My name is Chelsy.

My soul is full of wanderlust and curiosity.

I love people, including myself.

I'm in a post-professional phase of my life - I had a stable career as an attorney for 5+ years before idealism, spirituality, love, desire, and wanderlust all mixed together with the knowledge that I wanted more for myself during this lifetime.

So, I (following the lead of my sometimes-partner, Nicholas), quit most everything that wasn't serving me including work, in search of something more soul quenching. Gypsy life...yes please!

My home resides within my heart wherever I am. If we share space, you will see my home and I can't wait so see yours. :-)

Both with Nicholas, and on my own, we are breaking down traditional ways of doing things by avoiding money, hotels, institutions, etc. in favor of trade, barter, and creating family/tribe. AND we are sharing ideas/love/friendship/authenticity along the way.

At the moment, I am slowly meandering from Southern California north toward Portland. I am traveling solo for the most part and I live in/out of my van. Meditation and self-care are mixed with nurturing friendships and supporting others in their pursuit of life. Every day is packed with learning and loving. I am, you could say, marching to the beat of my own drummer. On any given day, I might attend a festival, dance up a mountain, attend a spiritual gathering, make dinner for my friends (new or old), hermit in my van, take care of pets/houses, or something all together new.

ALSO, I am not a VERIFIED member because I do not support capitalism (i.e. payment of $50 to a company/institution). I believe that this forum to encounter other couchsurfers and hosts is extremely useful, but I do not believe that money is an appropriate means by which to measure member authenticity. The verification I will offer you is this, "I promise to bring my BEST SELF your home or be my BEST SELF when I host you in mine."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am a wanderer/traveler looking for real/authentic connection/community.

Interests

• dogs
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• painting
• live music
• intentional communities
• cuddling
• healthy eating
• hedonism
• self-improvement
• ecstatic dance
• self-awareness
• dehydrating food

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - At the moment, I love Kirtan or other yoga/chanting/sound healing type music. AND all music or silence that speaks to my body (ECSTATIC DANCE!!!)

Movies - I like movies that make me think and/or make me laugh.

Books - My reading pleasures include fantasy books about fairies, witches, dragons, or other oddball characters on some adventure, preferably with some humor infused. But, I also really like learning through books especially about variations of or challenges to societal norms. I recently enjoyed "Getting Stoned with Savages" and "Orbiting the Giant Hairball." The Tao of Natural Breathing is currently on my intermittent reading list.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every day amazes me, but swimming naked in as many beautiful places as possible is probably my favorite.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you have a dehydrator, let's make some veggie chips (kale, sweet potato, jicama, etc) or some zucchini "bacon".

What I Can Share with Hosts

Most people would tell you that I'm a warm person you could talk to about almost anything. I love to make people laugh and I'll do my best to play devil's advocate when requested. English is my first language, but if you speak Spanish or German, I'd love to practice.

If you don't wish to engage, I'm extremely self-sufficient and happy to respect quiet and/or privacy.

Most hosts tell me that Nicholas and I bring new perspectives, adventures, ideas, and laughter to their lives. They often try things that they didn't know existed right around the corner from their doorstep. We love finding the abstract, weird, cheap, fun, etc. within the places we visit/live/grow.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Spain