Not Verified
Rice Lake, Wisconsin, United States
@juliekelemen
Member since 2013
I can discuss and help others learn about communitarian housing alternatives. Also interested in discussions about exchange rates, currency exchange, duty free, haggling/bargaining.
Interested in Off-grid Living
Interested in Traveling
Fluent in English
Learning German
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
To learn and discuss various topics and to share information about what it takes to stay at or temporarily live in a monastery. (Top writer on the topic of monasticism on quora.com.)
Music, Movies, and Books
Music: Ska! Jazz fusion. Classical. Afro-Pop. Zydeco. Gregorian chant. British Invasion. Bluegrass. Newgrass. Electronica. Soul. Funk. Anything with BRASS instruments. Films: Foreign, comedy, drama, experimental, anime. Books: Non-fiction, especially history, current events, biography, how-to & DIY, philosophy, religion (all kinds), travel, diaries & logs.
One Amazing Thing I've Done
Resided (and residing) in a Benedictine monastery with sisters (nuns) as a live-in volunteer.
What I Can Share With Hosts
International cooking abilities; yard work; dog walking (in most cases) & care; cleaning; picking (produce); English & (some) German conversation skills; writing skills (including tutoring and ghost writing); ability to drive stick (getting rarer these days); child care (just one, please); storytelling; roofing (hammering shingles); jewelry chain untangling; silver & shoe polishing; flowering plant and houseplant expertise from working for florists; good listener and conversationalist (I.E. I don't hog the conversation, nor do I just sit there: I strive for BALANCE); meditation assistance and help; good companion for frail elderly.
My Interests
Two places I hope to visit some day: Argentina & Sicily, perhaps via couchsurfing.