Seattle native - cycling, rock climbing, sometimes kayaking, loads of hiking! Non-proft administrator - fundraising, human resources, program management. Currently working for women's social services agency YWCA. Enthusiastic ukuleliest.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted, surfed, and recommend this site to all the unacquainted. I never want to pay for hostels again as CS is the best way to go - meeting fun loving locals who can show you the best sides of their town! I have countless experiences in which I've hosted someone at my place, made fast friends, and then surfed with them some years in the future. It's one of the most beautiful examples of globalization I can think of.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed all throughout Latin America from Peru to Mexico, and hosted a lot in Mazatlán, Mexico. I also surfed in Berlin, and met up with CSers in Nice. I have hosted surfers in Seattle and lots of times at my place in Vancouver BC.

I also regularly attend CSing meet-ups in Prague.

Interests

I worked for years at the UBC English Language Institute helping international students get adjusted to life in Canada and speaking English. This was the best job anybody could have. As an American living in Canada, I love to compare and contrast these similar yet distinct cultures, and to learn about other ways of life as well.

As a pacific northwesterner, I spend as much time as I can outdoors- soaking up the sun when there is any! I love to hike, river-raft, cycle, scuba, snowboard, snowshoe, camp and recently even tried bouldering.

I also am reading a novel at all times. I recently read a few by Murakami, and my favourite authors include Rushdie, Vonnegut, Garcia Marquez (who I've read both in Spanish and in English). I've been on a sci-fi binge lately - Stephenson, Scott Card, Asimov.

I like to sing, strum the ukulele, make jewelry and small sewing projects (other crafts too), garden, cook, and volunteer for cultural festivals & healthcare organizations.

• writing
• books
• singing
• festivals
• cooking
• crafts
• gardening
• reading
• bouldering
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• scuba diving
• snowboarding
• snowshoeing
• rock climbing
• teaching
• freelancing
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I really like Roberto Bolaño; I think I enjoyed Savage Detectives more than 2666.
I read Orhan Pamuk in Turkey and wasn't blown away, but I've decided to give him another chance.
Any and all Murakami.
Big ASOIAF nerd.
I'm interested in starting to break into the world of comics and graphic novels- I've read Watchman and Asterios Polyp but am basically new to this genre.

Maybe its cliche, but I'm definitely in the cult of Lebowski. I love most other Coen Bros too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Trekking through the Andes and then climbing Macchu Picchu was easily one of the most breathtaking things I've ever done. Everybody must visit this sacred Inca site at least once in their lives!

I also learnt to scuba dive in the Caribbean. I thought I'd feel clausterphobic but it was quite the opposite. I realized what a perfect place this was when I tried scuba in BC and could barely see anything!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Poland, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Czech Republic, Mexico, United States

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