I love meeting people from different cultures and most of my friends are internationals from all over the world. I relate best to open-minded, traveling souls who see beauty in the world.

I've been involved with a lot of sustainability-oriented stuff, from community gardens and bike advocacy to transition towns initiatives, and I am a strong believer in the power and vitality that comes from building community.

Currently I'm working as a mechanical engineer but my main background is wildly creative. I'm on a mission to connect the dots and get in deep with product design.

I've followed my heart in this life and have taken plenty of risks, and don't regret a minute of it. Bring on the next chapter!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I was living in the University town of Dunedin in New Zealand for about 12 years, being a Mum, studying endlessly and meeting people from all over the world who were coming to study or work. I didn't use Couchsurfing officially but I enjoyed hosting travellers, visitors and friends-of-friends as a steady stream of cultural inspiration and connection... armchair-travel!

Now it is my turn to unsettle-down and travel and work in different places. Couch surfing will allow me to meet like minded people, to connect and belong to an international group of fellow roamers, and to not be alone in wonderful new places. See you there!

Interests

Mad keen on nature and wilderness. Love tramping, mountaineering, camping and anything that gets me out in nature.

I play Capoeira Angola, a dance-fight that also involves singing and playing musical instruments. It's really fun and creative!

I'm a committed bike commuter and love seeing biking infrastructure being developed.

Finally, I love heading out into the landscape to sketch and draw. I enjoy the peace and working with my hands.

• culture
• singing
• design
• beauty
• dancing
• capoeira
• dining
• wine
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• drawing
• cycling
• camping
• mountaineering
• surfing
• engineering
• science
• social science
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Tcheka is my biggest musical inspiration at the moment, and other musicians of african influence like Miriam Makeba and Rokia Traore. Kronos Quartet is a long standing favorite. Also loving latin, classical, samba, reggae, 70's rock, some heavy metal, pretty varied musical diet.

Books - Dostoyevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' changed my life. My fave reads have been the bits and pieces of literature I've found time for, from Gogol's 'The Overcoat' to Emile Zola's 'L'Assomoir', all the jems from Gabriel García Márquez and Isabel Allende, Henry Miller of course, and Gina B. Nahai's 'Moonlight on the Avenue of Faith'. Magic Realism is a favourite genre.

Movies. Turtles can Fly. Match Point.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

By far the best thing I've done is raising an incredible daughter who is now an inspiration to many. Wwoofing with her in Italy for several months is one of our favourite memories.

Sold heaps of my own handcrafts and jewellery throughout New Zealand, and toured the US west coast to have a go at distribution there. Exhibited jewellery, handcrafts and artworks, and employed others to make them.

Then I followed my heart and studied mechanical engineering!
I also completed a social science masters on sustainable practice (culture and governance) even though it nearly killed me.

In the distant past, I lived and travelled in a vintage half-cab bus, with no power or phone, for a couple of years. This meant living on a beach or beside a river, chopping wood with an axe, carrying water etc. A pure and simple life!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - Gardening skills. Capoeira Angola. Wild food gathering.
Learn - about your place, your landscape or city, and about your culture and background.
Share - good food, of course! And great wine too.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can prepare fresh, whole food to share - the international language of sharing, caring and exchange.
I can tell you about New Zealand.
I'm a pretty good proof reader (english) too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, New Caledonia, Panama, Singapore, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy