I'm a San Francisco native and have lived in the Bay Area (California, USA) my entire life. I love spending time in nature, cooking elaborate meals, trying new foods, biking, hiking, backpacking, travel, and reading novels in cozy coffee shops.

I've had amazing experiences couchsurfing and am consistently amazed by the generosity of the people I've met. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to host, I'm looking forward to the day when I have an extra room to offer. In the meantime, I'd love to share a meal, swap stories, or explore together with those hosting me!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to meet locals when I travel and I find Couchsurfing provides an amazing platform to do so! I want to get a sense for what life is really like in the places I travel to, and that's pretty hard to do if I'm only staying in hostels or hotels.

Interests

I love all things outdoors -- biking, hiking, running -- exploring forests, oceans, rivers, and mountains. I can also spend a day, perfectly content, drinking coffee, reading, and watching people in a bustling café. Learning is my passion, and I take every opportunity to read, learn a few words in a new language, or chat with someone about their life and their passions.

In the past year, I've become a much more avid runner and am currently training for my second marathon! I hope to one day complete a triathlon, but need to really work on the swimming piece. :)

• arts
• culture
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• coffee
• running
• drinking
• politics
• chess
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• history
• languages
• rivers
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

My all-time favorite book will always be Harry Potter. More recently, I've enjoyed East of Eden by John Steinbeck, Voices from Chernobyl by Svetlana Alexievich, and The Parable Series by Octavia Butler. I try to alternate between reading fiction and nonfiction and am delving deeper into SciFi and Fantasy novels.

In terms of music, I love listening to (almost) any kind of live music. I love going to small live shows, poetry slams, and open mics and try to find spots with local performances when I travel.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked the Merapi Volcano (in Indonesia) for sunrise.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love cooking and sharing food and am always happy to cook together or go out for a meal. I also love to play games (especially backgammon and chess).

I've also danced for years and could teach some basic salsa -- although I have a lot left to learn as well.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd love to spend time together with my host -- exploring the city, having a beer or coffee, or sharing a meal together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Turkey, United States