I spent one week at Skip's house where I had not only a very good time but also an enriching experience. First of all, his house is about 1 block away from an express subway station: the D and N express and R local trains. The express are faster and we could get to different parts of Manhattan without changing trains. Close to his house there are stores open late at night to buy groceries.

Besides the close proximity to the subway and the amenities at the house, the most surprising thing for me was to meet a host as open and kind as Skip. He was always available to answer any question we had; how to get to places, times that various places are open, etc. He knows a lot about NYC since he has lived there all his life. What he didn't know he would find out for us.

The friend I was traveling with had a relative who got sick while we were at Skip's. She became worried and anxious about this situation. Skip was very supportive. He helped her to relax and find a solution. Unfortunately she had to leave a little bit earlier. Again Skip showed his generosity by contacting the airlines and busses to find her transportation back to Canada.

I was really grateful to Skip and impressed to find a person with the essential qualities of patience, sympathy, generosity, open to people's differences and a great sense of humor.

I went to New York and brought back home a lesson of humanity: people are not necessarily indifferent to others and their needs only because they live in a big city or because they have no economic interests in helping others. The proof is Skip, a sensitive and careful host. Thank you so much!

Gabriela Milanezi, from Brazil