I am a US citizen with 15 years of experience living and working in Guatemala. In 2011, I made the decision to make this beautiful country my permanent home, and start my own international social enterprise focusing on climate change. Apart from my professional work, I am an avid reader, writer, gardener/ farmer, jewelry maker, artist, outdoorswoman, and cook. I am very active in local and ntional governmental and scientific networks, as well as cultural and artistic promotion and endeavors in Quetzaltenango (Xela). I enjoy a balance of quiet down time and social and cultural outings. I do not permit the use of illegal substances in my home, for spiritual and energy reasons.

Soy ciudadana de los EEUU con 14 anios de experiencia trabajando y viviendo en el Altiplano de Guatemala. En 2011, hice la decision para hacer que este lindo pais sea mi hogar permanente, y para empezar mi propia empresa social dedicada a la adaptacion al cambio climatico. Aparte de mi trabajo profesional, mis intereses incluyen leer, escribir, jardines/ fincas, diseno de joyeria, arte, cocinar, y pasar tiempo en la naturaleza. Estoy muy activa en redes locales y nacionales del gobierno y ciencia, y tambien promocion y actividades culturales y artisticas en Quetzaltenango (Xela). Disfruto un balance de tiempo tranquilo en refleccon y actividad social y cultural. No permito el uso de drogas illegales en mi hogar.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I enjoy helping others, making new connections, and forging friendships across different cultures.

Disfruto ayudando a los demas, haciendo nuevas conexiones, y desarrollando nuevas amistades atras de varias culturas.

Music, Movies, and Books

too many to name/ demasiados para contar.

I listen to a variety of music, read a lot of books, write poetry, run a small organic farm, work as a life coach, cook semi-professionally, run an animal rescue, and have a professional artist studio onsite. /

Escucho variedad de musica, leo mucho libros, escribo y leo poesia en dos idiomas, manejo una granja pequena experimental, trabajo como "life coach," mantengo pequeno rescate de animales, cocino a nivel semi-profesional, y tengo estudio profesional de arte en la casa.

I do not have a television in the house/ no tengo television en la casa

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

started my life over at age 37 to get my master's degree in development and found an international NGO
a la edad de 37, empece mi vida de nuevopara seguir un sueno y llamada en pais nuevo

Teach, Learn, Share

As of 2018, I offer an individualized personal and professional coaching and development program out of my home, with my emphasis being on helping people access their inner guidance and voice in times of transition, at any age. Paid sessions are available for people who stay with me; discounts for people who help with farm chores. More information is available on my blog here:

https://alticulturainfo.wordpress.com/2018/07/20/july-update-we-are-getting-our-coaching-program-underway-for-people-who-want-to-make-a-difference/

I also help people find their way around Xela, learn about the development issues I and my team work on, and set people up with private Spanish teachers and Spanish school programs; including offering translation services between students and prospective teachers, schools, or work positions in the city. I ask for compensation or food donations to the home, for these services.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Full kitchen and home cooking, an incredible rural setting close to one of the most active volcanoes in the world (Santa Maria/ Santiaguito are 3 miles away), fresh organic produce, a very quiet and relaxed atmosphere outside of the city, handmade jewelry, professional photography and translation services, potential guide services, a small but private and comfortable room, local and cultural knowledge, library, art studio. Ample parking, lots of opportunity for stenuous an non-strenous hiking in beautiful natural settings with great views. There are 3 dogs and a cat in the home, and I often take in rescues and grazing animals. Also fair to mention that there are bees on site, so people with allergies may want to be cautious.

Cocina completa y cocinando hogareno, un paisaje rural muy cercano a unos delos volcanes mas activos del mundo (Santa Maria/ Santiaguito son 3 millas de distancia), productos frescos organicos caseros, atmosfero extemamete trnqilo y relajado afuera de la ciudad, joyeria hecho a mano, fotogrfia y servicios de traduccion profesionales, servicio potencal de guia local y regional, un cuarto pequeno pero privado y comodo, conocimiento local y cultural, biblioteca, estudio de arte. Parqueo gratis, seguro, y amplio, y mucha oprtunidad para caminar en areas de alta belleza natural, para personas de todas capacidades. La casa tiene perros, gatos, y ovejas. Tambien, es justo mencionar que hay colonia de abejas enel sitio- personas con alergias deben de tomar pecauciones.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Honduras, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guatemala, United States