CURRENT MISSION

To learn as much about the world so I can enjoy it in its entirety. We all have stories, and I want to know yours.

ABOUT ME

I'm thoughtful and love life. I want to get to know as many people as possible and know why they see the world the way that they do. I believe that's one of the big reasons we're here, and understanding others makes us better people on the whole.

I studied at UC berkekey, graduated with degrees in music and Integrative Biology. Became a marketing director for a bit for food. It was a fun gig. Became a decent photographer. Now I'm at med school and finding out that I am really motivated by public policy - I want to make sure the world around me is one I want to live in. I can't sit back and just let it happen at me. The world is still too broken, and it's our responsibility to help fix it and make it a better place for everyone.

I picked photography up in college, with the main reason being that I want to capture beauty in the world :) I'm still working on my craft, but I'm loving it! Check out some of my stuff at www.flickr.com/annayap

I believe in getting to know people of all different cultures. My best experiences in traveling have been through knowing and living with locals, from experiencing things that a simple guidebook won't show me.

PHILOSOPHY

Only ask out of people what you would be willing to have be asked out of you :) With that being said, I'm a super giving person, so I'd love others to be too! I'd one day like to travel even more, and it'd be nice to make connections across the world so I can crash ;)

I also love to try new things, and have new experiences. I believe life is just a bunch of experiences! We remember moments :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted wonderful travelers before, and I'd like to do more surfing myself now that I'm out travelling! Some of my best hosting experiences has been trying to squeeze 8 of us into my room....that was definitely a hoot.

I've traveled in Peru for about a month, and I got to stay with some hosts and meet some random fellow CS folks. I've done a couple homestays in the past as well, and it's been great.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I love to have people crash at my place, and I hope in turn that others would love to let me crash too! (This was before CS) With CS, it's been hit or miss. I had one guy decide to just live at my place and not leave, and kept on guilting me into letting him stay a month past the agreed on date because I didn't want him to be homeless :( Otherwise, it's been a great experience :) I love getting to see a city/country though the eyes of people who actually know the place. It's stressful trying to figure out the best spots to go to when you have no frame of reference, plus things are so much better when you have something personal to tie you to the place.

Interests

Getting at the root of things. Learning why. Having experiences I'd never have normally on my own.
Politics and Policy
Games and Riddles
Photography
Architecture
Crafting/fabrication work
New experiences!

• architecture
• photography
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• politics
• traveling
• music
• surfing
• biology
• public policy
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Probably the most spiritual experience I've had is experiencing the winter solstice with some Andean locals in the remote hills after breaking through Sillustani ruins near Cuzco, Peru. I participated in ancient rituals with some locals and we meditated as the sun rose. It's an experience that will always live with me.

Also, another thing that left me speechless is just the sunsets all over the world. How can they be so beautiful no matter where you are?

:) Also, the things that people can make with their hands...just leaves me speechless all the time!

Teach, Learn, Share

Photography, stories, terrible humor (puns).

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whatever you want to pick my brain about. I can also cook (quite decently, may I add.)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States