I am a proud descendant of Mexican immigrants who had a cross-border upbringing across Southern California, Veracruz and Jalisco, Mexico. I work as a college professor based out of Poughkeepsie, New York, where I live with my 3 year old cat named Upa. A recent widower, my life was upended by the loss of my spouse last year. As I honor her memory, I seek to continue travelling the world--as we loved to do.

Professional profile: https://www.vassar.edu/faculty/mreyessalas

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

My college is covering the cost of my academic travels as I conduct research for my book manuscript. But I try not to be the kind of academic tourist that passes through a country, uninvited, without making efforts to connect with people. Instead, I'm open to traveling off the beaten path and meeting new people, which leads me to look for couchsurfing experiences over ritzy Hilton hotel.

Interests

cooking, playing music, singing, reading history and literature, traveling, language learning,

• literature
• singing
• cooking
• reading
• traveling
• music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Electronic music, latin american rock, hip hop, healing music

20th century Afro-Caribbean poetry and drama in French, African America essays, and Latin American narratives

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've participated in multiple freestyle rap sessions at the Legendary Cyphers freestyle circle in Manhattan's Union Square Park.

What I Can Share with Hosts

cook recipies, share songs, travel stories (across the united states, Europe, North Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean) and book recommendations

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, France, India, Martinique, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, United States