CURRENT MISSION

Sounds a bit corny but...To become more conscious and live life with an open heart!

ABOUT ME

After living in different countries in Europe in my 20s I lived in Southern California while in grad school and then have spent much of the past 20 years travelling and living in different countries, mostly tropical. Spent 6 1/2 years living and working in Papua New Guinea, which has been a huge influence. Am interested in how we create our own realities and how we understand our role in shaping and changing our lives and environment. And the path of "development" in different cultures around the world.

PHILOSOPHY

be kind and gentle
keep an open heart
go with the good energy
pick your battles wisely
see the humour
life happens through you not to you

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Most recently I was living in Cuba for a couple of years, and I used CS to meet people who were travelling to the island. Since CS doesn't work in the traditional way for accommodation in Cuba because of state regulations, I helped people find rooms with friends who officially offered accommodation to tourists in their homes and I showed people around and offered my perspectives on life in Cuba. Many people contacted me and I used to provide information on Cuba through CS. Now I have been travelling more again, sometimes returning to Cuba, and mainly in the Spanish-speaking world and it is great to have CS as a way to connect with people in so many different places.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I love the concept of global sharing and exchange and the wonderful gift of hospitality. My experiences so far have been very positive, I have stayed with amazing people and exchanged many things that make life feel richer. In all my travels around the world, I have also stayed with many people not formally CSers and been lucky enough to have experienced wonderful hospitality, warmth and kindness. I got to meet awesome people in Cuba and helped them to connect more with everyday life there, and my friends there got to meet some very cool people they would otherwise never have had the chance to know.

Intereses

being outdoors, nature, inter-cultural exchange, permaculture, social causes/change/education, anthropology, Freirian/critical pedagogy, meditation, camping, hiking, swimming, cycling, nutrition, growing food/food justice, solidarity markets/economies, languages, philosophy, neuropsychology, photography, environmental conservation, ecological restoration, the ocean, world music (especially West African and Cuban), skylights (yes...!).

• photography
• dancing
• causes
• education
• environment
• dining
• meditation
• traveling
• restoration
• socializing
• music
• world music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• anthropology
• teaching
• languages

Algo increíble que he hecho

My time in Ungakum village in Papua New Guinea holds a big place in my heart. But really, of course, all of life is so so amazing!

Enseña, aprende, comparte

Hmm. Maybe simply sharing stories and a genuine interest in this crazy, magical thing called life. Currently I am really interested in learning and sharing ideas about ecosystem/land restoration, sustainable food production and food justice, alternative economies and critical pedagogy. And I am happy to chat about things Cuban from the perspective of living there.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

The same as above :-) The vastness and diversity of this world and yet its smallness and the connection between people from its many corners.

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