Hi fellow couchsurfers! I’m John from California, and I live on the seaside in Durrës, Albania.

My response rate is low because I do not reply to copy/paste messages nor people who can't even bother to write my name in their greeting.

Despite mentioning the above in the second paragraph of my profile, 80% of people still don't even write my name.

I’ve been a couchsurfer since 2014, and I’ve had some amazing experiences along the way. I hitchhiked and couchsurfed from Turkey to Ireland, met some awesome people, and learned a lot about different cultures and lifestyles. I also became a Couchsurfing Ambassador in Warsaw, Poland, where I lived for 7 years and hosted many guests.

Before moving abroad, I was a private investigator in San Francisco and worked in fugitive recovery and missing persons for 12 years. Now I teach English :)

I have a second bedroom in my apartment where you can stay comfortably and enjoy the sea breeze. I can’t host very often, but feel free to send me a request, and I’ll try to accommodate you if I can. I like hanging out with my guests if I'm not working and I'm happy to give you a tour of the city.

I get many couch requests, so please make yourself stand out.

IMPORTANT!!!

I should not even have to write this, but I will not host you if you don't wear deodorant or bathe regularly. I'm not talking about being hot and sweaty after a day of traveling or hitchhiking. I'm talking about smelling like a dead rat in a San Francisco alley after a septic tank exploded. If you think smelling rancid is "natural," and don't do laundry because you think coagulated chunks of summer sweat make a great perfume, then I will not host you or ask you to leave. Guests are welcome to shower and do laundry. Please do for fuck's sake!!!

I'm not OCD or a neat freak. I just really cannot deal with smelly people 🤮

I am a smoker but outdoors only. I also typically have a drink in the evenings on my balcony overlooking the sea. If you have an issue being around alcohol or light substance use, I'm probably not the right host for you. I'd rather host someone who wants to drink a bottle of whiskey and smoke weed with me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The people who embrace this community are some of the friendliest people I have ever met and some who I now call close friends. I will probably be active on couchsurfing until I am dying in a nursing home and share my wheelchair and bed pan.

Interests

I love music, especially punk, reggae, blues, and hip-hop and play guitar. I also played in a punk band, and did a couple US tours. I love cooking, especially Mexican food and California cuisine, and I’m always happy to share a meal with my guests. I have a chubby cat named Kitku who will probably hiss at you but harmless.

I’m interested in geopolitics, sociology, history, geography, true crime, and exploring abandoned places. I’m also very open-minded and left-wing. I’m always looking forward to meeting new people and exchanging stories and ideas.

• politics
• music
• live music
• punk music
• rock music
• hip-hop music
• guitar
• blues
• reggae music
• camping
• history
• hitchhiking
• urban exploration
• abandoned places
• wild camping
• alcohol
• hiphop
• urban exploring
• antifascism
• anticapitalism

Music, Movies, and Books

Punk, Oi, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll, Industrial, Hardcore, Hip Hop, Reggae,

Horror/Crime/Drama

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I toured most of the United States with my band. I only had $300 for 3 months and drove a piece of shit van that was likely to die at any moment. No one died, neither did the van but we lost a ton of brain cells.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm full of insane ideas. Lets conspire to take over the world over a bottle of whiskey or raki.

I also love listening and learning about everything. Tell me something 😁

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love cooking and can make you California cuisine. I love political and cultural discussions and can share my experiences in the USA. We can also skip politics and just talk about sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and shitty B rated horror movies where everyone dies at the end. I definitely love good company and drinks. I am very clean, flexible and can adjust to your schedule during my stay. I also don't snore or smell.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Albania, Poland, United States