Hey, we’re the Bigeleisens! We are a German - Ashkenazi Jewish, multifaith couple. We’re musicians, philosophers, and travellers.

We are currently renovating our home in Germantown, Philadelphia, in Pennsylvania. Once our renovations are complete we'll update our profile with our purple guest room.

Annika: Whenever I summarize my life's journey so far into a few sentences, people think I'm just making it all up. Someday I'll write a book... :-)

In a nutshell, I was born and raised in Germany, married at age 20, went to a conservative bible college, became a full-time missionary, became a liberal, traveled the entire country (except Vermont. I still haven't been to Vermont) as a musician in a veggie run school bus, taught seminars on social and eco-justice at fundamentalist Christian establishments, played music at rainbow gatherings, renaissance faires, got divorced, moved back to Germany, became a raw food chef, worked in a chocolate factory, became polyamorous, moved to California, then Oregon, and finally met Aaron, eloped, and moved to Philadelphia.

Aaron: I grew up in upstate NY, and from the age of 16 became a youth opera star, going from singing competition to singing competition. I ended up going to the Eastman School of music for opera, and then I started to lose my voice. This sent me on a journey of self-exploration, starting with yoga and meditation, and culminating in me attending a four Alexander Technique (somatic/mindfulness modality) teacher certification. These days, I spend a lot of time singing, thinking about the world, and loving our two cats Ronja and Birk.

Recently we took in a little stray cat and named her Rascalina, so our family has grown. Our best friend is also moving in, bringing our household to three adults and three cats.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Annika: I love meeting people and traveling. I've had fantastic experiences staying with people in Germany and the US, and have enjoyed hosting people from all over the place.

Aaron: I love people. Something comes alive in me when I meet a new person. Also in letting myself get to know someone new, I have learned way more about myself!

Interests

Annika: I want to re-learn how to play the medieval German bagpipes. I still sound like I accidentally stepped on my cat's tail, but I am working on it. At least I no longer sway and threaten to pass out after the first song.

I am insatiably curious, especially about religion and spirituality, and love learning new things.

Aaron: more here later!

• cats
• writing
• books
• dining
• chocolate
• traveling
• music
• paganism
• polyamory

Music, Movies, and Books

I love PaganFolk, especially Faun, Wardruna
Nakho and Medicine for the People
Shimshai

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Annika: Living life on the road for three years. I encountered so many crazy, fantastic, weird, passionate, fascinating people, and got myself into so many hilarious and bizarre situations that I blogged extensively and intend to publish my stories.

Like that one time when our veggie run school bus kept breaking down and a group of Amish people thought it was due to demons possessing the engine, so they circled around the bus and performed an exorcism.

Or that time when we ran into a pastor who believes that aliens are really disembodied spirits of nephilim who are trying to re-create the human race by experimenting with human DNA.

Or the time we stole veggie oil from a dumpster behind the grocery store and the manager came screaming and running after the bus and we had to race the bus through the narrow streets of Boston suburbs.

Teach, Learn, Share

Annika: I can teach German (my native language) and I'd love to learn Hebrew and Spanish.
Aaron: I love teaching voice and Alexander Technique, and love people to practice my German, French, Italian, and Spanish with.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Annika: Lots of crazy stories, my curiosity for your life and world, music
Aaron: same!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States