CURRENT MISSION

Take a break and make a change

ABOUT ME

We've lived for the last 9 years in the SF Bay Area, California. Paul worked a 9-5 job as a DBA and Mary photographed weddings. We were feeling like hamsters on wheels so we decided to rent our apartment, sell some things, and come to South America and see what it would be like to do something completely different for a minimum of 6 months. We've met many wonderful people and been fortunate to have received great suggestions about doing this or understanding that. Learning to roll with changes and the experience has been a most welcome adventure.

PHILOSOPHY

Paul: Go out and do what you want to do!

Mary: Love is the answer no matter what the question is.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We learned about CS from a Brazilian friend. She thought it would be a great way for us to meet people and get to know the culture. We've hosted people at home through word of mouth before and agree it is great for both the surfers and hosts to experience the world.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

One of our friends back in the states is a vocalist and musician whose trademark is "yoga of the voice" She askes from time to time if we can host an out of town student. We've actually never gone to an unknown person's house... yet!

Interests

We both love most things tranquilo, and especially the beach. We've hiked in several US states and on some of the larger trails such as the Appliachian Trail. We first and formost like to spend time enjoying the beauty of nature.

We both (especially Mary) are interested participants in African Diaspora religions and spirituality in general.

• culture
• beauty
• yoga
• socializing
• music
• hiking
• religion
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

We listen to grovey music like Thievery Corp. and Frou Frou, Ledisi and Bugs. Also quieter stuff like Everything But The Girl, Cowboy Junkies and Joni Mitchell. Sometimes harder and sometimes jazz, but for the most part that is what we turn to.

Mary's most recent favorite book is "Eat,Pray,Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. We both like "kids" books for fun reading. Paul reads and rereads the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter books.

The film Office Space is a sacred testimony to the horrors of Paul's former worklife. We love Miyazaki, science fiction and other stuff...M. Night Shyamalan as a director comes to mind.O

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sunset in the Sierras, Sunrise in Mexico, Mt. Shasta any time of day, a blue herron at dusk in New Hampshire, wild flocks of Maccaws in San Francisco, California, a penguin, a mountain lion, a bear, some moose, some eagles; a family of wild pigs at night under a full moon (at a distance)and many, many deer

Hiking through the highest swamp in the world and finding our way back out alive.

Our recoveries from serious accidents.

Teach, Learn, Share

Paul is very experienced with computers and is always glad to lend this experience. Mary was/is? (hard to say since we are changing everything) a professional photographer. She fascilitates lightbody work. We always look forward to sharing our talents.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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