CURRENT MISSION
To spend my life enjoying myself.

ABOUT ME

I didn't start traveling until later in life, but always had a yearning. I expect to spend the second half of my life happily traveling.

Part of traveling I find the most touching is how open people are to befriending strangers from another country.

PHILOSOPHY

I may not be able to create world peace, but I can contribute by keeping myself on a positive direction and giving what I can with a smile. Life is about people and relationships, loving and giving.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
Right now, I'm don't have room to host on couchsurfing. So, unfortunately, I am taking a break, but hope to host this summer after I get the guest room put back together.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Summer of 2012, I hosted many couchsurfers and had the most incredible experiences, met incredible people, ALL of whom I want to see again. It's was so much fun, especially when couchsurfers who didn't know each other stayed with me and we all shared meals. I also had a great neighbor, Rafael, who is open and friendly and when he had time provided great experiences for the couchsurfers. In Guatemala I saw lots of couch surfers come by. The expat community there is very friendly and open and travelers could easily find good information and advice. We had a couple couch surfers in my house, but officially hosted by my roommates. Then before I moved to Chicago, I couchsurfed here twice and had incredibly positive experiences with YOWZA and John White.

Interests

Currently, I've been learning and practicing Marshall Rosenberg's Non-violent Communication and I love it. It's giving me tools to be kinder and more helpful with others (and myself). I love to DANCE! I currently spent most of my dancing time on Tango and Lindy Hop, but I also dance Salsa, Samba, Forro, Fusion, and Blues. I enjoy traveling, learning other languages (trying to learn Portuguese), experiencing other cultures, live music in smaller venues. Drinking coffee and sharing conversation!

• coffee
• vegan
• dieting
• drinking
• traveling
• music
• live music
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I tend to read non-fiction, economics and politics. Now, I'm reading a lot on Non-violent communication. I like Blues and Flamenco and Tangos, and Irish folk music and African, Cuban, and Latin rhythyms, old time Blue Grass... I really enjoy when people share music with me that they love because I don't know a lot about music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

October 2001, I literally made it into Guatemala as bridges and roads collapsed behind me. I walked across the border 3 October, on the 4th, the bridge had been destroyed by the flooded river. I was studying in Mexico and had meant only to spend 4 days visiting friends but I couldn't leave for two weeks, the roads were impassable. The electricity came and went for the first week. As did the water. When the roads became passable, I caught a ride with my friend's husband. The journey was long and arduous. We drove around places were the road had literally fallen off the mountain and had turned into a cliff. I am thankful for the help and company of my friends during it all.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hmmmm...I've done a ton of research on nutrition and diet, carnivore to vegan. I am still learning and I also have a lot to share. I raised a child with learning disability. Home schooled him for a bit too. My friends say I am grounded and good at giving them space and support to figure out their lives.

Countries I’ve Visited

El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, United States