CURRENT MISSION

soaking up the sun while tapping my foot and fingers to the mini jukebox in my head

ABOUT ME

I am sensible, calm, open-minded and independent. I try to make the most of each and every day by spending time with people I love, playing my violin, listening to inspiring music, reading (especially books and poetry), experimenting in the kitchen, and keeping a journal of my experiences and ideas.

PHILOSOPHY

I will count on quotes from some amazing people:
-'Real friends are a better — and kinder — reflection of you than any mirror.' (Gina Barreca)

-'Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.' (Victor Hugo)

-'Nos passions sont les principaux instruments de notre conservation.' (Jean-Jacques Rousseau)

-'Las utopías son destellos de la imaginación, aspiraciones casi inverosímiles que sin embargo llevan en sí mismas el germen de lo posible. Una generación sin utopías será siempre una generación atascada (aunque tenga la obsesión de la velocidad) e inmóvil (aunque se agite sin cesar). La utopía no comulga con la religión del dinero, con la mezquindad, ya que es, en esencia, una señal inequívocamente solidaria.' (Mario Benedetti)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I haven't been able to host for a while and won't be able to for a while yet, but all of my CS experiences in France, Italy, Spain and Canada have been amazing :D
I love to meet people at cafés and show them around!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have met some of the most interesting individuals well before joining CS. Places that come to mind:
-staying with locals in various cities in eastern Mexico (welcoming families who introduced me to their lives and never failed to cook up delicious, spicy storms in their modest kitchens)
-Atlantic Canada (home to some of the most friendly and musical people you will ever meet)
-staying with a Canadian friend in Bologna, Italy and exploring the best spots with her and her Italian friend (including several gelaterias...)
-'WWOOFing' on a fruit farm in central Portugal for a month in the heat of the August sun (World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farms -WWOOF- check it out!)
-Various cities in France (baguettes, fromage, vin in some gorgeous historic cities and villages)
-Asturias, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona (what more do I need to say!?)

Interests

Music (playing, listening, attending concerts)
Spending time outside (beaches, hiking, riding my bike): the sun is my magnet.
Traveling (especially when staying with locals) Reducing my impact on Mother Earth; every person has an impact and if we work together, we can truly change things.
Spending time with animals (especially dogs).
Keeping culture alive.

Music, Movies, and Books

I love movies that leave you in a state of reflexion at the end, preferably those which lead you to take positive action (by helping others, learning a new language, simply trying something new, etc.)

Music: a short list of some favourites:
To play on the violin: Dvorak, Debussy, Khatchaturian, J.S. Bach, John Williams, Arturo Marquéz

To listen to: Kings of Convenience, Norah Jones, Caetano Veloso, Pat LePoidevin, La Sonora Carruseles, Gustavo Santaolalla, Julieta Venegas, Alex Cuba, Great Big Sea, The Wailin' Jennys, Zaz, FM Laeti, Chantal Kreviazuk, Jesse Cook...

I love reading, especially historical fiction. This summer I enjoyed 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer. I recently read 'Volkswagen Blues' by Québec author Jacques Poulin. For a few years I've had a minor obsession with Spanish literature from both Latin America and Spain. I would love to start reading more literature in Portuguese to learn more about my family's cultural roots.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Tikal, Guatemala: ruins SO BIG they hurt your brain if you dare think about how they were constructed.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy teaching languages because they open up worlds of culture and possibilities.
I love having down-to-earth conversations with people from other countries; it can be life-altering.
I enjoy playing my violin, especially when jammin' out with others and forgetting about everything else...just living in the moment.
Releasing my creativity through ART (drawing, pottery, jewellery, painting).
I like expressing things through my writing.

I'd like to learn more about African, Middle Eastern and Eastern European, and Asian cultures and languages.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belize, Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bermuda, Canada, France, Mexico

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