Hello! I am an idealistic, naïve young person who somehow still believes in the goodness of people and the possibilities of money-free hospitality. I enjoy conversation, music, art of all sorts, languages, nature, and hot beverages in winter; in general I try to live on a balance of lighthearted humor and a deeper life philosophy -- not that they're mutually exclusive.

I am a creature of the forest, where as a child I often found refuge from school, mostly figuratively, but also sometimes literally. Sometimes I feel like a stereotype of someone who always wants to be outside and is constantly referencing nature, but, well ... that's really who I am. I can manage in cities for a while but still need proper dosages of fresh air and daylight.

I grew up in a musical family and have played instruments for as long as I can remember. These days I mostly play Irish traditional music on the Irish whistle and flute, though I also dabble on the guitar and piano. I always travel with my whistle, which sounds a bit like this: https://youtu.be/XSbk8ElsKM0

I'm a worker bee and do not like to sit still for long, so I am always happy to contribute any skills I have in any situation.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here to meet folks and support all sorts of travel and cultural exchange. My partner Sandy and I are traveling in Europe right now and Couchsurfing seems like a great way to connect with both people and places.

At the moment I am learning German (Hochdeutsch), so another significant reason for being here is to practice with anyone who has the patience for my pauses and stuttering :)

Interests

• graphic design
• photography
• gardening
• gender studies
• language exchange
• nature
• permaculture
• social justice
• flute
• good conversation
• trees
• pedagogy
• environmental justice
• nature walks
• irish music
• climate justice
• anti-racism
• gender equality
• nature conservation
• kittens
• racial justice
• good coffee

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy sharing skills. Here are some of the things I have learned over the years:

+ Forest management and tree care, with chainsaw experience
+ Gardening and landscaping knowledge based on experience in multiple climates
+ Photography and photo-editing
+ Graphic design for print and digital media, including website design
+ Copy editing in English
+ Animal care, handling, and maintenance, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States