CURRENT MISSION

Meet interesting people, see amazing places, do fun things, and enjoy delicious food!

ABOUT ME

I'm fun, outgoing, and love trying new things and meeting new people. My husband and I love to travel together and be as active as we can in the places we visit. Our favorite part of traveling is the people we meet, the adventures we find, and the food we eat!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To connect with people from all over the world when I am traveling!

Interests

I love getting out of my comfort zone. I'm happiest when I'm learning and experiencing new things. I studied and love literature and art from all over the world. My husband and I are also avid photographers, hikers, and runners.

• arts
• literature
• singing
• dining
• chocolate
• food trucks
• running
• gardening
• shopping
• traveling
• music
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• wrestling
• rock climbing
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
Sigur Ros, Jonsi, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Miles Davis, Sondre Lerche, Bill Evans, Chet Baker

Movies:
Amelie, Dan in Real Life, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Truman Show

Books:
The Book of Mormon, Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre, Cutting for Stone, Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Canyoneering down a wadi in Oman or rock climbing in the Austrian Alps!

Teach, Learn, Share

For those who are visiting San Francisco and need ideas, here are a few favorites!

-Bike across Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and get food there while you stroll the cute little town, then either bike or ferry back. I prefer Sausalito in the evening because it's more charming, but don't start too late if you have to return rental bikes.

-Walk the Point Bonita lighthouse trail. This is just across Golden Gate Bridge (drive there) and you go on an easy walk to a bridge and lighthouse that overlooks the Golden Gate area where boats enter. It is a stunning view!

-You have to go to Off the Grid! It's at Fort Mason Center on Friday nights. All the food trucks of the city collect there with live music. It is so fun and delicious!

-Obviously get fresh crab along Fisherman's Wharf or clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls from Boudin Bakery near Pier 39. For sure stroll the pier, see the sea lions, go to the SF candy store and hot sauce shop, whatever. If you go to the sign that says Fisherman's Wharf and then walk straight back toward the ocean, you'll run into this charming little old-fashioned arcade called Musee Mecanique. Go beat the arm wrestle machine using like three people.

-Chinatown is always a fun stroll! And right on the edge of it is a fun restaurant called The Stinking Rose. Everything there is made with garlic and it's delicious, though it's expensive. But SF food is always fairly expensive!

-Alcatraz is amazing if you get on the Internet and buy tickets NOW

-Ghirardelli Square! Go into their chocolate store and they give you free chocolate squares. The sundaes and hot cocoa are overpriced but so delicious. It's a charming spot.

-Burma Superstar—best restaurant in the city hands down. Get the rainbow salad (featured on Food Network), the chicken curry noodle bowl, vegetable soup, chili lamb, and the Burmese version of naan. All to die for. Call ahead and put your name on the list so you don't have to wait an hour.

-Gray Whale Cove Beach! Quiet and warm and gorgeous. It's the beach just south of Pacifica, so a drive, but totally worth it on a sunny day.

-Hike around Land's End and explore! Such a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate and the Bay and just an amazing walk through the trees along the coast. Stop at Lou's Sandwich shop afterward because it's close and the sandwiches are AMAZING.

-Brunch at Sweet Maple (there might be a wait, so get there before 10). While you're there, be sure to stroll up and down Fillmore Street. My favorite street in the city! Or Chestnut Street is awesome. Both have amazing restaurants and fun little shops and boutiques. Eat at Fresca on Fillmore for amazing Peruvian food.

-Golden Gate Park has tons of stuff to see. The deYoung Museum, Japanese tea garden, buffalo park, all sorts of stuff.

-You must go to Bob's Donuts after 5 pm and ask for whatever is freshly made and eat it right there. Maple bars and kruellers are the best but go with whatever is fresh. Also if you like cream puffs go to Beard Papa's and get vanilla cream puffs. Orrr go to Bi-Rite ice cream. Seriously all worth it.

-The Cable Car museum is supposed to be cool but I haven't been yet so I can't say for sure.

-Stroll/shop around Union Square. There are sometimes street performers (also usually bums and protestors so be warned) and there are awesome shops around the area. Take the ride up the glass elevator so you can look over all of union square! So pretty!

-Go to Una Pizza Napolitana. People say it's some of the best genuine Italian pizza in the country. But it's expensive so watch out :) They close when dough runs out, so get there earlier evening.

-Drive around the Presidio and look at all the ginormous houses and walk along the coast. It's super close to the Golden Gate Bridge so you get great views.

-Window shop around the Mission. Just stroll up and down Valencia Street and pop in to all the hipster shops and taste the chocolate in Dandelion chocolate and all that.

-Drive to Alamo Square Park to see the Painted Ladies (Full Houses houses) and sing the theme song, as well as to Haight-Ashbury to check out the birthplace of the hippie movement :)

Don't hesitate to ask for more ideas and things to do. Happy to help!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Oman, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States