Hello! はじめまして。
I'm Annah Lauren.
I moved to Japan in May of 2018 and have worked as an Elementary School English teacher for 2 years in Sapporo! It has been such an amazing experience, but it is time for me to seek out new opportunities. I have been dreaming of going to Kyshu and Okinawa since I came to Japan, so I have decided to take the months of April and May to drive across Japan from Sapporo to Okinawa. Due to the Corona Virus, we have had to change our plans around and have rented a car for a month and are staying in the countryside trying to avoid major cities and crowds.
My Japanese boyfriend, Ryoji, has quit his job and decided to come with me! 嬉しい！We would love the opportunity to meet new people along our adventure, so I believe couchsurfing is the best route for us to meet open-minded individuals and fellow travelers.
I have hosted over 30 people at my apartment since living in Sapporo, so I am very aware of what a good couch-surfer looks like from the host's perspective. I am aware of my belongings and will leave your place as clean (if not cleaner) than I left it. We understand that this is not a hotel, but someone's home and will treat you and your home with the utmost respect.
Ryoji and I are very easy-going people. We are quite a funny pair since I don't speak very much Japanese and he doesn't speak very much English, but we are two people who love to laugh and enjoy other people's company.
I am more than willing to help with practicing English or to clean up around your home during the stay.
You can find me on Instagram for more information.

https://www.instagram.com/copper_top_thoughts/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am an avid traveler, so I know what it's like to show up to a new place with too much curiosity and too little money. Most of my travels I was able to stay for free with kind strangers and friends alike, so I want to be able to pay a collective debt I feel I owe. It has been an amazing opportunity to share my home with so many people over the past 2 years.
Couchsurfing is an incredible application for travelers who want to meet other open-minded individuals or to get to know the locals. I think traveling is enhanced by people, so couchsurfing makes more sense for me than traditional hotels. It does not interest me to isolate myself from other people while I am traveling, and through experience I have made some of the best memories through this application. I plan to make many more as I travel through Japan.

Interests

• cats
• writing
• environment
• walking
• reading
• music
• hiking
• rock climbing
• eating
• travelling
• new cultures
• new experiences
• plastic free

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Book: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Runner Up: Ishmael by Daniel Quinn and Civilized to Death by Christopher Ryan

Favorite Current Movie: The Imitation Game

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Gosh, choosing one just isn’t my way. I’ve traveled to 27 countries and each place holds a memory of an amazing act.
I think hitchhiking with a boy I can't communicate with very well is pretty amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: Whatever I know that someone else is interested in.

Learn: Anything you have to offer.

Share: Depends on how hungry I am.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can gladly share my english! I'm from the U.S.A and have experience working with Japanese kids and adults since 2018, and would be happy to have conversations to practice.
Ryoji is also learning English so he is always wanting to practice.
I love to clean and am a very organized person, and would gladly help around your home if you wanted.
I have traveled to many places, so if you have any questions about my travels or experiences I would be glad to give my advice.
I am also very passionate about the environment and keeping the Earth a sustainable home for all the creatures living on it. It's one of my favorite conversations to have, I would be glad to share what I know.
I am not the best cook, but I can try!

Ryoji worked as a 柔道整復師, which is close to a chiropractor and can help if you have any body pains! He uses massage and pressure point techniques on the muscles to alleviate pain and help realign the body.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Norway, United States