Come on in. Stay for a few days. I’ll show you around and you can experience North Carolina from a local perspective.
Two days ago, I posted on Facebook that I was interested in visiting the Grand Cayman and within the hour a reader offered for me to stay at her condo on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman! It was a dream situation and I sat there shaking my head at the kindness of others. I’m going to do it and it’s going to be awesome. And the unbelievable part, I’m staying there for free. The situation left me thinking on a grand scale.
I’d like to host a person, a couple, or a family at my home in Charlotte, North Carolina. We have a large, 4 bedroom house with two extra guest bedrooms. We live about twenty minutes outside of the city and we’re close to a beautiful lake called Lake Norman. We’ve only lived in North Carolina for less than two years but we’ve learned of all the best places to experience the culture. We want to show you around and immerse you in the environment. But we need to act fast because we’re planning on moving to California and we might not have the same space available for an opportunity like this. January or February would definitely work. Do you have vacation coming up? Maybe free-time? Why not spend it in Charlotte, North Carolina and I’ll give you the real tour of the area. I’m sure my press contacts would be willing to help us out with a few extra tickets or behind-the-scenes adventures too.
This could be your suite
In exchange, we’d like for you to host us for the same amount of time at your house. Most likely, it will just be Athena (2 years old) and I with a possibility of Darren joining us if the situation was right. We want to explore the world and see it from a non-tourist perspective. Doesn’t it sound like an opportunity of a life-time? Let’s make it a reality.
I can’t think of a better way to truly experience another location. It doesn’t matter where you live, near or far, or how old or young you are, we’d love to chat about the possibilities. It’s like home exchange on steroids. It’s an exchange of culture and a creation of family around the world.
If you think it’s something of interest, send me an email at [email protected] and we can chat further.
I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
Maybe you’re not available for travel, but you know someone who is. Please share around. Let’s make friends around the world and share our experiences with others.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Walt Disney
Bucket List Publications 
Great adventure comes in the inspired risks we take.
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Exactly! Ask the Universe, and It will answer, sooner rather than later!
Can’t wait to see the photography you take on your trip! All the best,
in 2014 and beyond! Love and good vibes from sunny Miami 😀
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Hey. It’s great. U can come here to latin America. Venezuela where youbhave the chance to see the tallest waterfall in the world. Coca fields and so more. We live in Caracas. I love your idea. Let me know if you are interested in.
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I have been dreaming about South America for years and the opportunity never came about. That would be amazing! Let’s make it happen in 2014. I’d love to know more about the possibilities. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]
Thanks for reaching out and I look forward to chatting more!
🙂
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For sure. I will send you the details. Xoxo and Merry Christmas
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Great ideas, have an awesome trip. 🙂
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I’d say lets do it but I live in a 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment in NY… not as nice as yours but I’d still love to see… February you say? Well did I mention that my birthday is in February (are we getting anywhere with this)
Happy Christmas Btw
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The size is never an issue. I do miss NY dearly. Maybe this could work out 🙂
Happy holidays and I’ll reach out soon,
Lesley
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Well you are more than welcome! =)
Happy Holidays!
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How sweet and you love in such a gorgeous area! I hope your trip to Grand Cayman is wonderful. I went in 2006 and it was a dream!
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It will be my first visit to the Cayman Islands so I’m getting really excited. I’m going to start planning all the details the first few days in the new year!
Do you have any major travel plans coming up?
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What a great idea! I too have written a post a few days ago 2014 Bucket List vs Resolutions and a trip to India was on my list when a few hours later I was invited by a follower. Generosity in all its glory. All the best of luck! xxx
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Wow! That’s amazing! Are you going to stay with them? I’ll watch for posts 🙂
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Merry Christmas!
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Thank you, and to you as well. I hope your day was filled with happiness and joy 🙂
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seems like a wonderful opportunity for someone!
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There was a movie about this sort of thing!
I would if I could but I can’t 😦
Hope whoever takes you up on your offer has a wonderful time, and so do you.
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We live right at a gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole as well as Yellowstone National Park. Not sure if you have been. We are very familiar and could give quite a tour, but only once it is summer! We would love to visit your neck of the woods. I have extra room and I am an excellent hostess, if I do say so myself. Let me know if you are interested!
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I haven’t been and I would love to visit! Would you be ok with hosting my daughter with me? I’d prefer to visit in the summer anyway 😉
It would be great if you could make it out to Charlotte; have you been here before? Is it something of interest to you?
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing it more.
Happy holidays,
Lesley
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Of course. I have four children of my own–my youngest is now 11. I even have a Pack N’ Play still! I think you would like this part of the country.
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Great idea, hope it works out well for you.
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Love your blog,inspires me want to visit the Himalayas.
Happy Holidays to you and the family.
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You and your family would be welcome at my humble abode !! 25 minutes into Philadelphia, and 2 hours to NYC… Have a blessed Christmas !! bruce
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You are on! Want to come to Switzerland? One hr. east of Zurich. 45 min. drive to your nearest mountain top.
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We sure do want to go to Switzerland! I haven’t been in about 8 years. Do you have an extra room? I’d love to discuss the possibilities.
Are you interested in visiting Charlotte, North Carolina?
That would be an amazing opportunity for us to learn from each other. 🙂
I look forward to hearing from you and discussing it more.
Happy holidays,
Lesley
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Yes we have a house, it’s pretty empty at the moment, I mean it has room for a family and it’s just me and my husband. I’ve been wanting to go back to NC for years now and yesterday just found out there is a quilt show there in july. So was anyway thinking of going then.
We can talk more after the holidays.
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this idea is simply brilliant!
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I love this idea and I would love to do this! 😀 But I unfortunately I’m a student and can’t afford a trip/vacation like this
However, I live and study in Vaasa (Finland). So if you are coming that way let me know! 🙂
Merry Christmas!
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I can’t help but wish jak and I lived in some exotic location and had great jobs so we could afford a nice home with extra bedrooms and maybe a maid to help with the mess and clutter we create. As it is, though, we live in South Eastern Washington state and about a mile and a half outside of town. Probably about a mile’s walk from the nearest bus service. Plus, we don’t have any extra bedrooms available.
All that considered, I would definitely consider it.
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Love the concept. Shared it and hope you meet some fabulous people.
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This makes me wish we lived somewhere besides close to Charlotte. You probably wouldn’t be interested in checking out the other side of the city. 😉
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My sister and her husband in Vancouver, did a house exchange once with a couple in France. It was wonderful, I heard, but it was in the same time period…something like that movie, The Holiday with Carmen Diaz: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457939/
Sounds like you might be onto another interesting phase in your travels. 😉
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It sounds a great idea to have exchange experience all over the world! I live in Hong Kong and as you may know, it is a small City. But it would be wonderful if you could visit this city! I could be your tour guide =) I think it is always nice to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds!
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Wow, I hope you get good feedback and great offers. I shared your post with a friend in Addison PA who owns a B&B. Kitty & David are lovely people and I hope you connect with them at Hartzell House Bed & Breakfast. https://www.facebook.com/hartzellhouse
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That is one beautiful idea!
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That’s why I love couchsurfing so much! Since I’ve been here in Greece, I have had such a great time sleeping on people’s couches and getting to know them and Greece in the process. It really makes you realize how kind and generous people are 🙂
I can’t wait to open up my couch to people!
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Loving This have an awesome trip, will share and tweet this, Fabulous idea
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Where do you live? Maybe we can figure something out 🙂
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Would you like to visit India? 🙂 I have a bachelor pad in Bangalore if that’s OK with you. My parents stay in Bangalore a little away from my place so, space should not be a concern 🙂
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Good luck with your trip, I am sure you will love it. Home and Hospitality Exchange has been around since the 1950s, started initially by some teachers, and as it is such a great concept it is now becoming more and more popular. Why pay to stay in a hotel or rent somewhere when you can stay for free.
I recommend that before the actual trip that you communicate lots with your proposed ‘exchange partners’ to get to know them and to help with planning of the trip. Enjoy the experience.
Cheers
Brian Luckhurst
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Fantastic idea, and I’ll be watching with interest 🙂 The ‘net opens up so many possibilities! Happy travels, can’t wait to read the stories.
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My cousin was married in Grand Cayman on Seven Mile Beach. Such a beautiful place! I’d recommend doing one of the boat tours out to Stingray City to snorkel with the stingrays. So much fun!
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I love North Carolina! Will have to let you know when I schedule my next trip there. Let me know if y’all ever make it to Dallas!
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Where do you live? Let’s do it! How cool would it be for our kids to hang out together in a new location? 🙂
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I live in North Alabama! And that really would be awesome. I would love for her to experience the adventure and culture of so many other places. I will send you an email!
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It might even be driving distance! 🙂 I look forward to reading your email.
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I absolutely love this idea. I wish I could do this (the fact that i said that out loud is a huge thing). I would love to do an exchange with someone, since I live in a one bedroom apartment.
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Where do you live? Sometimes a one bedroom apartment in the right location is better than an entire house somewhere else 😉
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Love this idea! You will have SO much fun in Grand Cayman, it’s awesome!!
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This is a wonderful posting! I am currently traveling in Canada using something called Couchsurfing.org. It is a website that helps organize the type of exchange you are talking about. It really is the best way to truly experience a new location. Good for you!
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I would love to but can’t now. Where in California are you moving to? I like two hours north of San Francisco. You know… going to North Carolina someday is something I really want to do… never been there but I have “deep” roots in Pitt County going back to colonial days.
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Love your blog. Your passion for travel is infectious. Grand Caymen is exquisite. You will see the most amazing beaches. Enjoy!! 🙂
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Oh Lesley what a great idea you bring today. Good luck
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We definitely can’t make North Carolina. 😦 But if you get to the Island, you are more than welcome to join my crazy family!
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Awesome concept! When I get a larger space, I will keep you in mind. I would love to do something like this!
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Lesley this is brilliant. Maybe it will start a new travelling movement! There is no better way to see a new area than through the eyes of a local.
Carole
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This is the best idea, once I actually settle somewhere, I’ll have to try it.
Lesley, I just wanted to stop by and say thanks. I’m brand new to blogging, and you were the first person to like one of my posts. So, now your adventure blog is special to me. I hope you enjoy all your adventures.
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This is so amazing and so welcoming of you! I’m registered with couchsurfing.com, but I’ve found it difficult with roommates to be as open as I would like. Enjoy your adventure, wherever it takes you!
Where in California are you moving to?
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What a great idea and so thoughtful of that person to open up their home to you. that’s so cool! I’ve been to Grand Cayman on a cruise and I loved it. I want to pack up my stuff, go there and be a beach waitress. Sun, sand, water. I love it. ~Gina
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A wonderful idea! Have a lovely time in. The Caymans, we’ll certainly get to read and see some of it.
Have you yet discovered Finland or Scandinavia?
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NICE!!!!!!:)
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What a great idea. I live just outside of Boston, have a finished basement with a futon for 2 and a roll out bed. Full bath in the basement w/ shower.
Anyone running Boston this year and need a place to stay? I’m running this year, know my way around and have run Boston 5 times. I can even pick you up at the airport!
[email protected]
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OMG, such an awesome concept… If we weren’t in an already cramped situation is be up for this. We have 5 of us & 2 cats crammed in a little 3 bed, only 1 bathroom & with my eldest being Aspergic… Let’s just say life is colourful & never dull (it can be altogether very loud & frantic a lot of the time) lol. I’m also mighty poor so couldn’t even afford the flights to come see you myself from the UK 😥
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