https://youtu.be/GREPY3xn8zs?si=mF5UKVSFsYhT29jZ

Please read every part of my profile. It’s real important. For example, this apartment cannot cope with the liability involved with me having Couchsurfer’s. People can have guests, yet the apartment is scared of being sued. My Apartment plays it safe by keeping strong boundaries around which type of guest a person can have. We can work around these parts of my rental contract by going below the radar, me giving you a fob to get in and out, us meeting outside the apartment and you not saying anything to anyone. It sounds tight. It’s really easy, actually. .I work around the limits and meet you outside the apartment grounds before bringing you into the apartment, for example. I can get removed from the apartment if anyone finds out you are here with me. I beg people, I beg you, to not have anything to do with the business office, or the people who live here .Dont ask them for help getting inside. Do not ask people at the Walton Westside who live where I live for anything. Please. I cannot stress this enough . I don’t want to have to move again. The business office is located right next to the Chatahoochie Coffee ☕️ Shop. Please make sure to pay for something to stay at the coffee shop, too. That’s what they ask everyone to do. I’m extra scared that someone will get me busted and then I’ll have to leave. I really need you all to understand how people not sticking by these house guidelines is. Please stay in touch with me via cell phone /what’s app/this couchsurfing page. I will do everything I can in order to make your stay as positive as possible if you will please respect these boundaries. I had to ask someone to leave because she went into the business office because she would not just be patient and wait and go to Starbucks and wait for me. I’m putting myself at risk by having Couchsurfer’s. I need your help. I need it badly.

Couchsurfing offers a unique opportunity to connect with new people while exploring different cultures. It is more than just finding a place to sleep; it is about sharing experiences, stories, and kindness. Welcoming guests into my home creates lasting bonds and fosters understanding among individuals from various backgrounds. Therefore, ensuring a positive and respectful environment is essential for a successful Couchsurfing experience.

https://www.tiktok.com/@coltkirwan/video/7159637332537249066

A warm and inviting atmosphere is crucial when hosting guests. You have your own room. Clear communication sets the tone for the visit and helps create mutual respect. For instance, I share house rules and guidelines, such as cleanliness expectations and privacy considerations, to ensure that everyone feels comfortable.

Guests who take the time to read and follow these rules show consideration and help maintain a friendly environment. This approach encourages open minds and positive interactions.

Moreover, it is essential to prioritize guests who align with my personal values. I prefer to welcome individuals who share similar political views or demonstrate a commitment to kindness and empathy. This creates a home where everyone can feel safe and understood. Guests who show appreciation for the opportunity to stay and engage in meaningful conversations contribute to a more enriching experience for both parties.

Additionally, mutual respect and shared responsibilities can strengthen the bond between hosts and guests. Engaging in simple acts of kindness, like helping with chores or walking my dog, can create a sense of community. These small gestures not only lighten the load for me but also encourage guests to feel more integrated into the household. When guests actively participate in maintaining a clean and pleasant space, it fosters a harmonious environment.

In conclusion, Couchsurfing is about connection, kindness, and cultural exchange. By establishing clear expectations, welcoming guests who align with my personal values, and encouraging shared responsibilities, a positive and respectful experience can be achieved. Embracing this philosophy makes every stay memorable and meaningful. Therefore, it is important to create an atmosphere where everyone feels valued and inspired to share their stories.

🦄🦋Always have a back up host in case something does not work out. 🦄🦋

“Couchsurfing Etiquette Guide” -(straight from the Internet)-

1. Why Etiquette Matters
Couchsurfing is not a free hotel; it is a trust-based cultural exchange. A guest who treats the stay as a transaction erodes that trust, while a thoughtful guest strengthens the global hosting network and earns references that unlock future stays

[2] (https://uncloggedblog.com/2013/02/01/six-habits-of-highly-effective-couchsurfers/).

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2. Communication Tips - Before, During, After the Stay
1. Personalised request
- Reference the host’s profile and explain why you want to meet them, not just crash on their sofa [1] (https://theawkwardtraveller.com/couchsurfing-guest-tips/).
2. Confirm logistics early
- Share arrival time, transport method, and contingency plan for delays. Always have a back up host in case it does not work for some reason with the host you have now. If you stay at my place, NEVER interact with the people in the business office or let anyone know that you are staying here. That’s an incredibly vital house rule. Please do not hesitate to go to Starbucks if you cannot get inside my apartment for internet or something. I apologize right now if that happens. Sometimes my phone is on silent and I’m completely unaware. Please call the emergency phone numbers ( numbers of my mother, Linda and father, Frank ) in case am somehow difficult to reach and cannot communicate with you. . I cannot stress this enough. Update immediately if plans change [2] (https://uncloggedblog.com/2013/02/01/six-habits-of-highly-effective-couchsurfers/).
3. Discuss expectations
- Clarify house rules

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, [(such as to never ever to walk into the business office where I live or talk to people where I live. Because no one can know you are couchsurfing with me or I will be told to leave my own home. Never ever talk to them or ask where my apartment is or anything. Please. )We can talk more about this when you arrive if you like.) Please let me know about any difficulties you have with anonymity.].

No smoking or vaping or hookah anywhere in the apartment or on property. This is a smoke free property inside and out, even in the downstairs coffee shop and at The Goat 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 Farm.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Mid-stay check-ins
- A quick “Is there anything I can help with today?” or “Do you need the living room back by a certain hour?” keeps small issues from festering.
5. Post-stay follow-up
- Send a thank-you message and submit your reference within 48 h; hosts hate chasing guests for feedback [3] (https://blog.couchsurfing.com/community-post-how-to-be-a-good-couchsurfing-guest-and-host/).

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3. Practical Ways to Help Your Host
• Bring consumables: coffee beans, fresh fruit, or a small treat from your hometown. Many hosts politely refuse cash but appreciate a surprise of useful groceries [4] (https://glamgranolatravel.com/5-commandments-couchsurfing/).
• Surprise your host and Cook meals and handle the dishes. In one Atlanta stay, only one of three surfers helped a host prepare and clean up a pizza dinner; that surfer earned a glowing reference while the others were remembered as freeloaders [3] (https://blog.couchsurfing.com/community-post-how-to-be-a-good-couchsurfing-guest-and-host/).
• Offer to cover fuel/parking if the host drives you around, or refill transit cards (see Breeze Card below).
• Leave the space better than you found it—vacuum, fold blankets, use all chemicals previded, sweep, clean all of your bathroom well, mop, empty the trash. Even buy another cleaner that may not be provided for you.

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4. Cultural Exchange Ethics
1. Reciprocity, not payment
- Share stories, language, recipes, or skills; those intangibles are the “currency” of Couchsurfing [2] (https://uncloggedblog.com/2013/02/01/six-habits-of-highly-effective-couchsurfers/).
2. Respect boundaries
- Some hosts enjoy deep conversation; others value privacy. Mirror their cues. Either way, say “thank you” and mean it. Say “Please” and mean it. Just help out and doge even ask for permission to help out.

3. Avoid cultural tourism clichés
- Ask open-ended questions (“What’s a tradition you wish more visitors understood?”) rather than treating the host as a free tour guide.
4. Leave honest references
- A balanced review—highlighting both positives and any safety concerns—protects the community and builds credibility.

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5. Breeze Card: Why It Matters for Couchsurfers in Atlanta
The Breeze Card is Atlanta’s reloadable fare medium for all MARTA trains, buses, and the streetcar. Buying (or reloading) a card on arrival achieves three Couchsurfing wins:
1. Self-sufficiency: You can reach the host without requiring a pick-up—a small but meaningful courtesy.
2. Gift potential: Register an extra Breeze Ticket day pass ($11) and hand it to your host so they can join you on an outing; it’s a practical “thank-you” that costs less than dinner out [5] (https://www.breezecard.com/visitor_pass.aspx).
3. Sustainability talking point: Using transit aligns with Couchsurfing’s low-impact travel ethos, sparking conversations about local mobility and urban life [6] (https://itsmarta.com/how-to-guide.aspx).

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6. How to Earn Positive Reviews
Hosts consistently praise surfers who:
• Communicate clearly and show up on time [1] (https://theawkwardtraveller.com/couchsurfing-guest-tips/).
• Contribute to household chores or expenses in proportion to their stay [3] (https://blog.couchsurfing.com/community-post-how-to-be-a-good-couchsurfing-guest-and-host/).
• Share meaningful interaction rather than treating the host’s home as a free hostel [2] (https://uncloggedblog.com/2013/02/01/six-habits-of-highly-effective-couchsurfers/).

Case study – The Atlanta pizza night
• Three surfers stayed with a host who offered separate bedrooms and pool access.
• Only one guest proposed splitting the grocery bill and helped cook; the host later highlighted that surfer’s initiative in their reference, while the other two received lukewarm feedback [3] (https://blog.couchsurfing.com/community-post-how-to-be-a-good-couchsurfing-guest-and-host/).

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7. Gratitude & Respect Checklist

| Moment | Action | Why it matters |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arrival | Text “Landed, see you in 30 min”; bring a small gift | Signals reliability and appreciation |
| Daily | Offer help, tidy shared spaces | Reduces host’s workload |
| Outings | Buy a coffee/metro ticket for host | Tangible reciprocity |
| Departure | Strip bed, clean bathroom, write thank-you note | Leaves lasting good impression |
| 24 h later | Submit detailed positive reference | Boosts host’s reputation |

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Key Takeaways
1. Treat Couchsurfing as a human exchange, not a free stay.
2. Clear, proactive communication is the foundation of trust.
3. Small acts—cooking dinner, topping up a Breeze Card—translate directly into positive references.
4. Gratitude shown in both deeds and words ensures the community remains welcoming for the next traveller—possibly you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My friend in my apartment building introduced me to couch surfing and my older brother who used to live in a penthouse in San Francisco & go to Burning Man & loved couch 🌊 surf 🏄 ing.

I truly love ❤️ meeting positive people and animals. I like to give to people in Society. I like making new friends and spending time with new people and learning to cook new dishes and showing people around Atlanta and sharing my Atlanta knowledge of 44 years living in Atlanta.

Interests

To confirm that you have read my entire profile carefully, please include this exact sentence when you message me:

“Love was an incredibly awesome dog.” 🐕‍🦺🐾🐾🐾

Including this helps me know we are on the same page and that you took the time to read everything thoughtfully.

When requesting to stay, please also confirm that you have a COVID-19 vaccination card available to show upon arrival. I truly appreciate that level of responsibility and care. Thank you!

Hosting brings me healthy joy. I began hosting because transportation limitations made volunteer work difficult for me to access. Couchsurfing became a meaningful way to give back, meet people from around the world, and create positive experiences here in Atlanta. My goal is simple: to be a warm, respectful, and positive part of your time .

🧼 Cleanliness & Shared Responsibility

I kindly ask that guests actively contribute to keeping the space clean during and after their stay.

Since I do not have a cleaning service, and no one is paid to clean after guests, I ask that you please:
• Clean up hair in the bathroom (especially after showering)
• Wipe down the sink and mirror so they look nice for the next guest
• Wash any towels you use
• Put used sheets in the laundry and remake the bed with fresh linens
• Sweep lightly if needed
• Clean the bathroom after use
• Wash your dishes throughout your stay
• Take out trash before departure
• Put the couch back neatly if you move it

Thank you for treating the home with care and respect. Your effort truly matters and helps keep this experience positive for everyone. 🧹✨

🤝 Honesty & Compatibility

I believe in being honest with myself and with guests about values and compatibility.

🌈If you strongly support political views or policies associated with Donald Trump, ICE, or other positions that I personally feel are harmful to the well-being of our community, I may not be the best host for you.

This is not meant to be unkind. I am simply choosing to host guests whose values feel aligned with kindness, inclusion, and respect. I hope you understand that this is about personal compatibility, not about judging anyone as a person.

Thank you for respecting this boundary. 💛
!🌈

🧼 Cleanliness & Shared Responsibility

I kindly ask that guests actively contribute to keeping the space clean during and after their stay.

Since I do not have a cleaning service, and no one is paid to clean after guests, I ask that you please:
• Clean up hair in the bathroom (especially after showering)
• Wipe down the sink and mirror so they look nice for the next guest
• Wash any towels you use
• Put used sheets in the laundry and remake the bed with fresh linens
• Sweep lightly if needed if I have bought a broom (lol)
• Clean the bathroom after use
• Wash your dishes throughout your stay
• Take out trash before departure
• Clean up after yourself ….

Thank you for treating the home with care and respect. Your effort truly matters and helps keep this experience positive for everyone. 🧹✨

🤝 Honesty & Compatibility

I believe in being honest with myself and with guests about values and compatibility.

If you strongly support political views or policies associated with Donald Trump, ICE, or other positions that I personally feel are harmful to the well-being of our community, I may not be the best host for you.

This is not meant to be unkind. I am simply choosing to host guests whose values feel aligned with kindness, inclusion, and respect. I hope you understand that this is about personal compatibility, not about judging anyone as a person.

Thank you for me and request to stay with me. Thank you ever so much.

Please can you let me know before you arrive about the day of your arrival and how you leave and get to your departure source. (Day, date, time) where they will arrive (airport, Aimtrack or Lyft car or Uber or another car or their own car) in Atlant or Greyhound. . . . I just like knowing what’s going on & being aware.

Can you let me be aware of how they will arrive at my apartment (their own car, a person will drop them off at my apartment , or arriving off MARTA trains to MARTA bus #14, ,,the walking to the Chatahoochie Coffee Company (that’s just below my apartment at Walton Westside Apartmants not far at all from the MARTA #14 stop..)
. Thank you so much!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️When you request to stay with me, please let me know that you support positive energy and positivity, not the obease red headed 5 year old cruel demagogue who the USA is stuck with right now.

I support immigrant, LGBTQ, human rights, science, Women’s rights, African Americans, Native Americans, all positive aspects of humanity, education, the CDC, kindness, empathy, recycling, not digging for oil, and countless people of our humane, healthy, seekers of humanity. Thank you so much for your honesty, in advance. I’m sure you’ll find a cool host.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I see 3149 or more hosts available in Atlanta, Ga. I believe there will be many others who do not set this boundary who will be more than happy to host.

My Instagram address is Try_compassion_and_compassion!
Please let me know if you contact me on Instagram . I barely ever go to Facebook or Instagram or my e-mail, unless someone lets me know that he/she messaged me there.

🐾🐐🐕‍🦺LOCATION INFORMATION:
I’m right beside The Goat 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐Farm. . .just put “The Goat Farm” into your directions & directions to my place at Walton Westside. Chatahoochie Coffee Shop awaits you, just below my apartment.

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
Hosting brings me healthy joy. I began hosting because transportation limitations made volunteer work difficult for me to access. Couchsurfing became a meaningful way to give back, meet people from around the world, and create positive experiences here in Atlanta. My goal is simple: to be a warm, respectful, and positive part of your time . Please follow house rules and make it easy on me. I do not haves too many house rules.

Please note, if you voted for Trump please find a kinder person to host you.

If you are under the age of 21 and unexperienced in the Couchsurfing community, I will happily host you after you have a lot more experience and you’re ready to be a real responsible member of this community. I need a favor. I need you to have references. An o pair might be an exception.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoNCairOJ_M

Please be sure and write “Love is an amazing incredible dog to be remembered for her empathy and patience and kindness“ 🐕‍🦺🐾when you asked me to stay with me. When you ask to stay with me. This is extremely important. Also, please let me know that you understand of the trouble I’ll get in in my heart 💜will be broken💔If anyone finds out you were here as a Couch Surfer. Call my father( Frank) if you cannot get in touch with me. Identify yourself as a Couchsurfer and he will know better what to do. . . My phone may be off and not ringing and that may be why I am out of touch. Here is the number, if you have tried e-mailing me, tried calling me tried texting me through the couchsurfing communication inside the Couchsurfing app.and tried texting me and cannot get in . Please only use it if I’m too unavailable

(470) 273-4040. If he doesnt pick up, you can try my mother, Linda. (404) 788-4225.‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

• animals
• dogs
• arts
• writing
• literature
• design
• fashion
• documentaries
• illustrations
• music festivals
• festivals
• dancing
• animal welfare
• civil rights
• education
• environment
• childrens rights
• womens rights
• dining
• italian food
• coffee
• japanese food
• farmers' market
• organic food
• yoga
• pilates
• massage therapy
• working out
• motorcycles
• gardening
• shopping
• news
• movies
• animal care
• garage sales
• painting
• drawing
• music
• live music
• jazz
• guitar
• karaoke
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• camping
• hockey
• international relations
• journalism
• languages
• law
• psychology
• volunteering
• beaches
• art
• nature
• english
• football
• fun
• learning languages
• friendship
• social justice
• sleep
• knowledge
• activism
• feminism
• self improvement
• mindfulness
• france
• recycling
• jokes
• driving
• paris
• family
• children
• meeting new people
• organic gardening
• self-development
• snakes
• healthy lifestyle
• simple living
• ceramics
• research
• making friends
• relationships
• solar energy
• walking around
• england
• brain
• alternative lifestyles
• nature walks
• organic farming
• organizing
• african culture
• walking in nature
• janis joplin
• animals rights
• sex education
• acrylic painting
• watercolor painting
• animals and nature
• l
• loosing weight
• handbuilding

Music, Movies, and Books

🎶 I’m especially fond of hearing Queen, REM , U2 , Indigo Girls 💜Billy Joel 💜 John Denver Paul Mc Cartney I like almost all music from the 80’s on back, along with Flight of the Concords and some newer stuff.

Please, feel free to educate and share your taste of music with me.. 🐕‍🦺I adore, going to concerts. I love going to concerts. I’m going to Queen when they come to Atlanta. I could not afford any ticket but the nose bleeds. Still, that’ll be 🫅🏻!!!!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I’ve had the honor of living and being bonded , for 15 years, with an incredibly amazing soul in the form of a Black Labrador from a shelter in Texas who I named “Love.” I miss her dearly each night and day.🦝🦨🐾🐕‍🦺. Make sure to write “Love is an amazing , incredible, unforgettable dog.” When you request to stay with me. This is one way I will know you for the whole profile. There’s one other sentence to cut and paste.

I also survived The Cascade School in Whitmore, CA. And I have some positive memories. It was excruciatingly difficult emotionally and spiritually and mentally. I was one of the lucky ones.

I have extreme sadness and empathy for and compassion for and my heart 💜 and my total being goes out to the courageous, strong, loving , trusting people who were hit hard by the hard, frozen, powerful counselors . These counselors were trusted then, yet abused and misused their authority. I would like to put those manipulative ones away.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you that there is always hope.

I can share my dog with you. You’re going to fall in love. His name is Johnny Depp and people say he’s better looking than Johnny Depp. You can decide. He’s a British black lab and he was born January 11, 2022.

I can share my time with you sometimes, sometimes I can just share a couch and a space to sleep. It really depends on the day and the time, because sometimes I have time and sometimes I just don't.

I can share with you a second room in my home sometimes.

I can share my knowledge and experience from Couchsurfing as well. Here is an example of one way I help I helped someone who just wrote me. All the person said was “Sup.”

initial outreach messages have frequently begun with "Sup." It's a common abbreviation, and I can appreciate the desire for efficiency when connecting with a number of individuals.

Express: From my perspective, and based on what I've learned about effective communication, I feel it's truly vital to establish a sense of authentic connection from the very beginning. When an initial message is a generalized greeting like "Sup," it often doesn't convey the level of personal interest that I believe you intend. Frankly, if you sent "Sup" to 50 people, it rather underscores that it's not tailored to any one individual.

Assert: I would strongly recommend, and indeed ask, that you dedicate a little time to thoroughly review each person's profile before composing your message. My suggestion is to then craft an opening that genuinely reflects something specific and engaging from their profile, demonstrating your authentic interest. For instance, when you're writing to me for the first time, a simple "Sup" wouldn't quite meet the bar for a thoughtful initial communication.

Reinforce: The truth is, many people, myself included, might unfortunately overlook or even dismiss messages that lack a personal touch. It's often perceived as a lack of genuine engagement. By investing a moment more to personalize your opening, you're not just sending a message; you're signaling respect and a true desire to connect, which dramatically increases the likelihood of a positive and meaningful response. It's an investment that truly pays dividends in building rapport.

Mindful: I recognize that connecting with many people can be a time-consuming endeavor, and my intention here is purely to offer guidance that will enhance the quality and effectiveness of your interactions.

Appear Confident: I'm quite confident that adopting this more thoughtful approach will significantly elevate your engagement and lead to more fruitful connections.

Negotiate: Would you be willing to experiment with this approach for a while? Perhaps try highlighting one specific piece of information or a shared interest you noticed in a person's profile as your opening. I think you'll find it quite effective.

I sincerely hope this advice serves you well in your future endeavors!
Dec 5 • 12:50 PM

What I Can Share with Hosts

Sitting on your window, you will see at least 35 books that are brand new. They say Walton Westside on the opening cover. Please check with me first. You’re welcome to have any of these books. There are two by Max Lucado traveling light and because of Bethlehem by Max Lucado. There are two books on Jimmy Carter one by Kathy Lee Gifford, one by zig Ziegler one that I absolutely adore Called absolutely Everybody Always by Bob Goff, treasure Island, the marriage book, how to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie, the hiding place by Corton Boone, The Hobbit, 🌹the call of the wild, treasure Island, Benjamin Franklin‘s book and some more. Those are out on the windowsill for you. Please just clear them through me because some of the books I need to keep. But most of them almost all of them are for you to choose from for yourself to keep and bring home with you. I am not go back to Weight. It’s one of these books. They are here for you and they are free. I’ve taken a photograph of them and they are in my photo section as well.

🌈Please note, if you voted for Trump please find a kinder person to host you.🌈

🌼If you are under the age of 21 and unexperienced in the Couchsurfing community, I will happily host you after you have a lot more experience and you’re ready to be a real responsible member of this community. I need a favor. I need you to have references. An o pair might be an exception.🌼

Ample information about Atlanta. i’ve lived here off & on for 46 years. And that photo of me In the red dress was 7 years ago)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Luxembourg, Mexico, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States