between 8th and Broadway for day-of tickets. Line-up usually starts around 12/1 for the 3 pm sales for shows that night. You can also try the rush tickets for Rent, Avenue Q, and Wicked the day of for 25 dollar tickets.
* '''St. John the Divine''' is spectacular, one of the significant architectural spectacles in the city. Check out Sunday Mass. I'm not a believer, but it's pretty.
* '''Frick''' The MOMA and the Met are amazing (but the MOMA is $20 a pop, except Friday nights, for free) but the Frick has a lot going on. The Bellini, St. Francis in the Desert, is one of the greatest paintings you'll ever see. The Whistlers, Turners, Goyas, and all kinds of cool stuff, are just terrific. And it's not as crowded as the other two.
* '''Top of the Rock''' was magical (still amazed at quality of my pics of Empire State Building from there) as was rest of that area like the ice skating at Rockefeller

====Best NYC View====
* Take the PATH Train to '''Hoboken or Jersey City''' for a great view of the Manhattan skyline while you walk along their waterfront promenade. When you return to the WTC station, you circle through the entire pit and get a good view.
* Take the PATH out to Hoboken, and take '''NY Waterways''' back from Hoboken to Pier 11 - you circle the south end of Manhattan, get a good view of the buildings, Governor's island, and you can see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (from a distance). $5.50/person.
* Walk across the '''Brooklyn Bridge!''' Perfect views of the city, and awesome pictures. Head over to Grimaldi's for Pizza, or the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, both down by the river (under the bridge). Take the train over to Brooklyn and then walk back towards Manhattan. Much better than the other way around and having to turn around to see the skyline.

==== Shows ====
* $5 improv show in the '''UCB theater''' (26th and 8th Ave).
* Indie performance art show at '''the Kitchen''' (19th and 10th Ave)
* '''Comedy Cellar''' Pricey but have always had a great time there.
* movies at '''Angelika''' http://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_index.asp?hID=1
* Free '''David Letterman''' standby tickets on taping days on West side of Broadway South of Ed Sullivan (heading down into heart of Times Square) Theatre between 12:30 (thereabouts) till about 3pm, people with green clip boards saying "Free David Letterman Tickets!" You have to answer an EASY Question for the ticket... When I went main guest was Alec Baldwin...
* '''ABC NO RIO''' has great punk matinees and art shows. The history of ABC is inspiring. Hopefully they have copies of the zine that tells the history. Maybe Blue Stockings will have it. www.abcnorio.org

==== Hangouts, Bars & Clubs ====
* '''Fat Cat!''' Just by Christopher Street station on Christopher Street. Big basement, live jazz 'til the following morning - table football, ping pong, pool, scrabble and chess. Love it.
* '''The Revival''' of course, with its floor of couches and a nice backyard ... And so many memories from thursday nights. 15th street bw Irvin Place & 3rd Ave
* '''The Crocodile Lounge''', one free full pizza for every drink ! 14th street bw 2nd & 1st Ave
* '''Hotel QT''', free indoor swimming pool/steambath. 45th street bw Broadway and 6th Ave
* '''Lit''' every tuesday night, the most horrible live music you can hear in town, and free vodka from 11 to midnight. 2nd Ave at 5th street
* '''McSoreley's Ale House''' - 7th st bet 2nd / cooper ave
* if you like '''hookah''', '''Cozy's''' on 1st ave and 1st street is wonderful.
* '''Karaoke'''- there are SO many great karaoke bars in the city. I especially like the karaoke room idea (share a room with friends) Try Sing Sing on the Lower East Side.
* '''Xunta''' (174 1st Ave, cross 11th street), Spanish tapas place with great Flamenco performers on thursdays and saturdays. Their tapas list is just mind blowing (their prices too, alas)
* '''Swift''' (308 Spring street), Irish pub with traditional irish music on tuesdays. Makes me really feel like being in Ireland :)
* ''''Slate''' - Great for pool, ping pong in a sort of clubby setting.
* '''Shade''' On the corner of W 3rd and Sullivan. Amazing wine bar, great crapes. Very small, trendy, and chill.
* '''No Malice Palace'''. E 3rd Street between Avenues A and B. A bar/lounge with a back patio and a DJ on weekends. Gets really crowded, but is really fun.
* If you're willing to venture into Queens a bit...the '''Beer Garden'''. Take the N, W to Astoria Blvd. Go E on 31st St towards 24th Rd. Turn left. You can't miss it. A great place to hang out when the weather's nice. A very mixed crowd.
* Best night out- '''Don't Tell Mama's Piano Bar'''- 343 West 46th Street. So fun! Slighty pricey drinks but the entertainment is worth it! Get there before 9 for seats for your whole group!
* '''South Street Sea Port''' is another favorite spot in NYC- there's shopping, the Bodies exhibit, you can watch the ships go by, sitting out along the East River. Great at sunset surrounded by the bridges.
* '''Kurve''' - Restaurant/bar/lounge - corner of 5th st and 2nd Ave. Open LATE. Thursday nights are free live jazz. It's a hip, modern looking place, with couches on one side of the bar and tables on the other. The bar is constantly growing, with many interesting mixed drinks. They just got a brand new set of whiskey. The food is a wonderfully unique modern Thai. The owner, Andy, is a great guy. Tell the bartender's that Al sent you.
* '''Nu Blu''' - Live Latin Jazz club - East side of Ave C between 4th St and 5th St. Music every night of the week. Always a cover, from $5 to $10. Gets a little packed on weekends. Hard to find, but always amazing music.
* '''Spike Hill''' - Live Jazz and Irish Bar - Corner of Bedford Ave and N 7th St in Wiiliamsburg - Great selection of whiskey and scotch in the irish half, great jazz in the jazz half.
* '''Tea Lounge''' at 837 Union Street in Park Slope has really good wine, coffe, cakes and other goodies. The live bands are really good (all bands are from brooklyn) and the area you sit in looks really nice. Total eye candy.
* '''The Royal''' at 506 5th Ave in Park Slope: on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each mounth has a really good dance party that is off the hook. Early in the night you have really upbeat dance music, then in the middle of the night you have some hip hop mixed with soul and some latin music. Then at the end of the night you have a live drummer and the DJ spins some really trippy beats.

====Shops====
* '''The Strand bookstore''' 18 miles of new and used books and really cheap! Corner of Broadway and 12th, near Union Square.
* '''Midtown Comics''' 200 W 40th Street (Corner of 7th Avenue)- is a great place to see alternative nyers and load up on comic books...
* '''The Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company''' in Brooklyn (372 Fifth Avenye), for when you need to get your hands on a cheap supply of wonderflownium for your freeze ray. They are the exclusive dealers of Aardvark Bros. MFG Co (purveyors of Truth Serum, Invisibility Potions, and other supplies) However, you can only purchase anything as long as you swear that it will only be used for good... (all proceeds go towards 826 NYC)
* '''McNally Johnson''' (formerlly McNally Robinson) bookshop in NoLita on Mulberry and Spring Street. I buy books here all the time, even when I get a pretty decent discount at another place. The cafe is lovely and gets pastries from Bathlazar, the staff is friendly, and there's free wi-fi a with purchase. Plus there are plenty of chairs around for browsing purposes.
* '''Blue Stockings Bookstore''' puts on low cost or free cultural events. It´s locate in the Lower East Side.
* Brooklyn Based's [http://brooklynbased.net/email/bb-guide-vintage-shops/ '''Guide to Vintage Stores''']

====Free & Cheap Events====

[http://www.freenyc.net/ Free NYC]

[http://www.theskint.com/ The Skint]

[http://www.nycgo.com/free/Official NYC site of Free Activities]

[http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/nyc/ Free Tours By Foot] Like tours offered in Europe, this company offers free, tip-based New York sightseeing tours that are informative and not aimed at your typical tourist. Fun!

====Summer Events====

[http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/ River to River]

[http://www.celebratebrooklyn.org/ Celebrate Brooklyn]

[http://www.summerstage.org/ NYC Summerstage]

[http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/ Hudson River Park]

[http://www.lincolncenter.org/ Lincoln Center]

[http://www.centralpark.com/ Central Park]

[http://www.bryantpark.org/ Bryant Park]

===Food===

[http://www.theskint.com/2007/01/free-eats.html The Skint's Free Eats]

[http://nymag.com/restaurants/cheapeats/2009/57877/ New York Magazine's Cheap List]

====Local suggestions====
* If you like Indian.. check out '''Panna II''' 93 1st Ave, (Btwn 5th & 6th St - upstairs on the right). The place is inexpensive, super cramped inside and the decor is not to be missed. It's BYO, they do have soda if you bring liquor and glasses if you bring wine or beer.
* best buffalo wings in NYC: '''down the hatch''' in the west village (5 min. walk from the W4th subway station). good cider beer too.
* '''Dokebi''' Korean BBQ
* '''Otafuku''' try the octopus balls (takoyaki) 9th st bet 3rd/2nd ave
* '''Decibel sake bar''' (basement) - 9th st bet 3rd/2nd ave
* '''Congee Village''' (for congee) on Allen, Cong Ly for Pho on Hester
* that arepa place on 7th, a mexican diner called '''Grand Morelos''' (24 hours!) on Grand & Graham in Brooklyn
* '''Reben Luncheonette''' / Delicious Ice Cold for bacon egg & cheese & morir sonando on haevemeyer in BK
* '''Effy's Cafe''' Upper East Side (91st and 3rd) for Mediterranean/Israeli food
* '''Mamoons''' Awesome shwarmas, lines out the door whenever you go. around Bleeker and McDougal
* '''Cafe Dante''' Awesome Cafe Mocha and delicious tiramisu. Cant vouch for anything else. around Bleeker and McDougal
* '''XUNTA''' Some of the best tapas I've had outside of barcelona. Delis sangria & the live flamenco is a treat. The space is casual - the people who work there are very sweet. And it wont break your bank.
* '''S'mac''' just past the Revival....Only macaroni and cheese, and every possible combination you can imagine...pretty inexpensive too!
* '''Criff Dogs''' on St. Marks between 1st Ave and Ave A, with a huge sausage hanging above the door with the words 'Eat me' 15 different kinds of hot dogs, good price... And a hidden bar inside :)
* '''Ali Baba''' 212 E 34th, btw 3rd and 2nd Ave
* '''Turkish Kitchen''' 386 3rd Ave, corner 28th
* '''Sahara''' 513 2nd Ave, corner 29th
* '''Cafe Lalo''' 201 W 83rd St
* '''Little Senegal''' (Le Petit Sénégal) for various west african dishes and hair braids :) This in Harlem - neighborhood's main streets are the blocks surrounding W. 116th Street between St. Nicholas Avenue on the east and Morningside Park to the west.
* '''Ashiya''' 167 1st Avenue Between 10th and 11th Streets. 30 bucks for all you can eat sushi, which includes special rolls and all you can drink cold/hot saki, wine and beer.
* '''Moto''' just off of the Hewes street stop on the JaMeZ, southside, look for a bicycle, which ought to be famous for its charm, tomato soup and date cake. Often has live music during the evenings.
* '''Sea restaurant''' 114 N 6th St, Brooklyn. It's a Thai food restaurant and they serve the best mojitos I've had in my life!
* '''Jackson Diner''' - Indian Food - excellent food and best Indian deal I know in the city is their weekend all you can eat buffet. It used to be $7, but I think it's up to $10 now. It's out in Jackson Heights, which is a bit out in Queens, but of course you'll be heading out to Shea Stadium, to pay your respects, anyway, right? It's right off the 7 train.
* Also, right next to Jackson Diner (literally the next restaurant over) is a Southern Indian place, for you veggie eaters out there. It's exceptional. [Note: As for good neighborhoods to go to, Queens is the most diverse county in America and worth significant investigation.]
* '''Pong Sri''' - my favorite Thai in the city, on the same block as the Baxter Nha Trang
* '''Joe's Shanghi''' - Chinese - Chinatown - sadly, the soup dumplings (their specialty) from yesterday were disappointing (first time I'd gone since getting back in the city) and I worry that an era has passed. But typically their soup dumplings are amazing, and I dislike dumplings.
* '''La Mela''' - one of last great places in Little Italy (if not the last) - make sure to include the 5th course (dessert) so you can have their frozen zabaglione
* '''Zabar's''' - right across the street from H&H, so you get your bagels there and then go to Zabar's to get stuff to put on them.
* '''Kozar's Bialys''' - the best Bialys in the city, they sell them to places (Zabar's has them packaged) but if you go down there, they pump em out 24/7 so they always have hot/fresh ones ready to go. Get it from the source.
* '''Meskerem''' - best Ethiopian in the city and one of my favorite restaraunts in the city. I suggest the Meskerem Special or the Veggetarian Special - two locations, 47th between 9th and 10th and two blocks down from Wash Sq Park
* '''Jr.'s''' - excellent Cheesecake, Brooklyn
* '''Big Nicks''' - my favorite diner in the city. Just remember, the place looks...not amazing, but they have a 24 page menue with tiny writing, and there's a lot of terrific stuff. Excellent burgers, and I love the tuna melts myself.
* '''Rice''' every kind of rice dish from many different countries that you could think of. It's dim, creative, and flavorful. Try the coconut curry over black rice with edamame. :) Several locations-my favorite is in Murray Hill.
* '''The Barking Dog Luncheonette'''- also a few locations in New York, but has hearty, big portions of good American food. Burgers, pot roast, pork chops!
* '''Liquiteria''' - Smoothies - Corner of 11th St and 2nd Ave. The healthiest and tastiest smoothies, juices, and elixirs around. Definitely stop here for a pick me up before you get some coffee.
* '''Spina''' - Italian Restaurant - Corner of 11th St and Ave B. They make their pasta noodles in the dining room fresh while you eat. The wine selection is phenomenal and the sommelier is wonderful (he's also the owner). Just ask him for a wine recommendation based on your dinner and tastes. Again, mention to Rob, Salvatore, or Jenny that Al sent you.
* '''Fu Sushi''' - Sushi - Avenue B between 11th st and 12st - Fu is a wonderful place for sushi. The chefs are detail oriented and creative. The fridge is small so they can't keep a lot of fish on the premises, so what they have is always fresh. It's a cut above any of the sushi places in the whole neighborhood.

=====Cheap Food=====
* Korean bbq and soju shots in K-town (32nd and 6th Ave).
* Bubble tea and hand-pulled noodles in a Chinatown closet sized restaurant
* Taim Falafel (meaning "tasty" in hebrew), ridiculously yummy. Its in the West Village.
* Esperanto, for a sunday brunch. Great live bossa nova music while you eat cheap & good food. Ave C at 9th street.
* Don't forget St. Marks Pl for great japanese food! Kenka or Oh Taisho! yakitori
* Blockheads- Several locations, but my favorite nights out are at 34th and 2nd Ave. Great burritos and CHEAP margaritas in all different flavors.
* Cooper 35/Asian Pub- love this place for the cheap mixed drinks, fun, college-y atmosphere, and the outside patio in the warmer weather. Try the Lychetini!
* Kathi Roll - Indian snacks, especially great after a night on the town and cheap. $4.50 a roll. around Bleeker and McDougal
* local flavor burritos at 114th and broadway are CHEAP and employ homeless shelter folks (open tues/thrus lunch)
* Nha Trang - Vietnamese - single best lunch deal in NYC. A bowl of excellent Pho Thai is $4.75. Most of the other stuff is very good too. They have two locations, one on Baxter and one on Centre, same quality. I prefer the Baxter, but the other is just as good.
* Tasty Dumpling in Chinatown http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/42260266/new_york_ny/tasty_dumpling.html
* Mamoun's Falafal - just south of Wash. Sq. Park - cheap, delicious, 24 hours
* Snack Dragon - Taco shack - 3rd St between Avenue A and Avenue B (closer to B) Open LATE. Great tacos. Fish, steak, pork, quinoa. Try the Nacharito / Johnny Boy. It's cheap, it's good, it's drunk food.

=====Vegetarian & Vegan=====
Most places in NYC offer vegetarian options, and vegan options are pretty easy to find, too. Here are some of our favorites.
* vegetarian house of dimsum on pell street
* stricty roots on 123rd has simple vegan carribian/soul food
* Kate's Joint - Vegetarian Restaurant/Bar - Corner of 4th and Ave B. Wonderful place to get vegetarian like no other. It's an unabashed reconstruction of meat foods with only vegetarian and vegan ingredients. Shepherd's Pie, buffalo wings, chimichangas, steak, "chicken" francese, not-meat loaf. It sticks to your ribs without sticking to your conscience.

=====Pizza=====
* cafe viva on 96th has HUGE slices of yummy organic piza
* Lombardi's pizzeria AND John's Pizza on Bleeker
* Grimaldi's - Best gourmet pizza in NYC, right by the Brooklyn Bridge, a lovely place for a diner on a warm winter night, so you can walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge afterwards.
* Sal & Carmine's - 102nd Broadway - Pizza - best traditional greasy NYC slice. Don't get toppings, which ain't all that. Just get a plain slice and a Sacilian slice.
* Patsy's Pizza- BEST pizza place! There are many locations in New York City, I think the location in East Harlem is the best, but the Union Square location is a close second.

=====Bagels=====
* '''Bagle Express''' 93rd and 2nd Ave. Delicious, delicious, delicious. Love bagles? Love cream cheese? Yummy!!!
* '''H&H Bagels''' of course

=====Delis=====
* 2nd Ave Deli
* Katz's Deli
* Canrnegie Deli - these delis are listed in order of preference, with the caveat, 2nd Ave closed down for over a year and then re-opened with a new lease in a new location, and some folks say it isn't as good. I probably still prefer the hot pastrami sandwich at Katz's, but otherwise 2nd is superior.

=====Dessert=====
* Cupcakes! Billy's Bakery on 9th Ave and 21st or Buttercup Bakery
* the city bakery on 18th & 5th is a great local spot for hot chocolate and cookies
* Hungarian pastry on 113th and Manhattan Avenue I believe that's really amazing.
* Cones in The Village for the best ice cream in the city. http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/11512502/new_york_ny/cones.html
* Beard Papa's for the best cream puff and export the Japanese brought to NYC - 2167 Broadway (believe it's somewhere between 72nd and 83rd)
* Rice To Riches (rice pudding)
* best carrot cake in the world is at a little place called LLoyd's. 6087 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10471
* Viniero's - best Italian pastry shop in the city.
* Hungarian Pastry Shop - 113th, Columbia neighborhood, nice little place to get work done. They just expanded too, so maybe it won't be so damn crowded. It's a good place to meet up, when it's cold outside, nice and toasty inside.
* Sicilian pastry shop on 1st Ave @ 11th street called De Robertis Pasticceria. Still family run and much better than Veniero's.
* Chikalicious- Dessert Bar on the lower east side- so tasty, so tiny, so fun! 203 E 10th St

====Dumpster Diving====
In Manhattan you can do some great dumpster diving. One spot for that is at the Food Emporium of 83rd Street and 3rd Ave. You might be able to organize a big feast there. But be careful: dumpster diving was criminalized under the so-called quality of life initiatives.

[http://freegan.info/?page_id=2 Freegan.info: Events & Resources]

[http://gridskipper.com/61214/manhattan-dumpster-diving Dumpster Map]

=== Local links ===
[[:csgroup:2372|CS group]] - [[:wikipedia:New York|Wikipedia]] - [[:wikitravel:New York|Wikitravel]]

==Medical Information==

===Hospitals===
[http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/html/facilities/map.shtml Map with a list of all NYC hospitals.]

===LifeNet Crisis Helpline===
*English: 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638)
*Spanish: 1-877-AYUDESE (1-877-298-3373)
*Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean dialects: 1-877-990-8585
*All other languages: 1-800-LIFENET (1-800-543-3638)

===National Suicide Prevention Lifeline===
Call the [http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline] at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you.
* Spanish: 1-888-628-9454
* For Hearing and Speech Impaired with TTY Equipment: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

===Substance Abuse Hotline===
For information on substance abuse treatment, call 1-800-662-HELP.

===Poison Hotline===
National Poison Hotline
1-800-222-1222

===Walk-In Clinics===
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=walk+in+clinic&ns=1&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY

===Couchsurfing Doctors===
Are you a doctor and a member of CS who is interested in helping travelers? Add a link to your profile here.

===Free Medical Services===

====NYC Dept of Health====
STD testing and emergency contractraception.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/std/std2.shtml

====Women's Health Free Clinic====
STD testing & treatment, emergency contraceptive, gyn exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, medical abortions. [http://nycfreeclinic.med.nyu.edu/womens-health-free-clinic]

====New York City Free Clinic====
primary care, women & men's health, vaccinations, STD testing & treatment, lab work, radiology
[http://nycfreeclinic.med.nyu.edu/information-for-patients/health-services]

====NYC Condoms====
Available at bars, colleges, restaurants, medical centers, etc.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/condoms/condoms.shtml

===Sexual Assault===

====RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline====
Anonymous, confidential counseling from trained volunteers.
http://apps.rainn.org/ohl-bridge/
1-800-656-HOPE

====If You Have Been Raped in the Past 96 Hours Emergency Guide====
List of hospitals with special training for survivors of sexual assault.
http://www.nycagainstrape.org/survivors_emergency.html

====Emergency Contraception for Rape Survivors====
Information on where to get emergency contraception in several languages.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/women/emergency_contr.htm
1-800-522-5006

====NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault====
Legal resources, survivor resources, how to press charges, what to do if you do not want to press
charges, fact sheets.
http://www.nycagainstrape.org/survivors.html

====RAINN Resources====
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information Information on Sexual Assault]
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention Ways to Reduce your Risk of Sexual Assault]
*[http://www.rainn.org/get-information/legal-information Reporting the Crime to the Police]

====NYC Crime Victims Board====
Assistance and compensation for crime victims.
http://www.cvb.state.ny.us/helpforcrimevictims/helpforcrimevictims.aspx
1-800-247-8035

==Legal Resources for Travelers==

===Visa Information===
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

===Consulates in New York City===
http://gonyc.about.com/od/foreignvisitorstonyc/a/foreign_consula.htm

===Travelers Aid===
JFK International Airport, Terminal 6, Jamaica, NY 11430
http://www.travelersaid.org/ta/jfk.html
(718) 656-4870

===Fraud Prevention===
(Guidance note: This may not be available/applicable for all cities/CS localities, but something to consider. It may require further investigation to dig up any information. If you can find any for your area or even a generic national helpline for your country, then this is the place to list it.)

===Immigration Advisory Services===
'''CUNY Citizenship Now!''' provides free, high quality, and confidential citizenship and immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. For free immigration assistance, see the website at [http://cuny.edu/about/resources/citizenship/about-us/contact.html] or call their Manhattan office (212) 650-6620.

===Legal Advice===

Hopefully one should never need it, but there are resources in NYC for free legal consultation, at least at initial stages.

====New York City Bar====
Law clinic and legal hotline.
http://www.nycbar.org/LRS/ActivitiesandServices.htm

====List of free legal aid organizations in New York State====
http://www.usattorneylegalservices.com/free-legal-aid-new-york.html

===CouchSurfing Lawyers===
Are you a lawyer and a CSer interested in assisting travelers? Add a link to your profile here.

==Your Local CS Ambassadors==

===Manhattan===
* Anthony, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/ajcut7/
* Barak, New York City Ambassador: http://www.myspace.com/zionist
* Chi Chi, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/profile.html?id=2IG3VP0
* Juan, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/the_juanderer/
* Katemari, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/katemari/
* Krista, Traveling Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/kristasande/
* Michael, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/modirsaghir/
* Nicky, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/nicky.pallas
* Seth, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/sethnick99/

===Brooklyn===
* Cori, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/sheepdontswim/
* Joe, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/joe%20che
* Kym, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/thejazzgurl/
* Courtney, Brooklyn City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/cookiecat/

===Queens===
* Cris, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/grasshoper/
* JC, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/jtothec/
* Mabel, Woodside City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/koala75/
* Nelson, New York City Ambassador: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/hacn/

===Nomadic===
* George: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/gc21/
* Krista: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/kristasande/
* Taly and Zohar: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/zoharandtaly/
* Timmy: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/timmy_tofu/
* Timothy: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/tadhg1979/

===US Ambassadors===
* http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/United_States_Ambassadors