I’m a special education teacher (on sabbatical) and artist.

Some things that I love - making art, making music, meeting interesting people from around the world for cultural exchanges, making and sharing delicious vegetarian meals, travel, sailing, hotsprings, hiking, time in nature, working with horses, growing food and gardening, volunteering with causes that I care about, documentary films, and comedy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As a traveler, it has been so enriching to stay with people in their homes and communities. For me, the richest travel is rootsy, authentic travel, and Couchsurfing is such a great way to do that.

I first got on Couchsurfing when it started back in 1999/2000 and have hosted dozens of people and stayed with people all over the world.

Interests

I grew up with horses and near the ocean, so those two interests have always been dear to me. I’m also a nerd for geology, geopolitics, social justice, and sustainability.

Sharing vegetarian meals, comedy, connection, laughter, community, service, beauty, art, gardens, hiking, rollerskating, wildcrafting, local food, cultural exchange, education, kayaking, surfing, sailing, mountain biking, hotsprings, travel, making and writing music, yoga, snowboarding, allyship to causes I care deeply about, including support of the LGBTQIA+ community, a free Palestine, anti-fascism, social justice causes, environmental and humanitarian causes, always learning, and committed to health and wellness.

• horses
• surfing
• sailing
• travel
• art

Music, Movies, and Books

Music I’m currently digging: Cradle by Starling Arrow and El Bueno y El Malo, by Los Hermanos Gutiérrez. José Gonzalés’ Local Valley is gorgeous, and Lido Pimienta is my favorite. ✨

Book I recently liked: Thunder Song - Essays by Coast Salish writer/poet/activist/punk, Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe

Movie and Shows: Outlander, Schitt’s Creek, Queer Eye, Heated Rivalry. The best movie I’ve seen recently was “Maudie” about Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis.

I listen to a lot of geopolitical and anarchist podcasts.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm pretty fond of the memory of flying in a hot air balloon with my father over Cappadocia, Turkey at sunrise.

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught art for years, so love to support people in getting creative. I also really love to cook vegetarian dishes and have a green thumb in the garden.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A delicious vegetarian meal, a cup of coffee or tea, an art lesson, great conversation, a hike, laughs, and an empathetic, listening ear.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Chile, China, Ireland, Mexico, Spain, United States