🚀 go-pugleaf

I received the following mail today. As it seems as kind of an extension
of the Relay idea I thought I share it.

                                        Matthias

P.S.: Cross-posted to RELUSR-L



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Re: Hospitality Exchange Database HOSPEX

In June 1991, a new list/database came to life at the PLEARN.BITNET
node under the name of HOSPEX@PLEARN.  It has been created to:

   1. Provide those interested in being a host to network visitors
      a way to satisfy their interests.
   2. For those interested in finding hosts when travelling.

HOSPEX is growing with an average rate of three new members per week.
Members are typically faculty, staff, administrators, and students--
but we don't restrict membership to these groups only.  HOSPEX was
originally created to serve as a means for exchanges between academics
and students to further professional relationships between both.
However, it has developed into a net-wide database for travellers
interested in homestay exchanges (or just free places to stay while
travelling).  We currently have hosts in over 25 countries, and on
six continents.

HOSPEX has proven to be a source of new friendships and experiences
for both hosts and guests alike (the roles change when a host travels
and becomes the guest, or a guest becomes a host).

Typically, travellers will stay with hosts for only a few days, then
move on to their next destination.  Some hosts expect their guests to
share the costs incurred during their visit i.e. food, phone calls,
etc.  These arrangements should be discussed in advance.  Also, guests
should *ALWAYS* contact potential hosts in advance (via e-mail).
Guests cannot just appear at someone's door unannounced.

So, subscribe to HOSPEX@PLEARN.BITNET and get ready to find free
and/or cheap lodgings when you travel.  Get ready to make new
friends with people from cultures different from your own.  Get
ready for pleasant adventures.  It doesn't matter that you only
have floor space available, or as much as six bedrooms, or just
a place for a tent in your backyard, all types of possible
accommodations are acceptable.

To subscribe, issue the standard "SUBSCRIBE HOSPEX <your full
name>" command to LISTSERV@PLEARN.  You'll be sent a host's form
to be filled out and returned to HOSPEX@PLEARN.  Only then will you
be considered a member of HOSPEX and get added to the HOSPEX and
HOSPEX-L lists, and will have the right to search through the
HOSPEX database for possible hosts.  This subscription procedure
is partly manual (your form will be edited), so it may take a few
days sometimes before you are added to the database.  With the
host form you describe yourself, the type of accommodations you
have, languages you speak, restrictions, requests, etc.  When the
file is created listing your personal information, other HOSPEX
members, before traveling, will look through all the host forms
from the countries in which they will be travelling to find a host
that seems interesting.

A HOST FORM IS MANDATORY.

If you have any questions,
please address them to HOSPEX@PLEARN.BITNET