I have a website: https://www.christievalentinbati.com/ **In lieu of couchsurfing references which I don't have yet because I haven't couchsurfed and none of my friends use couchsurfing I placed a photo of airbnb reviews to prove that I am in fact NOT a serial killer and will not leave your place in a wreck. *** (I have references now but who doesn’t want extra security that someone isn’t a serial killer). Not currently accepting guests because the people I live with don’t approve :(( I have a bit of a nomadic heart so bouncing around from place to place, checking out new scenes, meeting new people, and learning new things do me well. I figure I’m 5 years from getting rid of all my possessions, buying a van and just driving from coast to coast and going top to bottom.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

My family is so widespread and all over the place. I think as a result I am compelled to make friends everywhere and expand my network even larger. I feel like the best and most authentic travel experience is being with locals. I like seeing a city from the eyes of someone who lives there. They know the best spots to eat, drink, party, watch the sunrise, or anything else. It's great! I recently graduated from college and have tried to travel as much as possible since then, mainly because I'm desperately trying to escape Florida and trying to figure out where to move to next. So if I'm in your city I'm probably 1/2 being a tourist and 1/2 trying to see if it's somewhere I want to live. So far my tops are: San Fran (too expensive), Portland, NOLA, and NYC (because it's THE city). I just want to be where the art is.

Intereses

• cats
• poetry
• photography
• painting
• music
• hiking
• languages
• travel
• nature

Música, películas y libros

I like all kinds of music but my top artists of the year so far (according to Spotify and in no particular order) are Nina Simone, Pink Rhythm, Frank Ocean, Brockhampton, LCD Soundsytem, Beach House, and Sufjan Stevens. I've been recently getting back into old school blues and Jazz and have been listening to alot of Otis Redding and Etta James as a result. I have two degrees and one degree in English...so my entire life so far is reading and books. Books I'm currently read/have recently finished that are DESTROYING ME (they're really sad) are: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and A Little Life by Hana Yanagihara.

I really like poetry and recommend Mary Oliver, Kaveth Akhbar, Rumi, Morgan Parker, Kim Addonizio, David Baker, and Stephen Dunn. I could go on listing about 70 more people.

Algo increíble que he hecho

I lived in Italy for two months on a scholarship my school funded which was pretty awesome. I also shaved off my hair and went cross country by myself for two months (I live adventures in sets of twos) and used Couchsurfing the entire time (or I just slept in my car, quite often, in a Walmart parking lot).

Enseña, aprende, comparte

I can teach you to make some Haitian dishes and teach you some Creole or even Italian but fair warning though I am not a terrible cook I am by no means a great one either. I also want to do a photo series with the people who host me/ are my guest (if they are comfortable with being on film) and could share that project. I've traveled a lot: 17 states explored (not counting those only driven through), Iceland, Haiti, Italy, France, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and Mexico. I have a lot of stories I can share.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

I know my way around a few languages (Italian, French, & Haitian Creole). I could teach you a few phrases!

Países que he visitado

Costa Rica, France, Haiti, Iceland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Países en los que he vivido

Italy, United States