Update October 2024. I know I’m living most of the time in Medellin Colombia. On my third visit here I decided that this is my favorite place in the world. I am struggling with Spanish, , I am overwhelmed by the natural beauty, the culture, the customs and the people. My home is an apartment with the most amazing view of this beautiful city in a neighborhood just outside Laureles, pedestrian friendly with virtually all services within short walking distance. It’s a loud and busy city. Its heart is beating fast.

Rural Colombia is a wonderful contrast to this urban environment. Never in 1000 years would I have envisioned myself living in a city again but here I am. I presently don’t have great accommodations for others unless you are pretty independent or are packing your own bed. I have two couches, but you’d have to be quite small to sleep comfortably on them. Perhaps by the time you are here, I will have another bed.

Update January 2024. Traveling. I may start surfing. Traveling in an RV. Heading to the Southwest from Florida. Always like making new friends.

I began participating with Couchsurfing in 2013 after my nephew “surfed” in his way from West Virginia here to give me a very beautiful SunBank solar hot water heater which he distributes.

I love to travel, but I am an entrepreneur with several small businesses starting “play time” and still haven’t perfected the transition to enjoy fully my new freedoms . I didn’t know this initially but I have learned that by hosting surfers I replace some of the need to travel as culture comes to me. One of the very few things that is good in social networking, in my opinion, is the ability to meet others whom I would otherwise never meet. I have a curiosity and fascination with the experiences of others. The human spirit and the human experience to me is “heaven” on earth. Those who do not attend to our human experience may find a void after death where there is not even the ability to have remorse for the failure to maximize experience, sensation, emotion, empathy, pleasure, joy, connection.

I like sharing some of the beautiful parts of my life in Southwest Florida with others. It’s a great area if you like sun, salt water, shells blah blah.

If you stay with me you will likely have to put up with many stories, I do love to talk, I also am a capable listener. I prefer verbal communication to electronic anytime. I avoid all but minimal non commercial TV. Music is one of my loves; singing and dance extends music’s emotional expressions.

I enjoy eating delicious food, attempting to create delicious food, friends, family, learning, listening to and making music, learning, laughter, art, beauty , photography, gadgets and things with motors.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I get to meet people I would otherwise never get to know. I have formed what I hope to be lifelong relationships with several of the many surfers I have met over the years.

I am not here to provide temporary or emergency housing. There may be another app for that, maybe Air BnB, but for me not here. Couchsurfing is more of a cultural experience, not free housing.

Interests

• writing
• singing
• dancing
• cooking
• wine
• walking
• motorcycles
• aviation
• boating
• reading
• traveling
• cars
• painting
• music
• piano
• hiking
• windsurfing
• beaches
• art
• food
• sun
• water
• kites
• excercise
• interesting people
• fast cars
• drone photography

Music, Movies, and Books

Music that is beautiful is beautiful. I grew up in a generation with some of the best music ever. I play a little piano and have been a finger percussionist all my life. Favorite artists: Kieth Jarrett, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Carlos Santana, John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Martha and the Vandellas (Heat Wave), Aretha, Stevie Wonder, most any Motown, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dua Lipa, Ceelo Greden.... ok there are so many more. I turn off “music” with vile or degrading language. America may not be great anymore but there is no country in the world that comes close to having created such incredible music as our country has.

I read many hours every day, mostly periodicals: financial / business / economic / political / human interest and achievement stories.

I find that most movies today are garbage. I miss movies that were thought provoking, inspirational, and frequently left you imagining an outcome. There likely are many movies that are very good today that I miss, I just hate wasting my time watching a screen full of nothing. Favorite movies: West Side Story, Cool Hand Luke, the Godfather movies, anything with Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks or Leonardo DiCaprio; Forest Gump, Wolf of Wall Street.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I’ve been lucky

Teach, Learn, Share

I believe in personal responsibility. I’m not going to be able to figure it out for you, I can barely figure it out for myself :-). Honesty is the foundation for all relationships of meaning in my life. I dispense advice freely: take it all with a grain of salt, I have no monopoly on knowing what is the right decision for every situation. I have however failed miserably at many points in my life and have learned many things from my mistakes. I like to say I have my PhD from the school of hard knocks.

Giving, sharing, encouraging and constructive criticism are in my nature. It is likely that if I am not that way with someone, they have failed to impress me with their honesty or their basic human respect or false self perception.

What I Can Share with Hosts

It’s possible I could show you a good time. My home is comfortable as I hope I am as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Spain, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Colombia, Spain, United States