Hi! My name is Renee. I'm curious about the world, and about you :)

I was born and raised in Alaska. While I have never lived in an igloo nor ridden a moose to school, I have had the privilege of enjoying incredible landscapes, the midnight sun, and plenty of husky cuddles. Growing up in Alaska made me tough, showed me the value of community, and gave me my first tastes of adventure. As wild as Alaska may be, I left in my mid-20's to get myself out of my comfort zone, and stayed in Montana for six months before landing in Brooklyn, NY, where I've spent the last four years.

Last year, I traded in my wall-street office for a backpack and have been using my remote lifestyle to explore the world. I am forever grateful for the friendships and connections I have made along the way, some of which have led me to Barcelona, where I reside part-time with my partner. He has opened my eyes to a new level of immersive exploration, challenging oneself and really going deep into the experience.

I am very much into the arts, dancing, food, and learning interesting historical or cultural facts about the places I'm visiting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I feel the most alive is when something causes me to reevaluate some preconception that I've had, when I am encountering the unexpected, or when I feel magic in the small moments. A conversation or act of kindness can leave a fingerprint on someone's day, and sometimes their life. I am confronting the idea that traveling is expensive, and discovering the richness of experience in passing up a pre-packaged resort vacation for a more authentic peek into someone's life.

I don't want my adventures feel like a purchase or a monetary exchange. I want the value to be in the lessons, the discoveries, and the friendships which result from being open-minded and practicing acceptance and a desire to understand the variation and complexity in the human experience.

I am looking forward to sharing time with you, opening up my home to you, and being welcomed by you.

Interests

• performing arts
• street art
• dancing
• cooking
• gardening
• painting
• music
• hiking
• psychology
• food
• community
• philosphy
• personal growth

Music, Movies, and Books

My musical taste varies a lot depending on my mood and my environment, so I always find it challenging to summarize! I listen to a lot of electronic music, and really enjoy ambient/experimental electronic.

Some of my favorite artists: LCD Soundsystem, Caribou, Tipper, Max Cooper, Haitus Kaiyote, Taylor McFerrin, Bonobo, Broken Social Scene, The Unicorns, Deerhunter, Four Tet, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Yellow Ostrich, the Beatles, etc etc etc

I don't read nearly as much as I used to, such a shame! I've enjoyed reading many of the 'greats' of the 21st century, and I love memoirs and short stories. I have a deep fascination with the many different paths one human life can take. Brene Brown is an inspiration to me.

Movies: Amelie (cliche, but it's just so wonderful!), the Diving Bell & the Butterfly, There Will be Blood, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Waking Life. Anything by Wes Anderson, Hayao Miyazaki, or the Coen Brothers.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just finished the Camino de Santiago, which was a pretty introspective journey. I also learned to ride a motorcycle on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua!

Teach, Learn, Share

My life's journey and challenge is one of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Some quotes I enjoy:

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
―Brene Bown

“Being authentic has nothing to do with the color of your skin or the place you were born. It has nothing to do with gender, age, language, culture, or profession. It’s all about how close you are to your spirit, how unwilling you are to just keep calm and carry on, how desperately you want to experience the beauty, the horror, the tragedy, everything, instead of just experiencing what you’re supposed to.”
―Vironika Tugaleva

“'i love myself.'
the
quietest.
simplest.
most
powerful.
revolution.
ever.”
― Nayyirah Waheed

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking, help with housework, philosophical conversations, my personal stories and past experiences, tons of laughter, a place to stay when you're in my neck of the woods :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Iceland, Israel, Nicaragua, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United States