I'm Ione, pronounced like eye-oh-knee. I am named after the Ionian Sea!I grew up in Colorado and have spent the majority of my life there. I was raised in an alternative household, as my middle name is a grateful dead song. Since early on I have valued healthy food, and certain new age practices like tarot and astrology. I have always been involved with creativity and haven't stopped going to see bands play since my early teens. I have been a florist since I was in my teens as well, it was my first job and I have stuck with it since. I love flowers as a medium because of how I can curate naturally occurring geometric shapes. I have done flowers for event openings (like a Van Gogh exhibit) and have taught classes. When I'm home I help run door for DIY venues and am looking to learn how to run sound. I am an extrovert, my Myers Briggs is ENFP and I am a Cancer. I go on runs, do yoga, read books, craft, and spend a lot of time in the kitchen

My first notable experience with traveling was when, as a five year old I spent the summer helping my uncle run his farm in the Costa Rican jungle. I was doing everything from planting rows of seeds, harvesting fruit, to tending to the animals. My father has always encouraged me to travel. When I graduated he helped me plan a trip to this eco hostel bordering the Acadia National Forest in Maine. Since then I have traveled to places within the U.S. including Seattle, Portland, Austin, Los Angeles, and New York City

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I discovered I couldn't renew the lease on my renovated victorian era apartment complete with a clawfoot tub and chandeliers I was devastated. I ended up deciding that instead of living in a place that I wasn't in love with, to instead allocate funds towards travel to find where I wanted to move next. I have been traveling continuously since October, but only recently have I found myself overseas. Using family in Israel as a starting point, I will then be traveling through Europe and South America.

Interests

• literature
• poetry
• interior design
• fashion
• vegetarian
• vegan
• organic food
• yoga
• running
• walking
• raves
• flowers
• video games
• music
• philosophy
• art
• bars
• film
• health
• astrology
• museums
• games
• ceramics
• community
• tarot
• vegetables
• wellness
• coffee shops
• mid century modern
• postmodernism
• numerology
• shoegaze
• floral design
• horoscopes
• criterion

Music, Movies, and Books

I have always had a strong liking towards music, I find myself defining microgenres and making hyperspecific playlists quite frequently. But my favorite genre by far is shoegaze, which is a subgenre on indie rock originating in the late 80's defined by the loud distorted guitars and deemphasis on lyrics and vocals. I initially developed a fondness for it during the first lockdown in the U.S. when the loneliness and unsureness of everything lent into listening to music that felt similar to those emotions. I am also a frequent listener of goth/darkwave, twee pop, classical, and jazz. I am always looking for new, niche music.

The movies that I love are generally descried as indie and/or nonlinear. In no particular order my top three movies are Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders, Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore by Sarah Jacobson, and My Own Private Idaho by Gun Van Sant. I first watched Wings of Desire as a child on a day I was home sick with a high fever, I honestly thought I dreamt it for the longest time until I delightedly rediscovered it as an adult. I recently discovered Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore, I was drawn to it because Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys has a cameo role in it. I find the tone of it much more satiating than other punk/female protagonist movies such as Smithereens. My Own Private Idaho is just a very special movie to me, the dreaminess and swing between hedonism and loneliness has made it my comfort movie of choice since high school. I have a login for the Criterion Collection I am forever grateful for.

My all time favorite book is likely a chapter book from my childhood titled The 21 Balloons. It is about a man who decides to travel the world on a hot air balloon and encounters an interesting civilization. I was recently introduced to Joan Didion, I found her writing style to be a very prolific example of the feminine voice. Slouching Towards Bethlehem in particular is a book I will forever love. Another recent novel I read that I fell in love with was My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh, chronicling a woman who decides to sleep through a year of her life but ends up sleepwalking and having to pick up the pieces. I also enjoy reading Kafka, as I find his writing style to be very amusing. I generally enjoy philosophy and beatnik writers but since they are old favorites I try to branch out when I can!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One amazing thing I've done is survive a third story fall which required multiple surgeries. I feel as though having a near death experience so young really helped me grasp the value of all kinds of experiences you can have in life. This also taught me the value of health and treating my body well.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you lots of names of flowers, how to make a flower crown, or most things floral related! I can teach you a new cooking technique or vegetarian substitute for an item. Also I'm sure I can teach you the name of a new music genre. I would love to learn how to do anything! If there's a task you need an extra set of hands with, I will be there. It would be very special to learn more about the customs and values of wherever you are as well. I hope to share a good meal with you, and fun time spent together!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share a helpful hand, wether that's physical or interpersonal/emotional! I can share an extra set of eyes for aesthetic pursuits. Most importantly I want to share a sense of whimsy and playfulness that seems to be lacking in our adult lives.

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Northern Ireland, Poland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States