I learned so much about life, human nature, and about myself through my travels. I dream of exploring all parts of the world...

ABOUT ME

Though I’m rather introverted, I’m very friendly and enjoy conversation. I am naturally curious and truly enjoy learning about other cultures and making friends all over the world... I love to laugh and enjoy life and friendship. Now that I'm an empty nester, I have more free time to do what I'd like which is wonderful.

When I travel I prefer to do it solo as long as it is reasonably safe - I'm married, but it's more fun traveling on my own at my own pace and at my own initiative (haha!) though I always try to find local people to befriend with. I enjoy planning my trips as much as the travel itself.. and I try to learn about the country I am visiting as much as I can before I leave. Discovering new things .. people , history, art, culture.. never cease to fascinate me. I am warm and friendly, but not a party person (I can't drink, either) and prefer solitude or being in a company of few I feel comfortable with.

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind. Smile Often. Forgive. I believe that everything happens for a reason and every meeting has a purpose. That is why we need to treat others with respect and kindness. We are all connected. I am a Buddhist by birth (though I am very open-minded to all religions.. my view is that all paths lead to a same place), so I take a view that life is suffering .. but we can try to live in the present moment and do our best to make the best of it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Unfortunately I am currently not able to offer my couch, but I would be happy to meet people and have nice conversations over coffee/lunch/dinner anytime :)

COUCHSURFING
I was able to meet some wonderful CSs and hope to meet more! I think there is so much potential for personal growth and enrichment by belonging to a community with shared interest such as this one.

Interests

Books, traveling/travel planning and dreaming about it, coffee, art, museums, live music, history, food, eating, ethnic cooking, walking, animals, dancing, volunteering

• animals
• arts
• culture
• dancing
• bollywood dancing
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• zumba
• walking
• traveling
• volunteer work
• socializing
• live music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy all kinds of books except romance and chic-lit 😆Nowadays I mostly read non-fiction and books on travel/culture. I also love good mystery, poetry, history, books on art, and children's literature. Sometimes I also check out Young Adult books (originally introduced via my daughter). I collect beatiful picture books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Completed the Trans Siberian railway trip in 2018. My life dream.

Taught English and Japanese to the disadvantaged students living in a small village of Siem Reap.

My decision to leave my native Japan to come to the U.S. because I wanted to change my life. I didn't know anyone here and spoke very little English. I still remember how seriously frightened I was when I landed in SFO. My life had gone through an incredible transformation since then. I am forever grateful for the opportunities America has given me, including the challenges and hardships I had to endure along the way.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd be happy to help anyone learn Japanese by being a conversation partner... can also teach you Japanese cooking. Love to learn/try any types of cooking/food that are new to me. I enjoy street food when I travel.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Colombia, Egypt, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, Japan, United States

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