Meet good people, learn new things, have some fun adventures, see art, and EAT GOOD FOOD!!!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is my favorite way to travel!! I've had some really wonderful and cool experiences, and learned so many things about the local life (and food) that I wouldn't have been able to otherwise. I love connecting to the people on this platform--I've met a lot of wonderful, open, interesting and kind people on couchsurfing, and I've been so grateful for the experience! I've gotten to see a lot of my old couchsurfers again, and I think it's so incredible to be able to make these connections in such a short time, and see these new friends from across the world again. I have been moving to a new city each year for work (NYC to Washington DC to Barcelona to London) and have really liked to do local meetups in whatever city I happen to be living in as well.

Interests

Food, good conversation, art!

I really like learning about people, learning about places, learning in general. I can't live without art! Drawing and art museums are my favorite. Live music, museums, local events, coffee/wine/beer/any and all beverages with a new friend, people-watching, conversations with strangers, meditation. I really search to learn about local politics. Adventures and surprises! I like the extremes (fast-paced urban, local towns, rural mountains).

In my professional life, I am an economist/researcher (in training) studying urbanization in developing countries. Cities, international development, sustainability, the environment, and inequality are my professional passions.

• arts
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• running
• meditation
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• live music
• hiking
• sports
• communications

Music, Movies, and Books

I feel like I have to constantly update the music section here! It really changes. I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but I do really enjoy music. Mitski, Tennis are a couple of my favorites. I've been listening to Chromatics a lot lately. But I'm really down for anything. I pretty much like all live music (rap, hip hop, punk, metal, electronic, techno, jazz, rock, pop, whatever!)

Some old favorites of books:
Surely, You're Joking Mr. Feynman, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Howl's Moving Castle (also one of my favorite movies), Matilda, the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, David Foster Wallace's 'This is Water' speech has been really important to me.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

4AM rural Panama, everyday, there's such a contrast between what you hear and what you see. The rainforest sounds really peaceful--light rain, bugs chirping, calm, quiet. But you're looking at intense lightening storms that are reflected off the mountains from miles away. It's beautiful, and I'll never forget it.

If you travel with me, a lot of people tend to think I'm unlucky haha. Ridiculous things happen to me, but also really good things! I'm not dead and I have a really positive attitude, so I think I'm pretty lucky!! I was stuck in Honduras for a bit during the 2009 coup d'etat. A bunch of people and I were at a waterfall on a viewing platform off a cliff at a different time in Honduras, and it collapsed underneath us: but, none of us were seriously injured, just scratches. Left my phone in a bar in Spain, then it was found and MAILED back to me in the US. Left my phone in a cab in NYC, and then someone from the Pakistani black market posted a status from my facebook account 5 months later saying my personal information was safe, scolded me. Lost my phone in Hungary just as I started heading for Slovakia, and a kid whose family I stayed with after meeting him on the train a couple days prior lent me iPad for five days while I went to Kosice, and then I hitchhiked back to his town to return it to him. One time I missed my bus stop to the airport in Izmir and the bus driver literally did a U-turn in the middle of this mostly empty 4 way free-way, and then he asked for a selfie while we were driving.
I've met so many people just on the street that have invited me into their homes just because they're worried about the foreigner girl travelling alone with a giant pack. I think about that Streetcar named Desire quote all the time: I depend on the kindness of others!! It's so nice to have faith in humanity!!!!

I'm not a reckless person--but I like talking to people and doing things and living life, so I like to end up doing something a little wild now and then. Can't wait for more adventures, and to hear about yours!!

Teach, Learn, Share

I have dozens of drawings of my travels I can share with you?! No better way to appreciate something (or someone) than by staring at it for thirty means straight in my opinion

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm a decent cook !! I'm probably best at Chinese food but I make a lot of stuff.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Macao, Netherlands, Panama, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Spain, United Kingdom, United States