CURRENT MISSION

Getting back into hosting Couchsurfers, as I just bought a condo near Lake Michigan last year. :) I have three cats who are AWESOME and cuddly, but if you're allergic or don't like cats (um...what's wrong with you???), you'll need to look elsewhere.

I can also offer a discount on my walking tours, which are ranked on TripAdvisor as one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago. My business is called Inside Chicago Walking Tours. I'm offering a 50% discount to couchsurfers and their friends for any of my public tours: you can use the code "COUCH2019" to get 50% off your purchase when you book through my business site (www.insidechicagowalkingtours.com). I'd love to show you around!

ABOUT ME

I like to laugh, read, travel, dance, cook, and meet new, interesting, and kind people. I like spicy food, autumn, thunderstorms, foreign languages, Modernist literature and Stoic philosophy, and animals (especially cats). My favorite way to get to know a new place is by getting lost in it and finding my way out.

I am easy-going, respectful, polite, and friendly, and make good company for people who are respectful and friendly too.

PHILOSOPHY

I think I'll use the words of Dr. Seuss: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

So far, I've only surfed in one other place, but I've hosted a number of people a few years ago, and am now starting to host again. I currently live in Chicago, a 25-minute drive from downtown, or a 45-minute ride on the train, and only a block from Lake Michigan! I would love to host people from around the world and give them architectural tours of this beautiful city!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted several people from around the world. All great experiences.

Interests

Improv comedy, swing dancing, reading, travel, foreign languages, architecture, cats and other animals, cooking....

Music, Movies, and Books

Good scary movies, good foreign films, good dramas. I like lots of kinds of music--Tom Waits, Bjork, opera, base-y techno and breaks music....

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Views from the tops of mountains in Austria, one of my favorite places.

Teach, Learn, Share

I always welcome language exchange: French, German, Italian. I am a great English teacher, if you need help with anything written, read, or spoken. I have a knack for explaining the details of language--particularly English--so that people can understand and master it.

In terms of what I can share, I can share my love of improv comedy and literature with you, as well as my love of architecture--even possibly giving you a tour of Chicago's architectural gems along the river.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, France, United States