CURRENT MISSION

to meet new and interesting people

ABOUT ME

hmmm, I would say I'm a creative, artsy type and love all types of fine arts and music. I do photography and make jewelry as hobbies. I like challenges and never give up until I've reached my goal. I'm burnt out on the 9-5 and am seeking a way to escape the madness and live a freer life. i can be pretty pensive and analytical at times, but i love to laugh and have fun. i love those moments when i can connect with others or with my surroundings. i'm into the outdoors - i love hiking, outdoor sports, swimming, the forest, the beach, animals, plants, etc. i also love dancing till dirty and sweaty cuz the music and the vibe is that good.

I got a Rotary scholarship to attend UWI in Barbados to get another Master's Degree - this time in Natural Resource Management. I'll be there from August 2010-???? I would love to meet smart, outdoorsy, artsy, fun 30-something folks in Barbados.

PHILOSOPHY

i believe strongly in respecting the earth and "doing no harm" to the world around us. i believe life is a constant journey, and we never stop learning. i believe in equity and justice and honesty. i like to connect with people and understand each other and work together to improve self and the world around us.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I occasionally host surfers and organize local events. I met really cool people through CS!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

stayed with, and met, some amazing people in brazil. organize events in miami as well and host occasional couchsurfers.

Interests

art, music, crafts, languages, travel, environmental conservation/ecotourism, animals and plants (medicinal, health, etc), dance, photography, traditional/"alternative" healing, buddhism

• animals
• birds
• fish
• arts
• humanities
• photography
• dancing
• dining
• crafts
• politics
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• fishing
• hiking
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• buddhist
• sports
• swimming
• business
• history
• languages
• ecotourism
• beaches
• mountains
• last minute travel

Music, Movies, and Books

music: afrobeat, funk, hip hop, samba, malian (african) music, soukous/zouk, soul, reggae, house
books: edgwidge danticat is my favorite author - she writes mostly about the haitian diaspora and women's experience in particular. i love the magazine Ode for its optimistic view on the world.
movies: i haven't seen any in a while, but the latest movie i saw and loved was "the science of sleep"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Brazil - chapada diamantina national park, snorkeling and scuba diving in fernando de noronha; beautiful sunsets; abseiling; the people
Senegal - watching birds dive from the sky to fish over lagoons and wide open spaces of baobab trees
Nigeria - clearing new paths up mountains with no trails
Haiti - turquoise watering holes and waterfalls, mountains, beaches; seeing the impact of US politics on everyday people in other places
Guinea Bissau - untouched, tropical islands, matriarchal societies, almost dying in a small powerboat
Mali - sweet people, where history intersects with the present
Benin -- first experience abroad, quite life changing
NY - where all cultures meet
Ghana/Togo - almost missing my flight home while stuck at a border due to last-minute changes in election dates

Teach, Learn, Share

i can teach english and french and show you how to "green" your home or business. I'm a food justice advocate so we can prepare healthy foods together. i can share my experiences living and working in west africa and haiti. i'm sure i would know better once i meet people and we find common ground.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mali, Trinidad and Tobago

Countries I’ve Lived In

Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, United States

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