Hello, my name is Kristina. 😁

I try to be kind, open-minded, and empathetic. I am also an asker. :) https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/may/08/change-life-asker-guesser
https://ask.metafilter.com/55153/Whats-the-middle-ground-between-FU-and-Welcome#830421

I live with my husband, Ryan. Check out my references and his- he’s a sweet, respectful person. 😊 Here is his profile: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/ryan-smith-171. If you want to connect with him, you can send him a message.

I love talking for hours about anything that interests me or you. I can find common ground with anyone, you just have to be respectful and know how to have a conversation. :)

At the moment, not hosting.

I love cooking, especially without a recipe! Please share your tips and techniques or favorite spices with me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I want to experience the places I'm visiting as much through the eyes of the locals as much as I can. I want the world to travel to me when I am less able to do so.

When I'm able to host, I’m excited to share my local knowledge with travelers!

Interests

Language, traveling, cooking, Latin dance, exploring

• dogs
• chickens
• birds
• salsa dancing
• bachata
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• languages
• lakes
• the mountains
• pacific northwest
• arizona
• crêpes
• tucson

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy all music. Movies are ok, I mostly watch TV shows. I read books sometimes.

I tend to think real life is depressing and scary enough without having to consume horror or sad media as well, so I stay away from horror and also old comedy that didn't age well.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Lost 85 lbs/about 40 kg

I’ve visited Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia in a week of each other! and got lost in Slovenia on the way..

Summer 2018, I did a 6-week solo roadtrip through the Pacific Northwest where I mostly couchsurfed. I drove 16,000 miles in 81 days. I traveled to 11 national parks (Saguaro, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Rocky Mountains, Glacier, North Cascades, Olympic, Rainier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Badlands) and 7 new states (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, South Dakota), where I met amazing couchsurfers who opened their homes to me when I was still new to the community.

Teach, Learn, Share

I always want to learn more about everything.

I know a lot about languages and Language itself. I love learning about others' experiences and perspectives especially with respect to language.

I've been a college instructor, a substitute teacher, a full-time teacher, and I am therefore a lifelong learner. I have taught statistics, linguistics, middle school math, 4th grade, and two salsa (rueda de casino) classes.

I started doing Latin dancing in 2019, and now I do it all the time! I love partner salsa and bachata, and many other dances.

I genuinely love to cook, bake, and learn about food. Please share recipes with me! (so I can gain inspiration from them, and then proceed to cook without a recipe)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cool insights about language and culture, my experience as an immigrant (twice!), on CS, solo traveling, etc.

Knowledge of the basic salsa & bachata dance steps.

Empathy.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Macedonia, Malta, Northern Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States