Mission: To live life to the fullest. To see as much of the world as possible. To get to know people and places in depth. To always be open to new experiences. And to never stop learning.

I am a teacher at an international school in Munich. I grew up in northern California, outside of San Francisco. I love dogs. I'm a giant fan of the outdoors. I grew up swimming and rowing. I love hiking, skiing, and anything ocean/water-related. Aside from northern California, I've lived in Providence, Rhode Island and New York City as well as in Bologna, Italy, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany and now Munich, Germany.

While in college, I did an exchange program at the University of Bologna in northern Italy for a year and fell in love with the country. I traveled all over Italy and became fluent in the language. It was one of the best experiences of my life and it made me determined to always spend as much time as possible getting to know the places that I visit.

After a break from teaching for some incredible travel through Thailand, Cambodia, India and Nepal, I'm back in the classroom and fortunate enough to be living my passion and doing so in one of the greenest cities in the world, with the Bavarian alps as my playground!

I have also joined an international community of singers and musicians in the English-Speaking Music Ensemble (ESME e.V.) where I've met an amazing group of people from all over the world who share a love of music and great community. We are about 100 strong with the Big Band, Orchestra, and Singers (my group!).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love the openness and spirit of universal connectedness of the Couchsurfing community. Traveling is about a lot more than just checking places off a bucket list. I never feel like I've truly experienced a place unless I have had the chance to meet a few locals and enjoy a taste of what they love and appreciate about their home. I love meeting other travellers and sharing insights and stories because it keeps me constantly inspired.

Interests

Traveling & Exploring new places and meeting people from all walks of life...

Everything Outdoors: Swimming, Hiking, Biking, Paddling, Rowing, Skiing, basically anything and everything ocean-related or mountain-related!

Singing! (Check out the English-Speaking Music Ensemble in Munich! )
http://www.esme-ev.de/
and on Facebook@ https://www.facebook.com/ESMEeVmusic?fref=ts

...amateur photography, spontaneous inventive cooking, dancing to LIVE MUSIC!...

• dogs
• singing
• photography
• tattoos
• dancing
• cooking
• beer
• coffee
• traveling
• eating out
• socializing
• music
• live music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• skiing
• swimming
• rowing
• teaching
• sightseeing

Music, Movies, and Books

I have pretty eclectic taste.

I especially love LIVE MUSIC!

Lately I've been hooked on lots of fun PODCASTS...check out: This American Life, The Moth, NPR's All Songs Considered, 99% Invisible, Coffee Break German...

A Few Great Books: White Teeth, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Magus, Water for Elephants...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During an incredible overland trip through Northern India, I had the fortune of traveling through the villages of Zero in Arunachal Pradesh while the locals were celebrating a special "puja" that happens one time per year. Over the week or so that I stayed there, I met generations of women and men from the indigenous Apatani tribe. On my most memorable night, I was sitting around a fire in the home of one gorgeous Apatani woman--noting her traditional facial tattoos, cane nose plugs, beaded necklaces, and handwoven skirt--as she sang a traditional love song in the local dialect with an angelic voice. It was a humbling experience.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I don't have a couch to share right now, but I'd love to invite any new travellers who come my way to join me for a cup of coffee/tea or a beer and some great company!

I've also got lots of great tips and ideas for hiking and sightseeing around Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Bavaria.

Or should you be heading to northern California, I'd be happy to suggest some great outdoor activities in my hometown around San Francisco and Marin County!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Italy, United States

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