CURRENT MISSION

A good question?? I guess just being a friend would state it.

ABOUT ME

I'm a little guy, 1m62 for about 65k more or less depending on the week or holiday. Most people think I am younger than I am, mostly I guess, because I never really quite grew up. I think being single has a lot to do with that, as I have never had the responsibility of a family.

PHILOSOPHY
LIVE AND LET LIVE
I am a Christian and believe in God but I accept others and their beliefs and enjoy talking about different personal philosophies. In this area I have read both the Bible and the Coran. I don't shove my beliefs down peoples throats, though, so don't worry. I won't hold you hostage till you adhere!! ;-) I detest resorting to violence in the name of God no matter what the personal philosophy, be it a nation or an individual. I think God is big enough to take care of himself without using him as an excuse to vent personal anger.
I like to share experiences... For example I don't enjoy watching a movie alone or traveling alone although I have been alone all my life I will never be used to it. Sharing an experience somehow makes it more real to me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I can't say I am doing much other than hosting and I have done quite a bit of that until recently. I can still host out in the Normand countryside but most people are looking to stay in the Paris area where I no longer live. I think putting a detailed profile is some help because it can draw like minds. Unfortunately I have had to refuse people simply because of work, or the fact that they wanted to come at holiday times when I wasn't available. Sorry if that happens. I will in fact be traveling myself for the next two months so for that time obviously I won't be available to host . Now that I am retired I spend most of my time in my 200 plus year old house in Lower Normandy about 60km inland from Deauville which is on the coast and nearly 200km straight west of Paris. There is a lot to see an do around here especially for Americans and others who are interested in World War II and the D-Day landings but definitely not limited to that part of History. Unfortunately there is no real public transportation out here in the country

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've had little experience yet as far as surfing but I have hosted both here near Paris and in my house in Normandy. A couple of years ago I made a short trip to Istanbul where I stayed with someone who had stayed several times with me.I did try to organize a trip to North Africa once, but got nearly no responses to my requests there which both surprised me and made me wonder about the seriousness of many profiles. My holidays are spent visiting my family in Ohio so I have no time left to roam the world although I would really like to see more of it. It is a difficult choice when you can only see your family once a year and your budget barely allows that. I do hope to do more travelling now that I am retired.

Interests

Love to meet REAL people from all over.
Love good food and wine but especially home cooking.
Love nature and hate to see it being destroyed all over the world.
I like creative things and wish I had more time and direction to be more creative than I am. I have done some painting in the past and would like to pick it up again one day. I enjoy taking photos but have no training. Cooking is about my only real creative outlet now I guess, although I also enjoy working in my garden in the country. Another thing I love is looking at the sky on a dark starry night. I have little light pollution at my house in the country. I am fascinated by all the stories of UFO's and would like to know the truth but have personally never seen one. "The Disclosure project" testimonies are not to be brushed aside. I would also be VERY interested in knowing what REALLY happened on 9/11 meaning I don't see clear answers at all in the official version. The documentary by the "Jersey Girls" "Press for Truth" (can be found on youtube) is an eye opener.
As you can see that leaves a lot of subjects for discussion.

Music, Movies, and Books

I read quite a bit. I like fantasy. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed Harry Potter for example. My problem is that I strongly dislike violence and it is nearly impossible to find a good book or movie these days without blood and violence. I have read a number of the classics in French and in English but now I am reading more modern books. Some authors I've liked: are CS Lewis, (I think I have read nearly all his books)Tolkien, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, James Patterson,Daniel Tammet, Ken Follett, George Martin, just to mention a few.
I like films but not the typical American action ones. I prefer independent cinema and as I said, I hate violence in films. I like funny films, fantastic or real life adventures.A few I have liked are "The Gods Must be Crazy", "Meet Joe Black", "Bowling for Columbine", Harry Potter, "Dune", Star Wars, "E.T." "Garbage Warrior" "Who killed the Electric Car" again just to mention a few. I don't listen to a lot of music although I like most kinds other than modern jazz and hard rock. I prefer classical. A CD I recently bought (because it was on sale) is called "Mozart l'Egyptien" I've really enjoyed it but you would have to hear it to imagine what it is. I also have an amazing percussion DVD filmed in 2000 in India "Ustad Zakir Hussain Live Concert" You have to see it to believe it. Ask me when you are here if you like that sort of thing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most amazing things I have ever seen was an amazing display of the Northern Lights in North Eastern Ohio back in the 60's.
My trips out west where I actually saw the Grand Canyon and some of the other canyons will always be big on my list too.
I can add another trip out west where I DID see the Redwoods for the first time. FANTASTIC! It should be a crime against Humanity to cut one of those down, they are so awesome!!
I guess my greatest accomplishment to date is my Old house in Normandy. (between 200 and 300 yrs)I still wonder how I managed to buy that on such a limited budget, and as you see the photos of what it was and is now you will have to agree. Much credit goes to my neighbor Daniel for the fixing up!

Teach, Learn, Share

A number of my friends are former students, so I guess I enjoy helping people with their English. I also like to show people round when I have time. I love France so I think I can be a pretty good guide as far as giving a positive view not that there aren't any negative points to be discussed too.
I could possibly teach you how to make a few typical French dishes if there is time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States

•