This is my first Airbnb visit, and Alexandra made me feel very welcome from the very beginning. I went to quite a lot of hassle getting through the setup for Airbnb itself, which I think is probably a common occurrence particularly for people like myself who are not accustomed to online interaction. She was extremely patient as I went through this process, and we were initially limited somewhat in our ability to communicate because of the rules that I believe are necessary for security. In any event, I was driving a very large pickup truck, which was necessary for me to pick up some items in Asheville, but not necessarily the most convenient thing to park in and around town. As soon as I arrived, she jumped in and got the thing parked really well. I had no trouble finding her place, (the GPS won't take you directly there but it will get you close enough, and her excellent directions get you the rest of the way) the road to her house is narrow for a crazy large pickup but should be fine for any reasonable vehicle. The immediate surrounding neighborhood does have signs of poverty, but not physical insecurity. It reminded me of where I grew up, with children playing outdoors, some of them getting dirty, and green things growing everywhere. There is a bird sanctuary there, and plenty of bird sounds to go with it leaving the impression of being in a very nice park. Before going into the house, she introduced me to her dog, in part I think because there have been other postings about issues with this dog. She asked me not to try to approach him at first and let him get used to me, and that was a complete non issue. I am pet neutral; most pets return that sentiment, and tend to ignore me. As soon as I entered the house, the feeling of familiarity with the outdoor surroundings was replaced by an intense sense of nostalgia , like I had felt as a child and in my teens when visiting relatives. The interior of this house shows so much character and use, and reflects the very busy lives its owners. She introduced me to her partner, who was busy cooking but also very welcoming. Alexandra showed me my space, a bedroom, which is separated from the bathroom by her office/library, which has delightfully wooden appearance, a fireplace, with handmade bookshelves with many volumes on display. Both the bedroom and the bathroom were very neat and clean, and not nearly as busy as the rest of the house, indicating that they are clearly reserved for guests. She and her partner were leaving for the evening, with multiple family and other events, but before leaving made very sure that I was giving directions in and around Asheville with recommendations for dining and entertainment. She also recommended one of her larger books from the library which proved an excellent read later in the evening....