I like good balance between fun loving, easy going and intellectually surprising. I am an American living in Italy. I am a teacher, outdoor recreation guide; guiding rivers, rock climbers and cyclists. I love the outdoors and nature, but also love a fine glass of wine and fine food while waxing poetic. I am a singer, quasi-musician and "ballerina". I love to learn about the world and what a better way to learn about the world than through the eyes of others. I love a person that can have a balanced inquisitive conversation that gives us both the opportunity to learn about each and the world. I also value my quiet time (as well as yours.) I am very independent, but love the company of others. I am not an early riser. I usually wake up between 8-10am in the morning. I really value my quiet time before bed as well.

BTW - I voted for Hillary Clinton.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I still have not had the opportunity to be a couch surfing host because I have been living outside of the U.S. so I currently rent my home on Airbnb. I have hosted hundreds of people from around the world (virtually and while I was in the U.S. living in my home). I am happy to send you a link to my Airbnb host reviews. Also, I teach about sustainability philosophies in my courses at the college so I really value Couchsurfing for creating opportunities to connect without the exchange of money. Space-sharing, community building and opportunities for cultural pluralism.

Interests

I like to call myself a Jill of all Trades. I have done a little bit of everything. I am an "easy going" adventurer. I like adventures, but only at my pace =) My interests go far beyond those that I have listed, but all-in-all I just enjoying sharing new experiences in company, big or small. I also enjoy doing things alone. My next adventure is to make a long walking pilgrimage.

Oh, and I have a small dog that is the center of my world =)

My guilty guilty pleasure is watching cute animal videos =)

• animals
• culture
• theater
• dancing
• salsa dancing
• bachata
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• running
• meditation
• traveling
• music
• outdoor activities
• backpacking
• camping
• snowboarding
• buddhist
• teaching
• languages
• sociology
• tourism
• rivers
• mountains
• social justice
• kizomba
• activism
• love
• environmentalism

Music, Movies, and Books

BOOKS:
The Fingerprints of the Gods - Graham Hancock
Bridges of Madison County - Robert James Waller
The Botany of Desire - Michael Pollan
The Other Side of Desire - Daniel Bergener
Social Intelligence - Daniel Goleman
The Roadless Travelled - M. Scott Peck

MOVIES:
The Color Purple
Serenity (Niche American Sci-Fi)
What Dreams May Come
Gone with the Wind
Perfume
Once
Joy Luck Club
The Red Violin

MUSIC:
Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five
Radiohead
Juana Molina
Empire of the Sun
The Beatles
Van Morrison
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Fleetwood Mac
Gillian Welch
Elton John
Manu Chao

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived in a platform in a tree over a river while I was working as a riverguide in California.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach me your favorite expressions in a foreign language and I'll teach you mine =)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I get the most compliments on my courteousness and my conversation style.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Romania, South Korea, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States