CURRENT MISSION

fiercer delight, fiercer discontent.

ABOUT ME

My family moved cross-country a couple times when I was young, so I've never really felt settled. The best way to channel the restlessness has been to travel, both within the U.S and outside.
So far I've found no harm in trying everything at least once.

The best way to see what I've been up to (aside from asking) is Instagram: @gretchenbaldwin

PHILOSOPHY

Never say no.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I host whenever I can, though I've been leading a fairly nomadic and unsettled life for the last few years or so. I have been so blessed to find amazing hosts when I need them, and I can't wait to pay it forward by hosting more when I have my own place.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

CouchSurfing has been an incredible experience every time, and I hope to continue to pass it along. In LA we were welcomed with open arms by every single person who came through the house (and there were a lot!) In Boston, Omar took time out of his schedule to show us his favorite Boston nightlife, which we greatly appreciated after long, active days walking the city and seeing the history. In Buea, Nate, Margie and I soaked in the Cameroonian culture and the friendliness of Nate's neighbors. And when my roommates and I hosted in Holland, our Surfers took part in our 60+ invitee Thanksgiving feast. I love this network. There's never a dull moment!

Interests

Cooking in community, hiking, learning (ALWAYS learning,) trying new things, eating, beekeeping, community development, African politics, the nuances of language, memorizing lyrics to Top 40 pop songs. You name it, I'm probably interested in it. Also, too long in a city always makes me antsy. Forays into the outdoors are key.

• culture
• cooking
• walking
• nightlife
• politics
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

currently listening to: Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, The War on Drugs, Jason Feathers, Banks, Ben Howard, Beach Fossils, Death Cab for Cutie, Your Old Droog, The Tallest Man on Earth, Sia, Kendrick Lamar, Lord Huron, Milo Greene, Alt-J, Active Child, Volcano Choir, James Blake, How To Dress Well, The National, Keeps, The Soil and the Sun, Ta-ku, the xx, Typhoon, Father John Misty, Purity Ring, A Tribe Called Quest (always), Sufjan Stevens (duh)

just finished reading: The Argonauts, Giovanni's Room, Askari
currently reading: State Repression and the Labor of Memory, Touch, The Red Parts
up next: Rebel Music

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I dropped out of school for a short time in 2008 and got on a plane to San Francisco. I lived and worked with a homeless community there via the Missionaries of Charity (beautiful, incredible women). There's not a day that I don't think about the people I met there.

Nearly dying twice in one day on Mount Kabuye (Rwanda) was pretty amazing as well. Different kind of amazing, but amazing nonetheless :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Ghana, Morocco, Romania, Rwanda, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cameroon, France, United States

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