ABOUT ME

I'm a criminal defense lawyer and former political organizer who has spent much of my life fighting for social justice. I have great difficulty with the turn to the religious right the US has taken. And now with the Trump inexplicable phenomenon I can only say we are living in scary times. I try not to judge a person's personal behavior but professional and political actions are another matter. I don't suffer fools gladly in the political arena (but not opposed to silly behavior in the pursuit of a good time). Maybe if people had more fun they'd have less of an inclination to do harm to each other.

I was one of the early women's rights activists in Arizona being one of the original cofounders of the Tucson Women's Political Caucus which became the Arizona women's Political Caucus. Women's Equality Issues are how I started my political activism in the 70s (as well as opposition to the Viet Nam war). I've also spent time teaching women how to become politically active and run for office.

I spent a good number of years as a political organizer in the Democratic Party. I worked for McGovern in the 70s and am still too far to the left of center
than the vast majority of the electorate of Arizona, the state in which I live. I've also worked national campaigns. I am an extremely efficient person when something needs to be organized.

I spent a lot of years defending and working with children in the criminal "justice" system in Arizona. We seem to have a special rapport. I never had any of my own but have routinely borrowed kids from friends and family for activities and travel adventures. I am Aunt Barb to lovely brats ranging in age from 40 to 3. They are some of my best travel companions. The general welfare of the children of this world is a particular passion.

My greatest joy is that I have an abundance of friends of many different persuasions...age, nationality, ethnicity, sex, sexual preference, religion (though religion is never a topic for discussion with me). My life is filled with glorious diversity. I've been told that I never meet a stranger. I love encountering new people and hearing about their lives. I relish living alone but enjoy having visitors. I used to be quite a good cook but now rarely do it. Rather than dinner parties I do restaurants. I still make a mean breakfast though.

In the last few years I've come to believe that the material things we acquire in life merely weigh us down. In service of the goal of lightening my load I've gotten rid of most of my possessions...my condo, my furniture, much of my clothing and an array of personal items. I've reached the point where I am down to the contents of a backpack and am heading off on September 29, 2016 to wander around the world to many of those countries I have yet to see. I think of myself as a citizen of the world and hope to spend the last day of my life somewhere new and exciting doing something foreign (to me) and interesting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm fascinated by the idea of it. I'm really don't like the idea of visiting a country and just meeting people who are employed to wait on me at hotels and restaurants. I've met a lot of wonderful folks in the world by staying at B&Bs or small family run hotels and now I'd like trying it up a bit closer. I'd also like to stretch my travel budget as far as possible to keep going as long as I can.
I'm someone who is always open to new adventures, meeting new people and trying new things.

Interests

I enjoy spending time with interesting people over good food with stimulating conversation...or just goofing around.

I love wandering around ancient ruins...I should have been an archeologist instead of a lawyer. I'm thrilled at the times when I'm sitting on top of a pyramid in a jungle somewhere and I feel the presence of all those who sat in that very spot before me. Heady stuff.

I relish alone time spending it reading, doing crossword puzzles, watching movies.

I'm especially fond of children…all ages. Love hanging out with them.

I love photography. I take lots of travel pictures. And while I have a good eye I'm a technological boob about many aspects of my camera.

And of course, travel. I can't imagine what it would be like to live a life without the joy of travel. A few years ago I spent a month with my backpack traveling through Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Not nearly enough time but a wonderful adventure. A young couple I became friends with in Peru recently got a visa to come visit . That was special.

• performing arts
• architecture
• street art
• photography
• dining
• wine
• yoga
• politics
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• law
• massages
• archaeology
• art museums
• crossword puzzles

Music, Movies, and Books

Don't like my movies to be too serious most of the time. Had too much drama in my professional life... though I'm still addicted to a good documentary. I like small foreign movies and and big action hero blockbusters. I love all the Marvel Comics fantasy characters with the exception of Captain America. He's really not my cup of tea. Love the Bourne series (but then I loved him in the books).

Two of my all time favorite books are Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver and Bel Canto by Anne Patchett. I enjoy historical fiction and the old time spy novels, particularly John Le Carre.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Standing amid the ruins of Machu Picchu after the crowds had gone with a full moon and someone playing pan pipes somewhere on the mountain in the mist .
It was truly magical.
Before they built the big resort/spa on the mountain there was only a small hotel with 30 some rooms. A worker at the site took me in after closing time as a special treat…and I'm sure quite against the rules. A treat it certainly was. We saw not another soul that night and I felt as if I were in another world.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would like to spend time wherever I am helping people to learn english. I used to tutor teens to help them get there GED after they'd dropped out of high school. I think I'm fairly good at it.

I would also like to explore volunteer opportunities in the locations I travel. I've only ever done volunteer work in the US but look forward to expanding that to the countries I'm about to visit.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a considerate house guest willing to join in almost any activity. I think I have much to share given that I think I've had a fairly interesting life thus far…and it's about to get much more interesting. And lord knows, I'm always willing to share my opinions and hope others share theirs.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Bolivia, Cambodia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States