CURRENT MISSION

I have formed a nonprofit, Water and Education Care International. In April 2018, we were able to drill a well for the Mahero village, Siaya County, Kenya. Now hundreds of residents come daily to fetch clean drinking water, thus eliminating outbreaks of cholera and typhoid. In addition, we support 15 secondary students enrolled in the local high school and nearby boarding schools and 4 university students. Those we have helped now include: a doctor, 2 nurses, a pharmacist, a lawyer an an accountant. I am working to improve the lives of people I have met in my travels.

ABOUT ME

I taught French in high school for 40 years, took many of my own students to France and organized exchange groups for other French teachers around the U.S. Bought a good camera upon retirement, am now traveling the world and organizing exhibits when I am home. My sons and grandson are my main reasons for spending time at home; however, they understand my interest in travel and tolerate my absence. I am supporting a number of students in Kenya and have traveled there often.

PHILOSOPHY

Live life to the fullest, help others whenever possible, show compassion for those less fortunate than I. Never grow up! Be an eternal student.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have friends in many countries, but am always interested in new experiences. I avoid tour groups, cruises and organized travel. Thanks to CS I have made many new friends around the world and am considered part of the family by many. This is amazing! Often, it is difficult to leave once we have shared so many interesting times together. I have attended CS group gatherings in Spain and Australia, something I will continue to do when I return home.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Wonderful experiences with amazing people during my 9 month around the world adventure. CS in Grenada, Spain at the beginning of my trip. Stellenbosch, So. Africa near Capetown- 3 days became 10 - two different stays with graduate students at the university, Hong Kong, 2 nights with a wonderful American host teaching English in an international school, 10 days with an Indian family near Jaipur- their first CS experience, the family was wonderful and the son and his friends all became my "betas- grandsons" and I became their "dada- grandfather" during the stay. I hear from them at least once/week. They drove me to see the Taj Mahal- amazing. Chiang Mai- hosted by an American ex-pat teaching ESL there- stayed for 5 nights, Melbourne, Australia- Daniel and Peter have become close friends and are terrific hosts. Three nights have turned into 14!!!! We spent a day driving to the Great Ocean Road and had a wonderful day. I feel like a part of the family everywhere I go.

Interests

Nearly everything- especially interested in finding unusual street art and graffiti every where I travel. I have spent much time in France, first as a student and later as a teacher organizing home stay exchanges for my students. Whenever possible, I visit art museums and galleries when traveling. I have found great street art in Paris, Lyon, Buenos Aires and Istanbul, Madrid, Grenada, Seville, Barcelona, Fes, Joberg, Capetown, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Hanoi, Sydney, Melbourne.

• arts
• street art
• coach
• traveling
• soccer
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

French literature in general, recent books: Three Cups of Tea, Stones into Schools, What's the What, Istanbul, Say You're One of Them, The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Little Angels (novice monks in Thailand), George Washington Black.
French music, African music, some classical music, jazz
Movies usually shown in arts theatres.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sleeping under the stars in a Tuareg encampment near Timbuktu.
Climbed Mt. Longonot in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya with a small group of soccer players and their coach. We hiked the entire rim of the volcano- exhausting but extremely rewarding.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am always happy to help those who want to practice their French and love sharing travel experiences.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Mali, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Kenya, Morocco, United States

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