Hello there! Since I was 16 years old I have been afflicted with a severe case of wanderlust. It started when I visited my sister studying abroad in Spain, and I haven't been able to contain it ever since! I studied abroad in Madrid in college, and was able to travel all over Spain and Europe. I had so many wonderful and crazy adventures and couldn't wait to see more of the world. After I graduated from college, I spent a year and a half teaching English in China. The experience was so crazy wonderful, and it really opened my eyes to a completely new part of the world. I was lucky enough to save up enough money to take two separate backpacking trips throughout Southeast Asia.

When I got back to Minnesota after teaching English, I thought it was time to settle down and get a "real job." Turns out, working in corporate america made me pretty miserable, so I only stayed long enough to save up enough money to head out again on a backpacking trip around the world. So now I'm currently living out of my backpack and loving life. :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to meet new people from all around the world, and I think it is through this simple one on one interaction that we can foster understanding and respect between cultures all around the world.

I think it is only when we meet the people from a city or country that we can truly start to understand it. I have traveled quite a bit, and I am finding that I am now more eager to meet people than see the sites.

I can't host at the moment since I am traveling, but once I have a place of my own I will be so happy to host guests!

Interests

Traveling (of course) and seeing as many places in the world I possibly can!

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up, but the two things I can never really stop thinking of are food and traveling. I try to eat vegan, and a current dream of mine is to travel around the world collecting the most delicious recipes and then open up an international restaurant with all vegan dishes. But then again, who knows when I will be ready to settle down!

I'm also interested in growing more spiritually through meditation, self-reflection and hopefully some more yoga. I try to practice all of these things while traveling, and at times I can be really dedicated, and other times I find any excuse in the world to avoid it!

I have been reading a ton while traveling, and I find myself guilty of reading books multiple times, I just can't help it! This current trip I am on has also inspired me to write a lot - I'm not sure if my writing is just for me, or if it is something I will want to share with the world one day. Only time will tell!

• culture
• writing
• books
• dining
• recipes
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• backpacking
• snorkeling
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

I have to admit it, the artist that gets to me no matter what emotion I am feeling is Simon & Garfunkel. If I am ever feeling stressed while traveling, I just put them on my ipod and I can immediately feel a sense of peace. I also very much like other oldies like Mamas & Papas, the Beatles, CCR, Otis Redding, The Supremes and more modern stuff like the Killers, James Vincent McMorrow, Father John Misty, Dr. Dog, Temples, Husky...

I love to watch most movies besides action and horror. I really like to just watch movie trailers too, I guess I'm kind of an odd duck! Some of my favorite movies are Big Fish, Saved, Pride and Prejudice, Billy Madison, Anchorman

I grew up with Harry Potter, so I couldn't mention books without that guy! The Alchemist, The Fountainhead (I don't always agree with her philosophy, but I love her books!), Illusions; the Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, Zealot - give me any suggestions, I have lots of time to read right now!!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I did a night snorkel in Hawaii with manta rays, it was so surreal and amazing. All you could see were these huge spotlights at the bottom of the ocean that attracted the plankton, and then over 20 manta rays doing belly rolls to eat the plankton. It was one of the greatest things ever.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hmmmm, I can teach some good and simple vegan recipes - check out my website peacetravelavocado to see some of the stuff I made.

I want to learn everything! It is so hard for me to pick just one thing that I want to learn, I think so many things are interesting. I do find myself very interested in religion, and especially learning about the historical aspect of religion. I'd love to learn more about nutrition and different beliefs around why people eat certain foods.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A passion for culture, food and life!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Belize, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Spain, United States