CURRENT MISSION

To see and learn about the world by knowing the people of the world, one person at a time

ABOUT ME

I've lived all over the US, starting in Boston and ending up in New Mexico where I studied cultural anthropology at the University of NM. I came to the UK as part of a university exchange 5 years ago, and while I was studying I met my partner in crime. We've been married for 4 years now and life is great. We met at the university's samba band, Barking Bateria, which we both still play in. Most of our social life revolves around gigging all over the London alt scene - anything from street festivals to protests to underground parties. It's a great way to get involved in exciting and artistic endeavors that you'd otherwise never hear about! A couple of years ago we got introduced to the UK and European Burning Man communities though some bandmates; now that's a big part of the direction we're moving in life, on and off stage. I work for a drug and alcohol treatment service in London and so next year I'll be co-leading the psychedelic welfare service at the European regional burn in Spain. There's not much else to say about me...my other main hobby is sewing. I mostly make historically inspired costumes am moving more into steampunk.

PHILOSOPHY

Be excellent to each other!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I joined CS just before I moved to the UK but never really used it. One of my friends was hosting a lot the summer before I left Albuquerque; I met a few of the surfers and thought it seemed like a great way to make connections, person to person across the the state/country/world, which is what I'm all about! Then school (and then life) took some unexpected turns and by the time I was traveling again in Europe all I had to do was shout out to the burner community for a couch to crash on. Now I'm traveling more widely and hoping to connect with a wider community of like-minded, couch-having beings :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've never used this service before, but when I traveled in France a few years ago, I started out knowing one person and ended up working my way across the country through various connections I made along the way. It was a great experience and I'd love to have more like it!! The world is so big with so infinitely much to see and experience; when you travel it's nice to meet someone who can show you what makes their corner of it special :)

Interests

I have lot of interests with not a lot of time! But I love making anything crafty, especially if it involves textiles. I also love to dance - tango, english country, blues, bellydance...and of course a good ol' bassy stomp! I always have a book in my bag - usually sci-fi/fantasy but recently I've been reading non-fiction novels written by journalists, which is a great genre. I'm interested in history, science and politics, always reading articles and watching documentaries. I've very passionate about health policy, and evidence-based drug policy in particular.

• books
• documentaries
• festivals
• dancing
• tango
• partying
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• blues
• anthropology
• history
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

I've just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed - what and inspiring book!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Surviving the European Burning Man event last year, despite an actual outbreak of dysentery, 115 degree F heat every day, and the worst summer storms anyone can remember at the event - and still showing up for all my shifts and having a GREAT time - is one of the experiences I'm most proud of.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, India, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States