¡Saludos!

My name is Aliana, I'm from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has been my home all my life but I have traveled many places including having lived in the United States for four years. When I'm not out and about in my bike under the sun, I'm a Philosophy postgrad student in the University of Puerto Rico and I'm also a teacher.
I live in Río Piedras which is a small university town in the Metro Area. The town has many small coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants and bars at modest student prices. I live near bus routes and train stops that are convenient for moving around to the best places to visit.
Although I'm not hosting right now because I am currently traveling I do enjoy meeting people from all parts of the world that are into developing ways of exchanging life experiences and alternative lifestyles.
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think this is an extremely beneficial way to meet people who are willing to make part of your experience traveling. It's also a way to open the door to a new way of exchanging. I think alternative ways of doing things, like traveling, broadens our perspective to so many opportunities that sometimes we deprive ourselves of because we are used to doing things a certain way.
I also believe that solidarity with housing shows a much more humane part of the world. It continues to give hope that the world can be a beautiful place.

Interests

• animals
• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• photography
• education
• environment
• cooking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• nightlife
• politics
• movies
• reading
• music
• live music
• outdoor activities
• teaching
• history
• journalism
• languages
• religion
• urban exploration
• nature
• queer

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm into Afro and Latin music. But I can enjoy pretty much anything when it comes to music. I really like to dance and go out dancing.

I enjoy mostly independent movies but I can watch a Hollywood here and there. It's really hard to pick favorites but I guess the spectrum lies from liking The Breakfast Club to City of God to Reservoir Dogs to Midnight in Paris and many more. Those are the ones I watched most recently. I'm into shows like Orange is the New Black, Sen8, Game of Thrones and Bob's Burger.

When it comes to books I really enjoy reading Philosophy and Poetry mostly. Favorite authors are Simone De Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Franz Fanon, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Gloria Anzaldúa, Audre Lorde, Rupi Kaur, Rumi, Alejandra Pizarnik, Julia de Burgos, Pablo Neruda, etc...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently went camping with a group of strangers for a 4-day trip in an uninhabited island called Mona which ended up being a 9-day trip. We got stranded on the island for an extra 5 days because the tide grew dangerously high and the boat could not leave the coast. The small island lays between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and when both these bodies of water meet they're a force. The trip ended up being one of the most amazing experiences I've had because getting stranded on a island with a group of strangers puts you in a position of working through so many things collectively. We had a blast and learned so much from each other. We all got back home safely and with stories to tell.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've been teaching as a career for 3 years now. I've worked with adolescents and adults. Most recently, I teach Spanish as a second language for adults at a language institute.
I enjoy exchanging experiences in education with other people who are interested in that field as well. I also enjoy talking about the humanities, Puerto Rico and life in general.

I'd love to learn to cook local food and part take in rich conversations about the place where I'm staying. It's history, it's beauties, it's current issues and it's particularities.
I'd love to learn to speak certain common phrases for moving around more easily and independently.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can be good company and cleanly. I am considerate of common areas and pay attention to detail.
I am also very independent so I won't be clinging on for help in most cases.
However, I'm open to enjoying time together and also open to hearing your recommendations for things to do.

I'd love to share experiences and stories while helping around the house with cooking and cleaning. I can also teach you a thing or two in Spanish if that's something that interests you.

Most of all I'm happy to be able to be your guest and I hope that our time together is memorable.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States