My name is Jillian. I like conversation, mischief, adventure, hilarity, and any tidbit that could show up on trivia night.

When I first discovered the wonderful world of couchsurfing, I was living in Paris where I had a dishwasher and exotic allure. After that chapter, I started a new one working in the non-profit sector that took me to New York City, Haiti, Mali, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Greece, Serbia, and El Salvador.

After living in a suitcase for a while, I decided to plant roots and change careers, which brought me to Berlin, Germany.

Alas, the winters in Berlin are cold and gray and I'm looking to escape the cold

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've surfed in Paris, Stockholm, Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Marseilles...the list goes on. All the hosts were very congenial and welcoming.

Interests

Jamming, riding my bike, and backgammon mainly.

• dining
• trivia
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• business
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books, generally: Fear and Loathing, Sirens of Titan, Lolita.

Lately: some book about music theory.

Movies, generally: Matrix. Non-Marvel movies.

Lately: The Substance.

Music, generally: Spoon, QOTSA, Arctic Monkeys, Wilco, Beatles.

Lately: Magic City Hippies

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most amazing thing has been the kindness of strangers. Just a few examples:

Once in Brindisi, Italy, I was lost on a bike, needed a phone, a phone number, and didn't know a word of Italian besides 'Acqua', which I also really needed. A family saw me looking desperate and took me in, rehydrated me, fed me, clothed me, gave me the internet, and a new chance at life. It was beautiful.

In a separate time in Italy, while passing through Sanremo on a solo bike trip, I was sitting for lunch on a park bench eating some meat from one hand and tomatoes from the other. An old man with a fanny pack shuffled towards me, took out a knife (fear gripped my soul), then took out a loaf of bread and a salt shaker, and put my food in a sandwich. All without saying a word.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you find yourself on a drumset, I will gladly teach you a few beats.

I can teach you any song on the guitar that's comprised of A, E, and D chords. On that subject, I would be grateful to learn a song or technique on that particular instrument.

I think mostly what I have to offer is conversation and gratitude.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories and banter.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Netherlands, Panama, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Central African Republic, El Salvador, France, Greece, Haiti, Mali, Nigeria, Serbia, United Kingdom, United States

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