It's Christmas day already in NZ (for my friends and family it's a day earlier), and I have many thanks to give. To my friends and family who support me and showed me so much love especially just before I left to come here: I'm thinking of you now and so glad that I you'll be there when I return. If you're reading this because I asked you too, it means so much to me. Happy holidays!
I also need to give thanks to many people I've never met who sent their love and support to the Collective. Everyone here feels a responsibility toward the many CouchSurfers who have supported us with donations and towards all members who make the network great. We all want to work to make CouchSurfing better. However, some here question whether the Collective is a good use of those donations.
We don't spend money frivolously or on any unreasonable luxuries, but we could have saved money by going to a less beautiful location, a smaller house further from town, or by buying only rice and beans to eat. We could work 16 hour days. We could do more for less. Should we have another Collective after this one? Or should small groups working simultaneously around the globe suffice? How much fun and convenience do we who are working here deserve? These are important questions I can't answer. I can just say that I feel that we are very lucky to be here, but that we are doing good here. I am so grateful.
We have received several postcards of support from members around the world. They've all really touched us. They're hanging up on our mantle. Here's a sample of what people have written:
Awesome People of CouchSurfing Collective:
LIVE IT
LOVE IT
RESPECT IT
Aloha! Kia Ora! Go you good things go! Hope everybody is exceptionally well. So stoked you managed to find the gem that Nelson is. I grew up iin Golden Bay and have fully enjoyed the many benefits/experiences that CS has offered me this past year. I'm in Hawaii but will be home in early December and will be knocking on your door! Keep up all the great work. I can't wait to come and help. Everything you do is worth it.
[anonymous]
A couple of weeks ago, we received a care package of many delicious snacks and Earl Grey Tea that I had been craving without realizing it for days. That package from an anonymous benefactor made me so happy. Here's another:
Dear CouchSurfing Team,
We want to thank you for all your hard work in putting together & running such a wonderful service. You've made it so easy for us to meet new people and we've had so much fun with our guests and hosts alike.
We've been singing the praises of CouchSurfing to everyone who'll stay still long enough to listen!
Keep up the good work chaps!!
Merry Christmas and happy new year
Best wishes from [----]
Birmingham, UK
Of course, these cards weren't sent to
me. They were sent from people who don't know me and have no idea of I'm doing anything for CouchSurfing or trying to spend its money wisely. They were sent by people like me who felt that this service gave them experiences and were moved to say so.
It's not a sacrifice for me to be here. It's something I'm lucky to get to do. It's as much retreat as it is volunteer work. I hope that I do something lasting that makes people happier.
We watched "The World's Fastest Indian" the night before last. A feel-good movie set in New Zealand made in 2005 that seems like it was made in 1985. Watching the movie reminded me of a story that my friends, the Wendies, told me about reading a book about Burning Man while at Burning Man. It's laughably absurd.
