Hospitality Exchange in Boston

Hospitality Exchange in Boston.

In September 1999 I visited Boston again for a medical conference. I made a hospitality exchange arrangement.

Although I was sold on simultaneous home exchange a disappointing aspect was the fact that you did not see you home exchange partners for more than a few hours. It would be much better to stay in someone's home in Boston than a hotel, have the benefit of their conversation and local knowledge which would allow me to learn more about the city. I would also have the pleasure of giving them hospitality in England.

I was unable to make an arrangement through an agency, I therefore modified my Web Site with details of what I had to offer and e-mailed the Boston Globe with a classified:

England. Surgeon visiting Boston end of September would like to trade one weeks accommodation for use of holiday cottage in the Malvern Hills in central England (car included). If you have a spare room in Boston and would like a vacation in England look at my web page for details. http:\\www.my web address.'

The ad cost $220 which was about the cost of a night's hotel room in central Boston so I felt I hadn't gambled that much. I was going to the conference whether I got an exchange or not.

A few days later I received an e-mail from Maureen. She had home exchanged before and was looking for somewhere in Italy with her two nieces. However after seeing my web site she had thought my offer sounded OK. I replied with a phone call and the deal was made.

I went out 4 days before the conference and used Maureen's spare room in her apartment in Boston. She plans to come to England and use our house for a vacation with her nieces form Italy.

Apart from the conference my visit to Boston had been enriched by staying with her and the local information she had given me.

As for cost. I arrived in Boston 4 days before the conference, had I stayed in a hotel I would probably arrive the day before and stayed 6 nights. This would have cost me $220 per night. Thus taking the cost of the ad in the Boston Globe into consideration I saved about £750

We are looking forward to giving Maureen hospitality in England when she comes with her two nieces.

Friends Reunited Update October 2005

Well six years have passed and Maureen has never come to England for her half of the bargain. So in October I called her when visiting Boston again. Here we are after dinner at 'Skipjacks' with Gareth a friend from England (left) and Maralyn (right). Maybe we will persuade her to come yet.

Australia

Maureen lived in a 'Brown Stone' near the conference centre I was visiting

She got me tickets to see the 'Red Sox'

and took me to Cambridge to see Harvard

For $5 you could go to the observation floor in the Hancocks Tower

I walked the freedom trail with one of my English colleagues who was at the conference, here on Boston common