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JULY 2024 - Finished with China 2019-2024!! I’m taking a sabbatical from work and have traveled in Indonesia and in Australia—- 8-9/2024- and just recovering for the rest of the year. I need solace.

A global lifestyle - was able to work as an art teacher but should be just a an artist. In China I was most recently in the city, Ningbo - south of Shanghai. . But also lived in Beijing and Nanjing ( during pandemic) . . . Now looking to start over.. in Philippines— we’ll see how that goes.

SO…Are you New to CS? New to travel life and what this lifestyle is about? Happy to have a coffee talk about it. Also- Art&Culture is my thing. .

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MORE about me:

Please Don't ask where I am from, ask where I have traveled! ;) Good questions and good conversation I am on the hunt for. NEW YORK is my origin. So, it is a part of me no matter where I go!

I like to observe, listen and learn about others more than myself. My curiosity is still keen and childlike, but makes me a good candidate for my journalism program. My talents and fervor lay with travel & culture photography, writing and being intuitive. I'm an open-minded, sensory thinker who prefers to participate in life organically.

PHILOSOPHY

I live by many philosophies.. but here are a few I enjoy currently.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

"When someone truly cares about you, they make an effort, not an excuse."

"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential."

Truth is Beauty. Beauty is truth. In pursuit of a life filled with travel, culture, visual storytelling , writing, authentic chatting, and photography.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I heard about CS around 2010, when I was living in S. Korea and so much time to travel. .. But started being active with this around March 2012.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I recommend opening your doors to travelers.. they can even teach you about things in the country your in ... as they engulf the local culture from a new perspective.

So far my positive experiences since 2012:
March 2012 - Metti (met in Malaysia, from Iran)
March 2012 - Jeff and Flo (met in Kulai, from France)
June 2012 - Tan (Ho Chi Minh,Vietnam)
June 2012 - Mun (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Aug 2012 - Sina (met in Malaysia, from Tabriz,Iran)
Aug 2012 - Anwar (Penang,Malaysia)
Aug 2012 - Ang Huah (Penang, Malaysia)
Oct 2012 - Steven Y. (Penang, Malaysia)
Oct 2012 - Norelshamz (Kulai, Malaysia)
Oct 2012 - Lucy S. (American in Penang, Malaysia)
Nov 2012 - Simon Bond (from UK, friend from S Korea)
Jan 2013 - Michelle Tam (JB, Malaysia)
August 2013 - Julia Loeschel (met in JB, Malaysia, from Germany)
Sept. 2013 - Albert ( from Singapore, met in Barcelona)
Sept 2013 - Jon R. (Argentinian, now resident of Barcelona)
October 2013 - Sujan (Kathmandu, Nepal)
October 2013 - Cyril "Dubai Memoir" - (from Philippines, living in Dubai, met in Nepal)
Dec 2013 - Maby and Michael (Boca Raton, FL)
Jan 2014, Ursala (Portland, OR)
Jan -June 2014 Mike P (Housemate in Portland, from NY)
Oct 2014 - Alejandro (hosted in Eugene, from Argentina)
Oct 2014 - Diane P (hosted in Eugene, from Bay Area, Cali)
Dec 2014 - Stephanie (stayed at her home in Patchogue, Long Island, NY)
Sept 2017 - Susy ( I visited Berlin)
November 2024-met for coffee -Anna in Lipa City, Batangas PH

Interests

-Photographing in new cultures and enjoying at their idiosyncrasies.
- Doing random acts of kindness, especially with underserved communities that help our planet in some small way.
- Meeting people who break any stereotyping and prejudices I may had. I like to be surprised - in that way.
- Trying new foods, on the street, food trucks, and an occasional fine dining space.
- Movies, from anywhere.
- Being at a historical landmark and being reminded that mankind does have some good.
- Striking up a great conversation with a new traveler, not exchanging names until the end.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• street art
• photography
• festivals
• dining
• coffee
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• journalism
• lgbt
• quiet time
• street food
• comedy
• being in nature
• elephants
• community development
• environmental protection
• english bulldogs
• french bulldogs
• experientexplorer

Music, Movies, and Books

A little of everything.. I have a range of interests and enjoy talking about them in a fun way.

Can't get enough of the movies. 80's and 90's music makes me smile, and dance, but I enjoy many genres from many places, depending on the emotion or thought I want to embrace. Simple pleasures are all I need to get high on life.

Looking for people to help me smile, laugh and feel good without judgement.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Going to MachuPicchu, Peru and getting caught in a rainstorm.
Celebrating Christmas and New Years with Costa Ricans.
Watching a million bats fly over my head at sunset in Thailand.
Skinny dipping at 1am with a rainstorm approaching in Batu Ferringhi, Penang..Malaysia!

I visited 20 states (8.88%)Create your own visited map of The World or another interesting project

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - photography, living a passionate life, about being a quality-caring friend.
Learn - about anything that is scary to you.
Share - about everything that was given to you freely.

My Street Photography is from my heart — Experiences through cameras are my joy. i hope soon to be free again to do it somewhere else. A few years ago, when I lived in Historic Praga district, Warsaw Poland- I loved the day to day moments to take pics . That was just before China and JUST just before current Ukrainian war

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can meet for coffee /tea, food and fun. and share travel information.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, South Korea, United States

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