My two main homes are in Arlington, VA and New York. I'm from Virginia and I have been going to New York my whole life (and for the past few years have been a student there). I'm really into film, and would like to pursue a career in it but am also open/looking for other directions in my life as well. Also interested in still photography.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I was very lucky for my parents to be able to take me traveling while growing up, and now I'm trying to do it on my own, for which Couchsurfing is very useful. I prefer to get to know the people of the areas I travel, and this seems like a great way to do that. I learned Spanish in large part by traveling through Spanish speaking countries, and the opportunity to communicate with so many people in an environment and language other than my own has been very important to me. My goal while traveling is to be more of a friend of the place I'm visiting, rather than just a tourist.

Interests

• books
• photography
• running
• badminton
• history
• languages
• film
• coen brothers
• racoons
• james joyce
• jane austin
• us-latin america relations

Music, Movies, and Books

Babe by George Miller, Fanny & Alexander by Ingmar Bergman, Memories of Underdevelopment by Tomás Gutierrez Alea, David Lynch

Ulysses by James Joyce, Wuthering Heights by Emily Brönte, The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Seinfeld, Atlanta, The Simpsons, Twin Peaks, Spongebob Squarepants

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I recently spent a semester in Habana, Cuba. As a US citizen, Cuba was really important to gain perspective on the world. So much of its history, and the US's history trying to define and control it, give the other side of the US identity. I've known the facts of this for years before, but to be there for 4 months and experience it was vital. Beyond the context of the US, I feel I have a new home in Habana, and made very close friends I will keep and return to forever. Those 4 months of getting to know and love Cuba, with all its difficulties as well, was amazing. Finding a new home in Cuba is "one amazing thing I've done," ha.

((disclaimer - not saying I am a full supporter of the Cuban government, that's a whole involved, and very complicated conversation. But the Cuban people I do love and support wholly))

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some Spanish! Or a lot of things about movies and film history (or Star Wars alone).
I can teach about still photography. I can teach how to salsa dance ("casino," the Cuban style of salsa).

I would like to learn whatever you have to share!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Warm conversation and friendship, I also have two dogs so I can help with pets. I have also been a babysitter and worked at a kids' party place, so I can help with kids. Not a great cook, but I can follow instructions well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Colombia, Cuba, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cuba, United States