Hello! I'm Ani :)

I think couch surfing is a wonderful idea, connecting people from all walks of life. My experiences have been very positive and I'm psyched to host others when I return home (whenever that may be haha).

I work in a kindergarten that runs a bush kinder program. It's based on forest schools in Scandinavia (hence my travels that way to find out more!) I'm really interested in learning more about the benefits of creative un-structured outdoor play for young children, particularly on their mental health. I like to know what makes people happy and I know that nature can play a big role in that.

Back home I also volunteered with a dancing group for adults with disabilities. We always had so much fun dancing and singing and having a good laugh. I love to dance.

I enjoy living quite simply. I try to be as minimalist as I can but I just love hunting for colourful funky clothes at op shops and markets! Starting to realise this isn't so easy when you're carrying your whole life on your back.

I like sunflowers :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I know on my trip I'm going to meet lots of new and interesting people. But what I would really like to do is try to be really open and honest with the people I meet, particularly the people I stay with, and try to reach an even deeper level of understanding each other. That's when my true self really comes out and that is a good thing for me to try and learn. I believe we are all one, made from the same thing. Everyone here just wants to be happy and understood. My motto is to treat others how you would like to be treated. To show others respect and kindness and to understand that despite our surface level differences, we are all connected and that is a very powerful and beautiful thing :)

Interests

• festivals
• dancing
• running
• meditation
• hiking
• camping
• basketball
• buddhism
• karate
• drinking tea
• barefoot running
• swimming in the ocean
• listening to the birds

Music, Movies, and Books

I like watching documentaries about different places in the world/lifestyles/the amazing natural planet.

I'm open to all kinds of music but my favourite memories have been dancing to techno/ electro / soft trance (especially under the moon and stars in the aussie bush!)
I've been listening to Carbon Based Lifeforms and a lot of hang music recently. And anything with the didgeridoo.

I would really like to learn to play the saxophone. I'm not sure what draws me to it. I enjoy listening to jazz but something about the saxophone really jumps out at me. So if anyone plays this beautiful instrument I would be so grateful to learn more about how it works.
I also enjoy a bit of reggae :)

At the moment I am reading some books written by Ajahn Brahm, a Buddhist Monk living in Western Australia. Also anything bush kinder/forest school related!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked for 5 days up to the top of Machu Picchu!

Sold most of my possessions to travel through Europe for an indefinite amount of time (which I have to keep reminding myself IS amazing - it never seemed like a crazy thing to do, it just felt right).

Worked as a play-buddy for a young boy with Autism.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to share my experience of living in Australia.

I can share some of the wisdom I have learnt from the many mindfulness podcasts I listen to and books that I read. I love to learn anything about meditation.

I can share what I teach the kids at Bush Kinder! And what I know of the Australian landscape.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Peru, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia