CURRENT MISSION
I'm north of the border until the CV19 stats diminish. Unfortunately, I don't feel this a good time to surf given that CV is mostly transmitted via community spread. I'll host visitors when all is well.

ABOUT ME
Open-minded, lively conversationalist in English and Spanish. My default mood is happy. I love to meet people and hear their stories, ideas and dreams. Kinda techie, geekie, bookish but finally found the 250 Ninja of my dreams. If I don't reply to your couch request, it's probably because I've travelled to or working in a place that doesn't have Internet service. As a mother of three daughters, I knew the risks they faced when traveling alone. Thus, as a host, I provide a safe and interesting haven for fellow travelers.

PHILOSOPHY
Para mi solo recorrer los caminos que tenga corazon, qualquier camino que tenga corazon. Y la unica prueba que vale es atravasar todo su largo. Y por ahi yo recorro, mirando, mirando, sin aliento.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hosting Couch Surfers. Volunteering with Organize America to register voters, merperson-algae-scrubber at DeLeon Springs State Park and as a math and reading tutor for migrant laborers' children. Volunteering with the Sierra Club and Toronto350.org. When I stay at friends' houses my contributions are making traditional meals or doing sewing repairs.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Hosted a most interesting fellow-surfer, Ed Dingeman from Jensen Beach, FL, surfer Dave Zekveld, a man on a Kawasaki motorcycle with a mission to travel through all 50 states and the Canadian provinces and from France, Minh-Nhat Buit and fellow traveller, Augustin. My latest surfer (10/12) was Peter England of New Zealand--a one-man CS ambassador. Even my kitty cats dug him. Was the guest of Nigel in St. Petersburg, FL, what a great dynamic host! Glad I got to host Nigel at my house after our community dinner. He brings alot of verve to any conversation. Most recent hosts were Nancy O of Athens, GA, Chuck and Deana of Burnsville, NC and Matthew Bajaj of Boone, NC.

Interests

Arts and sciences. Even politics and the economy. Mind-melding. Boogie-woogie a little on the piano. Sustainable construction, growing timber bamboo, Argentine tango and contra dancing. If you can lead an Argentine tango, I'm a good follower and dance partner. Just earned my Florida motorcycle certification! I'm interested in everyone and any place I can put my kayak in the water.

• arts
• concerts
• dancing
• tango
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• clubbing
• gardening
• shopping
• politics
• news
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• piano
• outdoor activities
• canoeing
• kayaking
• swimming
• teaching
• mathematics
• volunteering
• beaches
• parks
• transcendental meditation

Music, Movies, and Books

Most influential book series, The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant. Music-The Lost Cuban Trios of Casa Marina, Bon Iver to Teleman, Lyle Lovett to Tito Puente; many lists of many things. I'm really fickle w/movie favorites. Right now my favorites are Adam's Apples, MIB3, Agora and Inception. I can play a Beatle song or two on my recorder or piano.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Earned my Florida motorcycle certificate, then found the motorcycle of my dreams (really, it's just because I can get both feet on the ground). Walked and photo documented the Peoples Climate March in NYC, 9-21-14 and the Women's March on Washington, 1-21-2017. Travelled from sea to sea via the Trans Canada Highway. My photo series, "A Canadian Paradox", was accepted for the Scotiabank city-wide CONTACT photography exhibit.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: math and English turoring. Can share my skills: construction cost estimating, minor irrigation repairs, sewing repairs and minor alterations--buttons, hems on dresses or jeans. Digital photography and software like Photoshop

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to treat you at your favorite movie or coffee house. If you like, I'd be happy to prepare and share a regional Tampa-Spanish style meal for you. Will cajole you to attend a local contra dance with me. If you stay at my home, you'll enjoy a sense and feel for the natural areas of central Florida, a tranquil house surrounded by 75' timber bamboo in a walkable city. There are several coffee houses downtown. My favorite is Bistro, where I can count on the coffee house guys, a lovable bunch of local cognoscenti, to give me their take on the latest news and world events. The music concerts at Stetson University are equal to none--a five minute walk from my home. For up tempo, there's music and night life downtown: a micro-brewery, two wine bars, two bars with a wide selection of beer on tap. Great rock bands at Da Vinci's downtown. DeLand, FL is 20 miles from Daytona Beach and 45 miles from Orlando. There is an Amtrak train station about six miles to the west of DeLand and bus service three blocks from my home. The SunRail to Orlando has a station about 8 miles from DeLand; there's also connector bus service. If you like the outdoors, there are beautiful state parks within 10 minutes of my location. Five miles to the south, there may be hundreds of manatees at Blue Springs State Park in the winter during the freezes. This area is perfect if you like to kayak or canoe. Both can be rented at DeLeon Springs State Park. If you're up early enough you can join me when I go to DeLeon Springs for my morning swim. I live two blocks from Stetson University and six blocks from downtown DeLand. For skydivers, the airport is a 10 minute car trip; tandem jumps can be arranged for the adventurous. The beaches in Daytona are approximately 20 miles due east via Hwy 92.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Honduras, Italy, United States

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