Ponge is a really sweet gentleman, very gracious and welcoming. He encouraged us to use his kitchen, although it was a bit difficult for lack of free counter space. He had a porcelain coffee filter holder and we bought filters and coffee at a small organic grocery around the corner in Bernal Heights, an interesting and quiet family neighborhood with coffee shops, restaurants, the branch public library, and the Muni bus line 24 all only a few steps from Ponge’s house.
As highly as we thought of Ponge, a few inexpensive items would have made the stay much more comfortable for us, a couple approaching retirement: two washcloths; a second bathroom floor mat to cover the cold tile in front of the sink; some comfortable, inexpensive bedding (readily available at any discount store) to replace the hard pillows, the lumpy quilt and the stiff, unpleasant sheets. The bathroom door also needs to be adjusted or planed in order to close properly.
Guests should know in advance that: 1) the listed “pet” on the premises is a pit bull, albeit a friendly one; 2) the only heat available in the basement bedroom is from a radiator-like space heater; 3) the steep and narrow steps to the front door are partially blocked by scaffolding due to ongoing exterior renovation (completion date unknown), making access to the house momentarily difficult. Ponge is working on garage entry for guests (a very sensible plan, as the garage is on the same level as the bedroom); guests should inquire whether the scaffolding has been removed or the garage access to the bedroom completed before booking.