CURRENT MISSION - to find a spot (in Italy) where I can spend summers from now on. Looking for a place where the sea water is warm and clean, there are many beaches, big and especially small beaches, and both publich and private places to enjoy nature and the sea. Hoping to find good, hiking, exploring, and fishing, colorful passionate people, food bazars with local wine and cafe's with hearty homestyle cooking. My goal is to find a place to which I can return every summer, to fish, cook, eat, drink, hike, swim and sun.

ABOUT ME

My goal is to enjoy my life. I'm goofy, and lighthearted, a very layed back person. Although. I love people, I am a very private person, and don't advertise my friends. I love socializing and am interested in talking about every possible subject except politics, money, or religion. I like to cook food that I purchased at the outdoor bazar and fish that I cought. I love good wine - especially Cabernet Sauvignong - but don't know as much about wine as I'd like to ( feeling blessed to live in California Wine Country). I'm not a sports fan, and so don't follow soccer, basketbal or hockey, although I do watch the Superbowl every year.

I was a career bartender in New York City for a decade, and mix professional level cocktails. I appreciate architecture and urban planning. which interst is calling me to Europe. I cultivate an open-minded, patient and open attitude; listen to all kinds of music. I like biking and hiking, and love the sea and fishing. Lately, I've gotten into gardening, and have been growing tomatos at home.
The environment is very important to me; I just leased my first electric car, which I drive everywhere and love very much.

I enjoy movies a great deal, and like to read though I don't find much time for it.

I'm currently reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted people many times long before Couchsurfing.com was born and before I was ever introduced to the internet; the first time I had couchsurfers stay at my place it was 1991 in New York City. I hosted two Dutch friends. This was a great experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first experience surfing a couch was in India nany years ago. It was a great experience where I met many great people. My cousin and I were traveling met couchsurfers, joined forces with them, and wound up partying together in Goa.

The second time I couchsurfed was in Park City Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. Very different than India, but just as memorable.

I haven't been traveling in a few years, but now I am planning a trip to Apulia and am hoping to find a room with someone from there who would like to practice their American English.

Interests

Wine, food, spending time outdoors, books, movies and fishing.

• books
• festivals
• cooking
• wine
• meditation
• partying
• drinking
• gardening
• movies
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I love to read Wikipedia:) My radio is always set to a swing music station, public radio, or the BBC. I love movies foreign and domestic; my favorite director is Ridley Scott. I love electronic music, Progressive Rock, Classical, Opera, Swing, and Rap. I sometimes watch cooking shows, travel shows, poker, surviverman and UFC. Some of my favorite books are The Old Man and The Sea, Crime and Punishment, Gone with the Wind, The Lady of the Camelia's, and a Clockwork Orange.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Scuba diving off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, (unfortunately I never took the classes and am not PADI certified). I'm hoping to learn Snooba this Summer.

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak and read intermediate Russian, speak basic Spanish and know a bit about construction and something about U.S.A. law as it relates to construction. I would be very interested in learning about real estate and construction in Apulia.

I'm an environmentalist at heart, and trying to have a smaller imprint.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Practice your English! Go Fishing

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belarus, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, Ukraine, United States