I love to travel and have been to Spain a number of times. I am studying Spanish on my own, with CDs and am going to be in Madrid (I already have a hotel) from May 26 to June 6. I am a friendly person who likes to meet others who enjoy exploring other cultures, history, geography and like soak up the local atmosphere. I'm a grandmother but that doesn't slow me down in my passion for travel or my commitment to human rights. Speaking out for the rights of the oppressed is what drives me. I see all of mankind as one human family, equal in all ways. I converted to the Bahai religion in 2001 because it embodies all of my beliefs. I was Jewish by birth, Bahai by choice.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I would like to get together casually to meet people who live in Madrid and who possibly share my commitment to human rights, particularly the rights (lack of rights) of Palestinians.

Interests

travel, understanding other cultures, history, art, Flamenco and Spanish guitar, the contributions of Los Gitanos to Spanish music and dance, architecture, the Arabic influence on Spanish architecture and the era of history when Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together in peace in Spain and accomplished great things (before 1492). I read a lot: almost anything except fantasy, science fiction and futuristic gloom and doom. I am particularly interested in English history. I love historic areas of cities and towns, charming streets, outdoor cafes (people watching), gardens, palaces and lovely churches as well as strolling through residential neighborhoods and seeing how "real" people live.

• arts
• culture
• architecture
• dancing
• flamenco
• human rights
• coffee
• running
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• communications
• geography
• history
• religion
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

One of the most important books I have read is "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine" by Ilan Pappe. It opened my eyes to the reality of the founding of Israel at the expense of the indigenous population. As a result of reading this and many other books on the subject I went to the West Bank to see the plight of the Palestinian people with my own eyes. I have read more than 60 books on this subject.

I enjoy books by Ken Follett, Greg Iles, Nelson DeMille as well as historical fiction, anything about Israel/Palestine, and history. I'm particularly interested in how the average person lived through the ages in many countries and cultures. My interest in reading about wars, for example, focuses more on how it effected the average person rather than about battles, Insights into WWII, how people lived through Nazi occupation also fascinates me.

I have read many books about reincarnation which seems very logical to me.

My taste in music is quire varied, but I do not like free-form jazz (it stresses me out).

I enjoy songs from musical theater, artists like Billy Joel, The Eagles, The Beatles, (the era of my youth). I'm pretty cool with most music but not a big fan of American country music, though some cross-over country/pop is good.

I love movies and will see anything with Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith and many other genres. I do not like horror movies or films about the supernatural because they scare me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Going, on my own, to the occupied West Bank to see the reality of the situation so that I could document it and tell others of the horrific injustices that are not reported in the American media.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to improve my understanding of spoken Spanish. Hablo un poco, entiendo menos! Los personas hablan demasiado rapido. I could share insights into our American culture and my unhappiness with the fact that the top 1 percent run everything here and don't care about those who have less. Income inequality is shameful here. An egalitarian society would be my dream.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I don't need hosts as I have a hotel located in the center of Madrid (Puerta del Sol). I'm seeking friends to have coffee or lunch with, to exchange ideas and experiences, and to offer respect for their culture.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Aruba, Austria, Barbados, Bulgaria, Canada, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Dominica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States