CURRENT MISSION

Explore and learn. Exchange ideas, share experiences and create new memories with others. Give back to the world.

ABOUT ME

I feel like a global citizen of sorts, having traveled extensively and lived in various countries since completing a degree in Anthropology and French in college. I work in the field of international development/non-profits and live a very active life. When I'm not working (which I do, a lot!), I'm usually filling my time with new adventures and activities like dance, enjoying the outdoors, and socializing with friends. I consider myself an artist at heart and am an aspiring photographer -- so I rarely go anywhere without a camera.

It doesn't take much to make me happy. It's the simple things that matter, like learning something new, appreciating nature, strengthening my friendships or meeting diverse types of people from around the world.

I've recently gotten married and am now getting used to family life, with a 7-year old step-son and a baby on the way!

PHILOSOPHY

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up....and it seems the more I learn, I realize the less I know. ;) I am amazed at the wide diversity among people, yet am constantly reminded that we as humans are actually the same deep down inside.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING (CS)

My first experience with CS was hosting someone when I lived in Rome, but I haven't been able to host as much as I'd like to. I've surfed a few times in Turkey, and a couple of my hosts became friends that I traveled with again on other trips. I also did CS across the USA on an East- to West-coast road trip, which was a great way to get know places through "the locals"!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I love the philosophy behind CS and the people I've met through it. Every experience has been a new adventure or learning opportunity. I've shared memorable moments and discovered the world better through them. And I'm looking forward to making even more new CS friends across the world!

Interests

Photography is my main passion and it's my dream to make it an actual paying job one day! I also love dancing (salsa, kizomba, belly-dancing and West African dance). I enjoy outdoor adventures and recreational sports (hiking, cycling, snowboarding, swimming). I'm inspired by spoken word poetry/slams, live music and nature. And I spend a lot of time traveling, learning other languages, and immersing myself in different cultures.

• photography
• dancing
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• live music
• spoken word
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• swimming
• anthropology
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I like reading -- especially non-fiction -- but wish I found more time to do it. I love music of all kinds -- depending on my mood, it can be traditional African (esp. from West Africa) or afro-funk, modern or acid jazz, soul and R&B, basso nova, salsa, electro-asian, deep house, or even classical. For movies, I prefer dramas documentaries, and many foreign films (except for most French films since they have such inconclusive endings -- desolée, mes ami(e)s français(es)!! I really dislike TV and didn't own one for almost 15 years.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

No superlatives, please! ;-) It's impossible to narrow down the "most amazing things" I've done or seen -- there are just too many. So much of life is amazing -- every person and place has something unique and special about them.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, India, Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Vatican City State, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guinea, Italy, Madagascar, Rwanda, Senegal, United Kingdom, United States

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