Hi! Karen from the USA here :) Nice to meet you! After 3 beautiful years living on a small remote island in Okinawa, I will be solo traveling around the world! Though I will no longer be able to host for the time being, I’d love to meet up & be hosted from time to time!

I'm open minded, easy going, optimistic, value the little things, absolutely love socializing with people, but also appreciate stillness, as well as being alone from time to time. Cooking is definitely one of my love languages and I would love to share recipes and try new foods! I also like to spend my time nature, especially in the ocean, hike, cycle, read, drink tea, take pictures, people watch, play card games, watch the sunrise/sunset, & learn.

I'm a big believer in the power of community, so I would love to build that on here and have friends from all over the world! Looking forward to meeting you!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To create meaningful connections, experience new things, share ideas, listen, and learn!

Interests

• culture
• photography
• cooking
• yoga
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• guitar
• hiking
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• eating
• food
• nature
• adventure
• stargazing
• ocean
• outdoors
• learning
• sharing
• mountain

Music, Movies, and Books

Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Music: Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader

Movie: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I swam with manta rays in Indonesia! I'm not kidding when I say this, but I was crying in my snorkel mask because their beauty really touched my heart no. After that special encounter, they quickly became my favorite animals!

My twin sister & I recently just spent 3 nights in the mountains on our first sister trip to Canada! It was our first backpacking trip & such a special experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can make a cup of masala chai & teach you how to play my favorite card game!

I would love to learn more about other cultures, photography, cooking, surfing, guitar, wood working, pottery, languages, foraging, fermentation, natural remedies, but open to learning anything!

Let's share recipes and stories!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Share stories, provide help in any way that I can, offer a listening ear! Be a friend :)

*will not be hosting for the foreseeable future!

If you made it all the way through my profile, then thank you :) if you would like to potentially be hosted, please choose 1 question and provide a well thought out answer...

1.) If you could choose one animal that would describe you as a person, what animal would that be and why?

2.) What would be a "perfect" day for you? Please describe it.

3.) If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be and why?

4.) If you could relive one moment from the past, what would that be?

Looking forward to reading your answer!

Lastly, I believe food connects people together, so I ask that if you are staying with me, to cook one dish showcasing your culture, or a dish you really enjoy cooking/eating!

Peace and love!

Karen

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States