I came of age (ages 13-18+) on Okinawa in the 1960s, when the island was the backyard of the Vietnam war. I left to attend journalism school at the University of Missouri. Married for 14 years to a Persian , and we have three daughters whose love and time we still share. In 1993, I left Seattle and moved to Cairo with the girls. Since then I have lived abroad most years, with short stints in the US between contracts. The girls grew up to be global nomads (as Mom planned), and they live and/or work abroad now. They give me interesting places to visit. I'm relocating from Costa Rica (after 4.5 years) and will settle in Bangkok in late 2017 with the youngest daughter and her family.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Why not? I thoroughly enjoy meeting people--particularly young(er) people--and exploring new areas. I enjoy visiting the usual tourist sites in locations and talking with the locals about local and international affairs.

Interests

Always have a SLR camera with me.

• arts
• architecture
• farmers' market
• outdoor activities
• street markets
• street food
• flea markets
• street photography

Music, Movies, and Books

eclectic taste in music--anything but rap or heavy metal. Especially like Buddha bar music--a compilation of lounge, chill-out, and world music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one? Raised three beautiful, amazing young women who are working to make the world a safer, happier, healthier place. I had the courage and vision to pack up in 1993 and move them abroad to a country I'd never visited, and we all had a most amazing journey in Egypt. It shaped their lives and was a great boost and direction for my career and life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I live my life with the principle found in many of the world's religions; Reality is whatever you Believe it is. And therefore I meditate to keep that principle foremost and my reality a positive experience. Since 2003, I've been promoting natural healthcare through a website targeting women. I have a forthcoming book on health self-care in the 21st century. Of course, I practice healthy living by cooking at home (a challenge when traveling!), practicing yoga (taking classes wherever I can find them), and should be doing more weight-lifting exercising! But I do walk a great deal!!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food!! Healthy cooking --your recipes and mine, gardening, walks in urban areas, hikes in the countryside (moderate, please!) Open to excursions --excepting high-adrenaline sports--I haven't done zip-lining here in Costa Rica and have no regrets!
I've traveled or worked in over 30 countries, am not going to list them all--Western and Eastern Europe, East Africa and southern Africa, Southeast Asia, China, Central America, and the USA.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Egypt, Japan, United Arab Emirates, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.