It has been a while since I have been active on CouchSurfing, but recently became active again and look forward to meeting new people.

WHERE I LIVE

I live in one of the nicest compounds in Riyadh. It has four pools, a large gym, a movie theater, multiple restaurants and a grocery store - all of which you can use. I have a clean, comfortable and well furnished apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and two bathrooms. My guests can sleep in the living room on the couch or a queen size airbed. I can host up to two travelers. I offer sheets and towels. There is a maid who comes to my apartment five days a week and cleans and cooks so the apartment is always clean and there is always cooked food (which you are welcome to eat). The apartment has a washer and dryer which you can use. There are no stairs to get to my apartment.

There is a free shuttle from my compound to the closest metro station, and I believe (though don't know for sure) the shuttle also takes you back from that same metro station to my compound. The apartment has wifi internet, which you can use. I do not give the keys to my apartment and I work during the day so my guests should follow my schedule and leave in the morning and come back after work.

As mentioned above, there are two bathrooms - one attached to the living room (which has a sink and toilet) and another attached to the bedroom (with a sink, toilet and shower). I only use the bathroom attached to the bedroom. You can use the sink and toilet in the bathroom attached to the living room and the shower in the bathroom attached to the bedroom.

The living room with the couch is the main room in the apartment and the room you enter when you walk into the apartment so I may be in and out of that room.

To my digital nomad guests, if you want to work during the day while I am working, there is a lounge and cafe (with wifi internet) on the compound which you can use to work.

To my lady guests, I realize CS is not a dating website and have no such intentions. I live alone and simply like having the company of visitors.

I like freedom and nature and I love the feeling of wearing less clothes in my apartment. I do not expect and do not push my guests to follow me, though you are likely to see me walking in a t-shirt and briefs or naked in my apartment at times. It is not sexual, and is just part of my routine and the way I feel comfortable at home. I am well-mannered and respectful.

If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to answer them.

Please start your couch surfing request by saying "Hello Chris!" or use the word "camel" in your couch surfing request so I know you took the time to read my profile, and let me know you are okay with this arrangement.

CURRENT MISSION

See the world

ABOUT ME

Physically: Am about or between 5'8-9" in height, a slim physique, dark brown hair, my eyes are an amalgamation of blue/gray/green -- so blugrayn colored (?), told have nice smile. Anything else just ask me.

Background: Never married, no children, live alone in own place in Riyadh, future Italian fluent and am very passionate about its culture (been to Italy quite a few times). I truly loved the experience, and am planning my next trip.

Personality: Am fun loving, ambitious, kind, extroverted, positive natured, warm hearted, optimistic, idealist, introspective, have been told have a 'great fortitude', indomitable in the face of adversity (I was told by my grandpa that this is a trait we get from our ancestors in Naples - have to research that..), constantly curious, love to be challenged, loyal, kind, patient (especially with those who need/want help or want to better themselves), inspired, and always seeking to be better today than I was yesterday. The maxim that I *try* to embody on a daily basis is from Mahatma Ghandi's golden rules for mankind, "Be the change you wish to see in the world", together with Plato's "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle". And the finally the quote I start my day with: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

PHILOSOPHY

Quotes: Okay kind of covered this area, but "If you want to know your future, look at what you are doing in this moment." - Tibetan Monk Proverb

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like to meet new people.

Interests

My favorite way to spend my free time is with my friends.

• culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: The Alchemist; The Best Works of Pablo Neruda; Skyscraper Dreams; Compilations of Anais Nin (loved this line of hers I just read: "Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born". For me, Nin is able to articulate truths that we know in our hearts, but sometimes cannot see in our minds, like: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Food: Sushi (especially spicy salmon, spicy tuna rolls - trying to learn how to make it myself), truffle egg toast or perhaps a perfectly marinated Argentinian skirt steak with freshly made chimichurri sauce (okay, I think I am going to get back to this profile and get a steak now, and an ice ice cold Guinness!).

Dessert: Chocolate souffle with molten espresso chips and a caffè macchiato, tartufo affogato (as made in Italy), and amazing teas like Chai Marsala and Butter Truffle.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My favorite cities: Rome!, Paris (sans Parisians), Ibiza, Stockholm and Amsterdam. Plan on going to Havana, Cuba (legally!) within the year. Would love to see what carnival is like in Rio, Brazil and and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad! And still need to see Sardinia, most of Asia and parts of South America.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bahrain, China, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States