CURRENT MISSION

Working short-term, reconnecting with friends, finding inner peace, hatching plans to return to South Africa.

ABOUT ME
I am from South Africa and have lived in the USA for 8 years! I have been mostly serious here - studying, working hard...but now that I am a big girl with a job, I would like to travel more around the USA. I love gardening and art projects. I currently live in Athens, Ohio, in an intentional community called Currents (look it up on the ICC website!). I love dancing and riding bicycles.

I have traveled since I was 19! I lived in London, then southern Spain (Malaga) then on the Scilly Isles on St. Martin's for a year. Then travels took me back to SA for a year of Art School at Rhodes University. I then lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for half a year or so and then moved to Ohio. Since then I have visited Costa Rica for vacation and Israel/Palestine for an intensive course in non-violent communication (NVC). Adventures!

PHILOSOPHY

We are all residents of the holy planet earth and we need to share it, care for it and treat each other with love and kindness. I have adopted Buddhism as a personal philosophy. To me, the ideas of karma, compassion and being liberated from our own suffering all make so much sense. I also love mindfulness practices and yoga. I am interested in non-violent communication as means for creating more authentic connection between human beings. I am currently studying Somatic Experiencing which is a body based trauma healing technique.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My couch surfing adventures have revolved around work related adventures lately. I did a travel assignment at a small hospital in Napoleon Ohio and stayed on wonderful Suzanne's comfy couch for over a month! What a great time!! I have also have stayed on Katelyn's couch in Richmond VA while I attend Somatic Experiencing courses. My friend Julie and I are travelling through the Southern States and hope to stay on many couches, meeting wonderful people along the way.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Just went on an epic road trip and landed up doing more hobo camping than couch surfing. Next time I would like to be more organized and plan some couch surfing in advance, I'm sure it will be way more comfortable. Note: Sandfleas on the beach after dark are vicious!

Interests

I love making art, dancing, singing & playing guitar, yoga, and love hobo camping and any outdoor adventure. I LOVE food. When I go somewhere new I try all the local ingredients and learn how to cook local recipes. I would love to be a travel food writer. My other dream job would be to be a costume designer for theatre.

• arts
• writing
• singing
• architecture
• design
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• yoga
• meditation
• gardening
• traveling
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• camping
• surfing
• buddhist
• rock climbing
• cartography
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I love all kinds of music, especially music you can dance to. I've been listening to a lot of female rock/electronic music lately - Oh Land, Ellie Goulding, Lykke Li, The XX, Tove Lo, Robyn - feeling the female power . I also like electronic music for a good dance.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went on tour with my friends bluegrass band (Hunnabee and the Sandy Tar Boys) all over the east coast. We saw the sunset over Lake Champlain in Burlington Vermont, tried to sleep on beaches in Cape Cod but got attacked by sand fleas. Very interesting night in an art studio.
Exploring the Transkei (Wild coast) of South Africa.
I spent 9 months in Southern Spain climbing limestone, eating delicious paella and tapas, exploring architecture, having a blast!
I lived also in Miuhatlan de Porferio Diaz outside of Oaxaca in Mexico. Most fabulous adventures in Southern Mexico - mi favorito citio en todo el mundo!
Exploring Israel/Palestine and getting to understand the conflict in that area on a personal level.

Teach, Learn, Share

I could share my knowledge of Ohio and I have a bicycle to share. I hope anyone who stays with me will be able to go on biking adventures. I have lots of art supplies to share if anyone wants to be creative. I also would love to share my Buddhist practice (we could go to the local Meditation center which is beautiful!) and can share yoga practice too! I would like to learn more gardening skills and guitar skills.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am trained in Somatic Experiencing - a body based trauma healing modality. If you have had something difficult happen and need to talk about it, I am your girl! I'm also an Occupational Therapist so if you're having hand, arm, or shoulder troubles I may be able to help. Or a child with fine motor issues, or a grandma who is falling at home, I'm a good dispenser of advice. Also...I have experience with non-violent communication and do workshops on how to have difficult conversations with people/friends/family. I'm happy to share!

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, South Africa

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