There are a lot of ways you can save money when you travel. My husband and I generally camp whenever possible as it has been a cheap way for us to get to see a lot of places. However, some friends of ours recently introduced us to an organization called Mennonite Your Way. They had gone to the U.S. for a vacation and they stayed with people who open up their homes to travelers. Not only did they save a lot of money by not having to stay in hotels, but they also had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people.
Mennonite Your Way is not strictly for Mennonites, in case you were wondering. According to their website, it’s a hospitality network for Christians. They have created a directory of over 1700 hosts in approximately 60 countries and for a donation you can get a copy of the directory. Then, you can contact the hosts located in your area of travel and make arrangements with them directly. The whole purpose is to encourage fellowship with folks from all over the world. On top of that, it makes traveling a whole lot cheaper as well.
For folks who are interested in obtaining a directory, the suggested donation is $35 for non-hosts and $20 for hosts. Travelers are recommended to give their hosts $10 per night per adult and an extra $2 each if breakfast is provided. Some hosts may not accept your gift, but it’s a good idea to offer it. It is also recommended that you bring a small gift to give to your hosts such as a jar of jam or something else that is locally made in your area. According to our friends, most of the hosts are in their 50s and 60s.
If you are interested in learning more about Mennonite Your Way, check out www.mennoniteyourway.com
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I have friends who have enjoyed this way of travel. I attended a Mennonite Church in Edmonton for many years and really loved it. I am now living on Vancouver Island and trying to find a place to stay in West Vancouver April 2nd 3rd and 4th and wondering if you have any connections there