CURRENT MISSION

Collecting stories to tell the grandkids

ABOUT ME

I am volunteer coordinator in a project based in Ocotal, Nicaragua that deals with work-exchange, local foods, a small school, and coffee agriculture. I believe that if everyone just did good when they saw the opportunity around them the world would make great changes for the better. I spent some time teaching in Cofradia, Honduras and in Salasaka, Ecuador and am now trying to get involved in a longer term project.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe helping people and trying to do good. Being friendly, kind and compassionate is the secret to happiness.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've only done a little bit of couchsurfing through the website, but I love the cultural exchange. I hope to be able to give some people a place to stay in return for the people who've helped me out. If I can't host you, maybe I can show you around Ocotal and Nueva Segovia. It's a region filled with hidden gems.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I think I owe couchsurfing a lot. Not only has it introduced me to some incredible people in Central America and allowed me to see parts of life here that I'd have never seen otherwise and get involved in some incredible projects, but it introduced me to my current boss. Now that I have a fixed residence with a little space in it I'm happy to be able to give back.

Interests

I studied painting and spend most of my time outside of work writing and reading. I love all creative practices. I enjoy teaching English and couldn't do without my afternoon classes. I also have a real appreciation for the power of good agricultural practices to change lives and economies.

• arts
• writing
• literature
• coffee
• reading
• painting
• agriculture
• teaching
• volunteering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Casablanca, Midnight in Paris, Waste Land, Night of the Iguana, cheesy horror

Music: Modest Mouse, Conor Oberst, WAVVES, Neutral Milk Hotel

Books: Gravity's Rainbow, East of Eden, The Sun Also Rises, The Orphan Master's Son

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've had a lot of amazing adventures, gone to remote indigenous villages, climbed mountains, slipped across borders, but I have to say, the most incredible of all was seeing a kid learn, like when a student of mine asked me 'Have you seen Nayeli?" correctly using the present perfect in a sentence.

Teach, Learn, Share

English teacher, permaculture enthusiast, painter, lover of all arts and literature

Countries I’ve Visited

Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Italy, Panama, Russian Federation, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Honduras, Nicaragua, United States