I'm a globetrotter and freelance journalist based out of Granada. I write about immigration, the economic crisis, anti-terrorism policy, Islamophobia, development, and travel.

Apart from writing and exploring the world, I also love learning languages and how to cook the food from the places I've lived, learning how to make things from scratch (soaps, lotions, sewing, cheese) and am interested in learning the skills for sustainable living -- like permaculture, bioconstruction, etc. Always interested in meeting new people, good conversation. One of life's greatest pleasures is sharing a home cooked meal with friends, and talking over a glass of wine late into the night. Meditation and some sort of physical activity -- hiking, walks, yoga -- are also important to me.

Before living in Spain, I was based out of New Delhi for three plus years, where I worked as a staff writer at an Indian newspaper. I've also lived in China, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Originally, I'm from the Bay Area, in California.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new and interesting people, exchange travelers stories, get to know locals from the cities I'm visiting. When I'm working on stories around the world, I surf. When I'm home, I host.

Interests

I love to cook! I also enjoy rock climbing, yoga, meditation, and hiking, and good conversation. I also love meeting new people, writing, and exploring the world.

• writing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• indian food
• cheese
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• traveling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• freelancing
• journalism
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Eugenides
The People of Paper - Salvador Plascencia
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Harry Potter series, Madeleine L'engle series, and other children's literature
People's History of the United States
Breakfast at Tiffany's (or anything by Truman Capote)
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
The Bell Jar
Anything by Viktor Frankel, but especially Night

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I was 22 years old, I spent about a year reporting on migrant deaths in the desert along the U.S.-Mexico border, during which I lived about a mile south of the border with a family who worked in maquiladoras (U.S.-run factories) in Mexico. It was a life-changing experience that has largely directed the work I've been doing since.

Also, I lived in New Delhi, India for three years, while working as a staff writer at a national magazine. I was lucky to have the opportunity to travel all around the country, and report in fascinating subjects from development issues, sanitation, to violence against women, religious conflict, and all the ways that the country is changing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach people:
- How to make homemade soaps, deodorants and lotions
- Make fresh, homemade pasta and pizza, and authentic Indian food!
- English practice! (Or Spanish practice)
- Tips on traveling in India

What I Can Share with Hosts

Excellent cooking, and excellent conversation. :-)

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Morocco, Nepal, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, India, Mexico, United States