People I enjoy…
Yes,
traveling can sometimes be hard to overcome, however, when i was I traveling and meet people like me; who’re surfing and hosting (roughly in the same number), mostly they all said the same thing that ‘hosting’ actually harder than just surfing.
Why? because as we surfing, when we find difficult to deal with our host attitude, can not blend with their
culture, hard to mix their time arrangement, impossible to adjust with the facilities provided and disappointed with the entertainment offered, as long we have lots of ‘back up host(s)’, we can ‘check-out’ whenever we want and go to the next ‘list(s)’, or else, just check-in in the cheapest hotels nearby.
With hosting, we have to consider lots of thing just for approving one request;
start from schedule arrangement, accommodation preparation, security awareness and even budget etc, etc
Without couch(ers) or hosts, anyone can stay in lots of hotels and/or even get accommodation in other ways; tent, bus station, airport lounge, you name it!
No need hosts, we can get in to our sack where-when-how ever we want.
But, once one surfers/guest said bad reference/comment, then the chances of people turned our name out is so easily affected, just by ONE single negative comment.
This is also one of the spirit that “Arms Wide Open” brings; giving chances for all of us; ‘traveler/surfer’ to make host(s) confidence opening their doors.
I also believe, it is the personal ‘welcome’ need to be spread, encouraged, collectively supported and continuously maintained.
Because spirits to travel are there since centuries, but the spirit of ‘open
arms’ still waiting to be explored.
On other hand, countless travelers didn’t even bother to read their ‘future’
host profile, sending sms out of schedules’, even leave without saying a word.
Worst! soon knocked off, some surfer intend to be too busy with traveling schedules until don’t even remember to write any reference for me, i only have..”Arms wide Open”
The Doors
Most of the time I’ve been hosting and receiving guests; it has been a great experience for me. To assist you about my place, please read the information below.
Destination
We are a common Christian family
which lives peacefully in a country of the highest population of Moslems in the
whole world. It happens that we also live in majority of non Moslems area which
allows us to easily get Non-Halal food, Alcohol (liquor shops) and let our dogs
roam around the neighborhood.
Out area is not a central business
spot in the town, it is the resident area.
Still, Jakarta that we live in, is the country’s
metropolitan city, which where you should not expect too much of traditional
and historical sight seeing.
In the other hand, you are in the
right spot to prepare or to get everything you need that you may NOT get
from other city and islands in Indonesia before or after your journey.
The most important case is the
FLIGHT CONNECTIONS between islands in the country may only be able to be reach
from this city. Post offices are easy to find. Travel agent for flights, train,
and bus, they are plenty. Large shopping malls are near. Hospitals that meet
your International travel insurance network are more likely to be only here in Jakarta than anywhere
else in the country. And of course, Embassies to deal with your visa are in
this town too.
Place
In some seasons (especially summer)
I might have several guests in range of time that need accommodation too.
Before I rent a space of my own I used to host my guest at my parent house (mom)
which is only 10 minutes driving from my current house.
Now, when I have my house full for
guest I still transfer my guest to my mom. Who will be at mine and who going to
my mom’s is really depending on the availability…soon you will know; when I
drop you off at my mom’s, then I must have someone staying at my place or I
might need to go somewhere traveling.
In my daily, especially when I have
my guest, I always visit my mom in the spare time of between my kids’ pick-up
school schedule… So, not to worries, I won’t just dump you there and left you
abandoned 
Space
At my parent we have several big
rooms to use. My mom prefers female guest or couple as it’s easier for her to
blend with, somehow in previous record, some of single man travelers get along
very well too.
In my house, not only the rooms are
small. I have my kids roam around too. You must protect your ears on their
fighting and screaming time.
In both place, if we running out of
room, basically you able to use the couch and the other whole space in the lounge
room. For this, you might have to consider bringing your own mosquito-net; or
else, we can always provide you mosquito repellant lotion which always works
even for Indonesian numb skin.
Facilities
At my place; all meals, drinks (non/alcohol) and most of
the things in the fridge are invited. I have internet connection both by LAN
and wireless. If you bring your own laptop you don’t have to wait your turn to
use my kids PC in their room.
At
my mom, she cooks very good typical Indonesian food. In most of the time, even
before you ask her for tea, she already provides you. Mom doesn’t have internet
connection but she regularly buy tons of different name of business newspaper
(she’s doing stock market), but if you need Internet, you will always come into
my place.
Activities
I’m
a ‘working from home’ single mom which living part-time with my partner and
kids, sometimes friends or family comes over. Although I still love to go out
partying for sometimes but basically, I’m busy with the normal life.
But
don’t worry; I will give you local directions or other useful information and
helpful arrangement for you to roam around my town by yourself without bringing
your lonely planet guide book. Still, I will need to remind you to be
independent for everything else as well.
Transfers
After
you have SERIOUSLY confirmed you’re coming, with fixed schedule or
well-informed changes, there is ALWAYS possibility for me to pick you up from
airport or nearest Bus or train station. However I will send you map of
directions to my places and how to get the easiest way to reach me. Incase I
was occupied; you may find your own way to get to our place.
Leaving
Verbal
‘Thank You’ is not necessary but reference, comments, recommendation my profile
will shown a gratitude, else I expect a direct complaint as soon you feel
uncomfortable while staying in my place, so we wont have misunderstanding and I
can help to look for another suitable host for you in Jakarta..
The Place
We are a common Christian family which lives peacefully in a country of the highest population of Moslems in the whole world.
However, for Moslem guests, they should consider that in our place we drink alcohol (beers are always in the fridge!) and our 3 dogs freely roam around the house.
Sometimes sibling and cousin come to stay over. Sometimes my mom visit and cook for us on the weekend (which I wish everyday).
Availabilities
This place is 99% AVAILABLE at anytime, we have spare bedrooms also couch-bed, and of course we allow people to sleep on the floor if they bring own sleeping bag.
After you READ MY PROFILE, send me a request, I prefer directly email me with your member name, I will inform u immediately about my schedule in case u probably hit the 1% chance not to have any space.
Numbers:
I live with my children, partner, my cousin:Uli and 3 dogs, sometimes parent & siblings 
But don’t worry, I have no Maximum number of guest and days. Its really depend on the guests willingness to share, how far i can hold to be sick and tired with the guest attitude and how crowded them to be handle.
Facilities
At my place; all meals, drinks (non/alcohol) and most of the things in the fridge are invited.I have internet connection both by LAN and wireless. If you bring your own laptop you don’t have to wait your turn to use my kids PC in their room.
Sleeping place I can offer:
space on the floor, mattress, sofa, bed, separate room, (your own sleeping bag:P), or a very Cheap Guest House nearby.
Requirements and Restrictions:
Im a CHAIN SMOKER so most of the house space is SMOKING AREA! Wait, i said most! means NOT ALL of space. You can sticked in your room or sit outside like any other non-smoking host asked me to do:)
First, WE WASH WITH WATER, if you use TOILET PAPER don’t throw it in the toilet. I use that stuff too whenever it should be,Here, i’m telling you; our TOILET IS NOT DESIGNED FOR your PAPER, so keep the rest of your paper in plastic bags and dump it somewhere far away from my place which i don’t want to know.
We are beer lover – you may bring something typical from any place you come from to start full fill -ing our collections 
Im NOT sorry to say, NO SEX or any kind form of sexual passionate cuddling and smoochy-smoochy around my place.
I have extremely curios kids at home who will asked me “what is this, mom?” when they found your left over condoms in the room, and they are too young to understand my complicated explanation. This rule DO NOT APPLY to your partner (girl/boy friend, fiance/e’) with whom you come/arrive with. It’s ONLY APPLY to Non-Guests women/male you bring out of my house
and to my friends who are visit/staying-ing in my house and/or towards my family member. If you insist, feel free to ask me, i can tell common places to look for them plus hostels where you can do it. You can trust us, me and especially my partner are expert in this infos ^_^
If you run out glasses and other clean household things you need, look at the sink and wash all collected stuff, that is how to do your (all) dishes; Is to wait until the sink are full and wash them in one time, its in order for us to save water, but not to wait somebody to do it for you.
Hug then follow with kiss both cheek is a common culture in our family.
But if you too stinky to do it, just shakes (right) hand (softly) and smile to anyone (especially to my mom , coz she’s the queen of the house) and it will also shown a respect (e.g to my cousin and brother) to whoever around you.