CURRENT MISSION

to travel around Europe and meet new people in a sustainable way....

ABOUT ME

Like most kiwis I love to travel and see it as part of my vocation. I've been to lots of places around the world and still have lots I'd love to see. At the moment I'm living in Bonn, Germany. Before this I was in Sweden and Hungary, where I studied my masters in environmental science, policy and management. I love meeting new people and putting myself in new and challenging situations so studying abroad at the moment is helping with that! I'm outgoing and enjoy having fun, especially like the outdoors and most outdoor activities and sports, as well as a bit of shanti shanti yoga time.

PHILOSOPHY

I like to quote Gandhi for some things that hold true for me and also him: Be the change you want to see in the world; Live like you will die tomorrow, but learn as if you will live forever.

Generally: go hard! Work hard/play hard

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm not sure just yet - but one thing is for sure - why didn't I join CS earlier?! All those couches I've slept on and had people to sleep on mine, this is just the perfect site for me! AND everyone has been talking about it for a while... So here I am and happy to participate....spread the word and that.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Great experiences! love having people to stay and staying with people :-) new and old friends alike...

Interests

Sporty things are: Diving into deep waters, Swimming in the ocean, Climbing up things - out and indoor, Hiking around things, Snowboarding down things, Yoga, Running, Biking up things and down them again.
other things are:
I love to go out and meet new people
Coffee (fair trade organic please)
Jewellery making (mainly silver)
Learning languages (at the moment spanish)
Gardens and urban agriculture (plant more!)
Cooking and eating (yum, and I always share)
learning (about everything my brain is overactive)
talking to people
having fun

• cooking
• coffee
• yoga
• running
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• scuba diving
• snowboarding
• sports
• rock climbing
• swimming
• agriculture
• languages
• science
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: most classic roots, rock, reggae styles. Love kiwi music (not just because it makes me nostalgic, but because it's so damn good!) Also lately listening to lots of Thom Yorke, LCD soundsystem, Bon Iver, Belle and Sebastian, Bedouin Soundclash, and lots more.
Generally open minded but not keen to be stuck in a tent playing loud house or trance, but thanks for the offer...
Books vary: So many I've read, from novels to more indepth stuff. e.g. at the moment I'm reading the rise and fall of communism by Archie Brown, but also just finished the Steg Larsson trilogy and also Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pallen.
Fav authors: Wendell Berry, Tom Robbins, Peter Rosset, my mum (Lesley Dowding), Gabriel Garcia Marquez, John Irving, Khaled Hossieni.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Waking up at Annapurna Base camp.
Inca Valley, Peru.
Living on a beach in Costa Rica.
Spiti Valley, India.
Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom