CURRENT MISSION

Too many countries and too little time to make friends the world over. Would like to do my part to spread peace and good will. Am eager to learn more about different cultures and traditions.

ABOUT ME

Youthful 70+ years old, fit, unconventional, patient, friendly, flexible, happy, outgoing, non-smoking, energetic U.S. woman always open to a great adventure. Enjoy lots of interests including people, sports, healthy eating, nature and the outdoors, music, languages, humor travel writing, reading, international travel, baking, and life's simple things and (mis)adventures. Travel is my passion and meeting people from around the world is one of my top interests. I'll try most anything once, as long as it's legal and doesn't risk "life or limb." :-)

PHILOSOPHY

*Take time to stop and smell the roses.
*Travel is the world's best education, and laughter is the best medicine.
*It's the journey and not the destination.
*A stranger often is just a friend you haven't yet met.
*Be kind to the planet we share.
*Waste not; want not.
*You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
*You don't have to get it right; you just have to get it going.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Have enjoyed wonderful CS stays in Bulgaria and Switzerland in August and September. Hope to host more in the near future. It depends on where I am living and the situation with my older brother, who has Asperberger's Autism. Many thanks for reading this far!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

***Please note that I like to host Couchsurfers who plan to stay with me at least TWO nights. Sorry that I prefer not to host one-night Couchsurfers. Thanks for your understanding. Also, a few days' notice would be helpful. Appreciate it.***

Have experienced homestays with both Couchsurfing and the homestay organization Servas in many places, Both are amazing organizations that bring the world together.

Interests

People, cross-cultural exchange, slow marathons and triathlons, swimming, cycling, team sports, reading, healthful eating, languages, trains, music, folk traditions, the outdoors, good movies, baking, collecting antique postcards, volunteer work, dogs, the Olympics, travel, world events, and life's simple things.

• dogs
• writing
• books
• education
• baking
• fitness
• movies
• reading
• team sports
• traveling
• volunteer work
• socializing
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• surfing
• sports
• olympics
• swimming
• teaching
• languages
• law
• medicine
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical, folk, easy-listening, opera, movie themes, etc.

"How to" and "self help" books, travel, Lonely Planet publications, philosophy, health, cookbooks, best-sellers, biographies, etc.

Movies with a good story, a lesson to be learned, a good laugh, great scenery, etc. "Out of Africa," "Hopscotch," "Sound of Music," "Seven Years in Tibet," "Schindler's List," and more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Ask me to describe the winter ride north of the Arctic Circle on a Sami runaway reindeer sled in Finland.

Have made the pilgrimage to the tiny Italian mountain village where my paternal grandparents were born and lived prior to their coming to America in 1906.

Just being alive/healthy and enjoying such wonderful travel experiences full of new places and faces are amazing things to me.

Have completed 27 marathons and 5 triathlons since first starting my "slow" return to fitness at age 47. Don't ask me my times, but let's just say I always finish standing up and smiling.

Held up a sign with The Trip Chicks on it (our travel agency's nickname) in front of Oprah during her visit to Atlanta, and she yelled out our name in reply!

Teach, Learn, Share

Am an expert packer and trip planner with lots of insider travel tips from my 26+ years in the travel and airline industry. I'm also a European rail buff and travel humor writer working on my first book.

Have a Master's degree in teaching English as a Foreign Language. Think I have a relatively good ear for other languages.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A decent meal or two , my sense of humor, our travel tales, and my eagerness to learn more about people and cultures of the world we share.

IMPORTANT:

** Please note that I am able to host only Couchsurfers with proof they are fully-Covid-vaccinated. A negative Covid quick test within the past 48 hours is strongly preferred. Sorry to sound paranoid, but I am a senior citizen, and I want to be super careful.

** Because I have frequent guests and I myself travel a lot, I ask you please for at least one week's notice if you are requesting hosting from me. Thanks for your understanding. Happy traveling, everyone!

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French part), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Germany, Russian Federation, South Korea, Switzerland, United States

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