I am living the dream in Costa Rica and have been for 9 years. I have a job that I love, friends that I trust and an amazing network of families that I am blessed to be part of. I travel when I can, for example, I am on my way tomorrow to Europe to hike the Camino de Santiago, something that I have wanted to do for a long time...now coming to fruition. I love the outdoors, hiking being my favorite activity with kayaking coming in a close second. I love to sail. I love to cook and eat and share life with new people. I have a somewhat diverse work history. I have had the pleasure of having many different types of jobs. I have been a first mate on a large motor yacht, been a nanny, done woodwork on sailboats, sea kayaking guide on the coast of North Carolina, pastry chef for a couple of different restaurants, a chef for a sorority house at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and owned a catering business for a number of years. I could go on, but I don't want to bore. Anyway, point being I try to live my life each day and be present and let tomorrow be on it's own.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think it is a great way to make connections because for me part of the experience of traveling is to meet people and hopefully make new friends. Staying with locals
instead of in hotels is a way to really immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy the benefits of local knowledge. I would be lying if I didn't say it was easier on the pocketbook, but that being said, I would rather spend money on food to cook dinner with my host(s) or take them out...not on expensive, cold hotels.

Interests

• wine
• movies
• traveling
• live music
• hiking
• food
• reading books
• waterfalls
• museums

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, United States