CURRENT MISSION

To run a marathon in 2011

ABOUT ME

I'm happy-go-lucky, curious about the world and its people, making my way, taking my time. I like the excitement of arriving in a new place, and listening to stories about places I've never been. I like wandering around bookshops in foreign cities. I'm a history-lover, a free spirit. Two things make me smile - the sound of laughter, and swimming in the ocean. And, to borrow a line from John Denver, sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy!

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm new to this - just figuring it out! But it's staggering to see so many like-minded people connecting from all over the wider world.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I met a random couchsurfer in Portugal when I was backpacking there, and I went out for dinner with him, his host, his host's neighbour, and a few more couchsurfers!! It was a window into another world, another way of experiencing the world. I thought, 'There's a first time for everything!', and that's why I'm taking my first steps into couchsurfing today!

Interests

Stories...funny stories, sad stories, spine-tingling stories. I like food - international flavours. I like the ocean. And hiking. Snowboarding, I love. Architecture. Photography, but not my own. Other people's pictures always tell a better story. Most of all, I love words - books, newspapers, magazines, blogs... you name it, I'll read it!

• books
• architecture
• photography
• festivals
• dining
• marathon
• running
• gardening
• music
• folk music
• guitar
• hiking
• backpacking
• snowboarding
• swimming
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I recently watched 'The Motorycle Diaries' and then bought the book so I could re-live it, word-for-word. I love books about travel and adventure. Lately, I've become hung-up on stories of survival. It started when I read 'Alive' then 'Adrift' and then 'Into The Wild'. Now I'm reading 'Touching The Void'. I also recently read 'The Alchemist' and liked that too. I collect books - not recommended when you're backpacking - but I can't help myself. Music and movie interests are eclectic - I love film soundtracks!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I saw a musician turn a normal, every-day garden-variety carrot into a musical instrument at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, and play a few notes with it. It totally transformed the way I look at humble vegetables like carrot.
I also ran a half-marathon in Galway - that was an amazing achievement for me!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm learning to play the guitar. It's something I've often thought about doing, and now that I'm living in Galway, surrounded by lively Irish trad and folk music, I decided it was time... and I love it!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

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