ABOUT:
My daughter Lulu, who is homeschooled, dreams of seeing some of America’s natural wonders and historic sites. In particular, she wants to visit some of the National Parks this year on their Centennial Year. The National Park Service is giving 4th-graders and their families free access to the parks. We thought such an adventure would be an impossible dream, but thanks to the amazing generosity of people across the country who are opening their homes to us, we are about to embark on our trip!

One of our main goals for this journey through the United States is to CONNECT DEEPLY to the land, the landmarks, and the people along the way (we'll be bartering and staying with folks). Home-schooling can be isolating and so we are choosing CONNECTION instead of isolation.

Because human connection is so important to me (and because Lulu is a little shy) I made up a game we call Collecting Smiles. Wherever we go (say the grocery store or the farmers market) we try to make people smile and then we draw their faces on a sketch book. When we get home, we tape those sheets on a "wall of smiles." Half the times, if you smile to people they smile back to you. But other times you have to engage with them more intentionally; you have to compliment them, etc. to get them to smile. We are excited about collecting smiles throughout the country.

Lulu and I have an additional goal: to write a book about the experience. This book will be a collection of stories, photos, meditations, and tips to inspire others to leap into the unknown, to live their bliss, to find freedom, and travel through life (and the United States) with ease and flow!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really love this idea of opening our homes, sharing food and stories, making human connections.

Interests

nature, hiking, yoga, meditation, joy, living fully

• books
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• drawing
• hiking
• historic sites
• parks

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Roadschooling with Lulu

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook Cuban food and tell stories from the road. I could also do a photo shoot, if there's time.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cuba, United States