Community Spotlight: Cathie

Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Community Spotlight: Cathie

Community Spotlights.pngHello everyone,

 

I am please to announce we have our next Community Spotlight. To recap, the Community Spotlight is where we ask one community member a few questions,  to get to know them a little better.

 

One thing to add, I thought it was about time we had our own Community Spotlight series illustration (only visable here in the CC!), so I hope you like it! 🙂

 

Here we go...introducing....Cathie.png 

Darwin, Australia

 

How long have you been hosting for and why did you first start?

I’m a relatively newbie to Airbnb as my first guests booked in May 2016, whilst I was on a holiday in Adelaide. I remember the butterflies deep in the tummy when I accepted the request for July. Nervous as! But prior to that, Garry and I had been hosting young adults who had come to Darwin for intensive English lessons through a university homestay program. We usually had two individuals of the same gender sharing the Airbnb space, always from different countries so they couldn’t speak their native language. They would stay usually for a month, and we formed strong bonds with most of them. We fed them for every meal and sat and practised conversations and English daily. Although it was lovely, Airbnb is definitely an easier form of hosting!

 

Tell us a little about your listing

My home is a traditional elevated tropical Darwin house. We moved into it in 1996. It was like a jungle that needed controlling. A scythe and a pith helmet wouldn’t have gone astray! Lol... seriously! Built after Cyclone Tracy in the late 70s, it was originally only an elevated and louvered dwelling with a storeroom and laundry tub under the house. We use to be able to drive through underneath, but that all changed as my family grew and we needed more space for personal sanity. We slowly built in underneath with final improvements in 2010. I had adult children return to live with us for a short time so we built a separate self contained dwelling underneath for them. After they left, the space felt sad and empty, but we didn’t want to have long term renters on the property. Hence the homestay scenarios began in our life, to offer some income, the opportunity to home improve and the flexibility, to keep it available for family and friends as well as the new friends that we make through Airbnb.. who return visit.

 

How long have your been part of the Community Center and why did you join?

I use to browse the Airbnb site and see the words “Community Center” without catching on to what it really was..... I looked at it a few times, but never got involved - life was too busy! There was another forum as well that I also visited for ideas, but here I kept my distance, and although it gave some good advice, it got pretty negative. One night I just happened to click on the CC tab and something caught my interest, and I read it. Then some more, and so it began. I come, I go, but I always learn something from the comments.

 

What is your favourite thing about the CC and if you could make it better what one thing would you improve?

My favourite thing about the Communjty Center is that it exists. It’s a stable for hosts and guests alike to visit for advise and hosting humour. Sometimes a thread can be very serious and the input from experienced hosts is invaluable. Other times what starts as a general post, ends up very funny with “global pen friends” joining in with positive banter. That is what makes the CC a live but also thriving community! The information gained and the positive interplay.

 

The one thing I would change if I could, would be the internet creep of negativity. We all at times come to the CC when we need help, and might be frustrated or upset... but any “troll like” responses full on negativity towards individuals can spoil the feel of “the place”. But may I say Lizzie and Quincy are quick to mediate and I thank them for maintaining a “really good feel forum”. I keep coming back to the CC because the feel is welcoming...... Knowing that the Airbnb “powers that be”, do actually listen via this forum, gives me heart for other needed changes within the rental platform. So let’s keep up the good work of helping one another....

 

If you could live anywhere else in the world where would it be? Why?

Gosh, where might I like to live? As a sixth generation Australian, I have lived in different cities and towns in the state of New South Wales, Adelaide in South Australia, and London in England where I met my husband Garry. But for the last few decades, Darwin in the Northern Territory has been home. Ahh, but only one lifetime! If money was no object, I might choose Canberra in the autumn, Darwin in winter, Chiang Mai or Hanoi in spring and Sydney in summer. But the crowds would get to me, so I would return to Darwin for our own humidity and the lovely storms! It’s about the lifestyle as much as the geography....that’s why we are still here... it gets into your veins. But never say never!

 

If you could have dinner with someone famous (past or present) who would it be?

Who might I have for dinner? I would be greedy and want two dinners. A dinner with some past relatives, grandparents so I could find out more about my history. Never listened enough when I was a kid... head off in the clouds!

But maybe I might cheat and choose a small eclectic group for Garry and I to share a bbq or some simple stir fry food with: maybe Barack Obama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Eleanor Roosevelt and Benazir Bhutto and Malala Yousafzai. Oh and JK Rowling and Bob Dylan for some extra bite and creativity... Now that would be some get together, a real weekender! Maybe they could have a group discount and we would fill up the other rooms in our own space. Lol....

 

What's your food weakness?

My food weakness is simple - it’s food! I’m a foodie! But my confession is resolute for dark chocolate with a deep strong orange rind flavour or with ginger - it gets me every time.

 

What makes you get up on a Monday morning?

I’m alive and I work! Lol....... Life has its sorrows and ups and downs, but you aim for the highs and keep them in sight. No seriously, I know I am loved and love back. I have a husband I love with our 40th anniversary this year. Woah! (Not bad since we got engaged 35 days after we met) I have three beautiful humans for our children who are all in loving relationships. I have four delightful and insightful grandchildren, with another due soon. I have friends from my childhood and new friends. So that’s what gets me up in the mornings....I am truly blessed. I use the internet to stay connected. I still work three full days a week away from any hosting. So that keeps me very busy. I try to maintain the balance between the work, the hosting, the family and the self. I’m not very good at the “self”, but the CC forum also falls under this category. If it wasn’t for the CC, I would never had made contact and met Robin and Ade! So the forum is REAL.

 

What do you like to do when you are not hosting?

I’m a procrastinator and a creator. I also love to veg out and do nothing... so I’m my own yin and yang, my own worst enemy! I like to maintain my “green” garden. I draw and would like to master paint and pastels. I like to fiddle with crafts etc, but not projects that take too long. I have many of them .... I love books, the cinema and imagery; and the fresh air and the green. I like to feel the wind on my face and the sun on my back. It makes me smile.....

 

Do you have a fun fact?

Sometimes I like to rhyme, because it’s fun at the time.....but not necessarily sublime. But that’s fine!

 

Anything to add?

Just be true to yourself, without injury or stepping on others to do it! Cheers my dears! Till the next forum thread......

 

 

A huge thank you to Cathie for taking the time to share a little bit more about herself. There are some great things here, I particularly like your dinner party! 🙂

 

Please do ask any questions about the above or share any nice comments, I am sure Cathie would love to hear from you. 

 

Thank you and enjoy!

Lizzie


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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

31 Replies 31
Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Thanks @Huma0, I am going to use this as my reason to power on and eat more of it! hehe 

 

Do you think there is certain level of cocoa (ie. 85%) it has to have to make sure it is as good for you as possible? For example is 100% best, even though it is rather bitter? 🙂


--------------------


Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

Huma0
Level 10
London, United Kingdom

@Lizzie

 

I'm not sure, but when I read up about it, I think the article said it needs to be minimum 70%, which is easy to find nowadays. I do often buy 80% and higher too, but when I told my mum about this, she started buying me the 90% Lindt stuff. I didn't have the heart to tell her it was too bitter. I did eat it anyway 🙂

I think @Lizzie@Huma0 is correct, from 70% & higher is helpful. But mainly 80% up! But you still shouldn’t go all out and eat lots, as sugars and quantity are still problematic, but the benefits of 70% higher can be very helpful to heart health. But than, so can an avocado or a few walnuts provide the good fats for cholesterol reduction. Like Huma said, the higher the cocoa content, the more bitter it is... But eating small amounts of a good dark chocolate, is very satisfying! 😍

Claire475
Level 9
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Thank you Lizzie and Cathie for such an insightful and uplifting posting. It’s was food for the soul. I found myself smiling while reading it. So lovely that you were able to give hosts all over the world an idea of who you are and what’s important to you. Thank you. 

Cathie,

your warmth & charm comes right off the page! As for the emerging chocolate thread- it was decades before I realized that my spouse Tom actually prefers milk chocolate. In my defense, in an early phone chat, I mentioned that I couldn't keep chocolate in the house without nibbling all of it right up, with the exception of unsweeted baking chocolate. "Well" said Tom, " If you eat it with a handful of raisins, it's pretty good." I got right off the phone and tried it. I think women have a biological need for chocolate, I don't know what Tom's excuse might be, Sally

Thank you for Community Spotlight post @Lizzie and @Cathie19

 

It' always a pleasure to get to know a fellow host a little better 🙂 and completely agree with everyone about dark chocolate. I personally like to have a couple pieces with my coffee in the morning for breakfast! 1549074995742.jpg

 

Linda1213
Level 6
Vero Beach, FL

That was a FUN read, thank you Cathie! Being a little bit of a ‘house ho’ i LOVE peeking at other homes throughout the world and seeing and learning how they live through the geography and architecture. Your corner of the world reminds me a bit of ours!  Australia, with all of its diversity is on my bucket list for sure!

your dinner party sounds evocotive and fun!

as a brand new host i appreciate the great and positive introduction! Thank you!

 

 

LBR

Welcome @Linda0. Yes we are a bit geographical opposed, samo samo. Same, same but different. You can get hurricanes, we can get cyclones. We have eternal sunshine and lively plants that grow in a blink of any eye. Humidity that arrives with a vengeance and departs us, with a flick of a switch.....

 

The geography of eternal holidays, if you can take it! Best of luck with your new hosting adventures. Stay smart and stay one step ahead... that way you shouldn’t run into too many issues.

Cheers from the Top End of Down Under! 🌴🐊🌏💐

🙂

@Cathie19  Hi Cathie, we loved your community contribution, may your cup runneth over always ... and agree about the chocolate ! It helps make the world an amazing place.

 

Your cheery & fun comments in this community, whatever subject it is, are always a pleasure to read.

 

Thanks a lot !   ;-D  ;-D

And thank you @Βασίλης-and-Ann0. I still get a vivid picture of you two innocent lovelies, running into “the mob!” Lol... 

J-Renato0
Level 10
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Beautiful story @Cathie19

I like reading what you write in this community.

As for chocolate types, I my favourite one is aslo the dark one.

Robin4
Level 10
Mount Barker, Australia

@Lizzie

Pair of bloody reprobates I say!

Lizzie you would not believe the conditions Cathie and Garry  live under. Could you imagine that every day of the year is above 30c ....there is no such thing as hot and cold, just wet and dry seasons. These people put up with conditions you would not dream of!

But inspite of all that, Cathie and Garry are two of the nicest guys you would ever meet. I have had the priviledge  of looking them in the the eye, shaking their hand and giving them a hug! They are prepared to put themselves out of their comfort zone for their guests.

I cannot conceive of a nicer couple than Cathie and Garry, you guys thoroughly deserve all the accolades you get, thanks for giving us a glimpse into your hosting live. 

Cheers......Rob

Reprobates indeed! Lol...

Thanks for the compliments Robin... I think they are reflective of both you and Ade!

 

By by the way, Garry & his brother are currently experiencing a windy Kingston on his arrival there today.. 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♂️

Miloud0
Level 10
Rabat, Morocco

Salute @Cathie19,

 

I thank you so much that you share with us your interesting ideas, life and hosting experience

 

Thanks,

Miloud

Thanks @Miloud0 for your response and your commentary within the CC. It’s great to hear from someone from your neck of the woods, within this global village! Keep well... 🙂