I have 2 CS profiles. This one, which is just me. And 'Miriam Lee & Lexie' (https://www.couchsurfing.com/users/1088873) which I started using when my parents & I started out CSing together! I have couchsurfed with Miriam & Lee in Costa Rica, London and Paris, and have hosted many Couch Surfers in Miami. I frequently assist couchsurfers with information about Denver, transportation, hostels, etc., by phone and email.

I am currently attending graduate school in Israel. Enjoying this amazing country & culture. I moved here from Denver a few months ago. Perhaps 4 years in one place was too long. I think there's so much to see & work gets in the way... You have to jump at opportunities when they present themselves!!

I like to learn about the NEW place where I'm living. As a newbie to Denver, I had to learn what to do about snow (what is this fluffy white cold stuff falling from the sky?!) & how to drive in it & how to safely hike in the mountains & who is the BEST vet in the state. Ran my 1st half marathon in Oct 2014 at 5280 ft high!! Being a Miami girl, that concept is awesome.

Now I'm in Israel. Culture shock & lack of language to the extreme (although I'm learning עברית). But I've learned where the best falafel, shawarma, gelato & froyo are! Relying on public transportation has given me a different perspective of the city. I've never really had to rely so heavily on buses before. It really helps you learn the layout much better. We've had 2 sandstorms since I've been here & 1 flood (sounds biblical!). Its been hot, cold, rainy, sunny & we've had hail, but I'm still loving it!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love the idea of meeting new people when I travel that want to share more than just their city's/country's history. I want to learn about culture & the citizens.

Interests

I love reading, hiking, traveling, horseback riding, tubing (snow & water).

• culture
• cooking
• marathon
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• equestrian
• hiking
• backpacking
• history
• religion
• tourism
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I was 15 & my brother was 11, we repelled down a waterfall in the cloud forest in Costa Rica. I have no idea where we were but our guide, Turkey Tom, tethered us to the top of the waterfall & we each got into our harnesses. Daniel went first. Over the edge & down he went & I couldn't see him anymore. My turn came. And it went. I couldn't gather my courage to lower myself over the edge of a waterfall when I knew the bottom was at least 300 to 400 feet below me. Tom reminded me that if my younger brother could do it, so could I. So over the edge I went. It was cold. It was thrilling. To be suspended in mid air & be in control of how fast I lowered myself into the river so far down below. After what seemed like hours, I made it! Alive! Cold! But Alive! I don't think I've done anything as awesome & thrilling as that since then.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to host interesting people with fun and interesting stories to tell. I enjoy showing off my new City. I try to incorporate my guests' interests into my daily activities, so please let me know what you would like to do when you are here, how you plan to spend your time, etc. As we all have commitments and are not always available to be "tour guide", please have done some research so you know what you plan to do while you are here. I will help with transportation as much as possible, and will join you whenever I can, but you don't want to waste your precious time here waiting for me to decide what you should do each day.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my knowledge of cooking Cuban foods (I'm from Miami & an honorary Cubanita!), backpacking experiences, traveling with family & with friends. I love to discuss politics & religion. I know those are touché topics for most people but I'd like to discuss them & hear what the other side has to say rather than believe that ignorance if bliss. I love to learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Croatia, Israel, Spain, United Kingdom, United States