CURRENT MISSION

To experience this wonderful planet and be useful to its people. Love to document my travel experiences with my pictures. Feel free to follow my instagram account: @midlife_explorer

ABOUT ME

Hello Couchsurfers My name is Rafael. I am originally from Guatemala, Central America. After nearly 4 yrs living in London, and 4 and a half yrs in Atlanta, GA, and about 8 yrs in Antigua, Guatemala, I moved back to the capital, basically to be closer to my family, partner and friends.
I ask you to read my whole profile before sending me a couch surfing request (especially this section and the "my home" section). It is very important for me that you do so (and I have a way of knowing that you did).

And please...do not send requests more than 3 weeks before your arrival. I do not know if I will be home because I also like to travel during the weekends.

Now, back to me:

I am a 60 yrs old guy who does its best to enjoy life and to help other people realize their dreams. I have an adventurous spirit as well. Especially, I love to be of help with those who, like me, are infected with the "travel bug”
Guatemala City is not the most touristic town, and there are only a few attractions, but while traveling in Guatemala, you are likely to be stuck here while planning to move to other parts of the country, or while you are landing in the country or about to leave it. Having said that, the area where I live is very nice, livable, and there are plenty of amenities around it.
I can provide you blankets, towels and soap.
I would say a period of 3 to 4 days would be ok for me.

French and Italian speaking guests are especially welcome, because I need to practice both languages in order not to lose them.

I don´t smoke and my flat is a non smoking environment. Also not at all into drugs.

Traveling and meeting people from other countries and backgrounds has always been my passion. If I had the time and the money, I guess I would be traveling all the time !!

I have had the chance to travel over Asia (China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore), The Middle East and Northern Africa (Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan), Australia and New Zealand, and almost nearly all the countries in South, Central, North America and Europe.

Gay and lesbian travelers are very welcome at my place.

I have a nice kitchen, but I am not such a great cook so people who loves to cook are particularly welcome. Especially if they want to teach me how to prepare a nice dish from their country. I really enjoy when my guests prepare a nice dinner to share with me.

All my love to all of you couch surfers !!

PHILOSOPHY

I am accepting of people with different opinions and points of views than mine. I actually love their company, and yes, I love to have constructive discussions about any kind of topic that I think I know a bit about. Or if I don’t know much, it’s always nice to learn.

Of course, I have my own point of view, like anybody else.

I believe aboundance comes from a space of giving, not from expecting things from people.

Traveling is a passion for me. I enjoy it and it rejuvenates me.

I believe in love...I have experienced it, given it and received it....it´s such a blessing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I would love to offer accomodation and to explore the possiblities to get accomodation in my constant trips all over the World.
I would love to meet people, to help them they way around in Guatemala, where I am currently based.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have been a very active host both in London, Atlanta and Antigua and I have also had experienced the hospitality of wonderful Csers who have hosted me in Amsterdam, Oslo, Charleston (SC), Savannah (GA), Edinburgh, and New York City, among other places

Interests

Traveling
Photography
Meditation
Buddhism
Nature and animals
Scuba diving
Mountain climbing
Helping people
Meeting interesting people
Making friends
Getting to know myself (I still have to work on that)
History and nature documentaries
Discussing World current affairs
Reading books (contemporary novels and yes....a few self help books here and there)

• animals
• books
• photography
• documentaries
• beauty
• environment
• cooking
• meditation
• walking
• boating
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• surfing
• scuba diving
• bungee jumping
• buddhist
• rock climbing
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC:

In English: ABBA (my favourite band ever), Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, The Carpenters, Queen, Blondie, Reo Speedwagon, Boney M, Credence Clearwater, Pet Shop Boys, Divine, Journey, The Beatles and all those nostalgic tracks from the 60s. Westlife, Mika, Lady Ga Ga, Katy Perry.

In Spanish: Mecano (My favourite band in Spanish language), Jose Luis Perales, Juan Gabriel, Ella Baila Sola, Joan Manuel Serrat, Mercedes Sosa, Alux Nahual, Alejandra Guzman, Gloria Trevi, Shakira, Paulina Rubio, Thalia, Kabah, Gypsy Kings, Azucar Moreno.

Also like Classics: Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt, Mozart.

And New Age: Enya, Yanni, Kitaro.

MOVIES: American Beauty, the Godfather, Slumdog Millionaire, As Good as It Gets, The Sea Inside (Mar Adentro).

TV SERIES: Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, Queer as Folk, Six Feet Under, Heated Rivalry.

BOOKS: The 4 Agreements, the Da Vinci Code, Siddharta, L´Etranger, and all those self help books I keep reading all the time.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

-Scuba diving with sharks in the Bahamas
-Parachuting
-Bungee Jumping in New Zealand
-Parapenting in Rio de Janeiro
-Being able to get an MBA degree with a non Mathematical background !!
- Being with the lions, elephants, and giraffes in and African Safari.
-Scuba diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, in Palau,
The Red Sea and in the Caribbean.

Teach, Learn, Share

I believe in the innate beauty of the human mind and soul, and the goodness of human beings.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whenever you come to my home, please feel welcome since I open the door to you. No need to be shy or walking on eggshells. Feel at home since second number 1.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S., Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

El Salvador, Guatemala, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

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