CURRENT MISSION

Sneaking in fun trips around work trips to Central Africa. Getting to know DC a little better!

ABOUT ME
I was living in Burkina Faso working as a Peace Corps volunteer until about a year ago. I lived in a tiny house in a little village off the grid. It was an awesome experience and I really love that region of the world.
Before Peace Corps I lived in Asheville, North Carolina, where I went to college for Environmental Studies and high school science education.
I am pathologically optimistic and a free spirit (that might just mean I do whatever I want, Im not sure) I've been told, and I'm a big fan of the title. I'm technically an introvert and do have adventures by myself but I can also be very energetic and like to have adventures with others too.
I like science and nerdy things, and appreciate all those other nerds in the world.

PHILOSOPHY

Hmm maybe something like everyone is in charge of their own happiness but making people happy can be the greatest pleasure.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hosting when I'm home and enjoying couch surfing when I'm not!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have surfed on the Snaefellness peninsula in Iceland. I have also surfed several places in Spain, as well as in France and Puerto Rico.
I have hosted many surfers Iceland and a few in Asheville. I have met with some for drinks. I have also surfed a bit in North Carolina.
If not I would love to meet up with surfers and show them around at the very least.

Interests

Oh well let's see here.
I like travel (obviously I spose) and planning to travel. Coffee and cooking, especially how people cook in other countries. Music and blues, contra, and swing dancing. I'm interested in international politics (I can't even believe I'm saying that, though its true) although I do not claim any special knowledge. I like biking, hiking, picnics, excuses to be making merry outside (or in for that matter).

• dancing
• swing dancing
• education
• cooking
• coffee
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• blues
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching
• environmental studies
• languages
• science
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I like cheesy sci fi, older movies like ferris bueller's day off, Harold and Maude, the dark crystal, though I'm not really a movie person.
I like good books, maybe like 100 years of solitude (magical realism is pretty great)but I appreciate some trash, such as the Sookie Stackhouse series, especially during hot season in Subsaharan Africa.
Music, I like Malian-style music, with the koras and djembes, and guitars and all that good stuff, but I like more bluesy, rock, indie stuff most often. The Black Keys, Ratatat, Passion pit, vampire weekend all make the list of often listened to, but bring on the Beyonce.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Finding myself feeling at home in a village in Burkina for two years certainly takes the cake.

But, watching the northern lights above a glacier across the sea, while atop a volcano and sipping rum on a sublime little island named Iceland in the north atlantic was pretty good too.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can dispatch a chicken (that's a newer skill), haul water out of a well, and pick cotton with the best of 'em. A measly amount of guitar skills exist, but don't expect much. West africa, Dioualla/ Bambara, french, and greeting in several obscure west african languages are all also available.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can tell you the good, the bad, and the funny of my adventures around the parts of Africa Ive frequented. I can certainly contribute to a tasty meal. I can tell you about life in the good ol US of A. And I can most certainly make and match you in Boubon drinks.

Countries I’ve Visited

Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Spain, Togo

Countries I’ve Lived In

Burkina Faso, Iceland, Mali, United States

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