ABOUT ME

Hello!

My name is Jessica, from California, USA. When I am not traveling, I am working as a researcher in an environmental consulting firm.Besides paying off student loans, when I am able to scrap enough money, I love to travel! I've backpacked through Europe, Asia/ Southeast Asia, Costa Rica, and North America (Canada/Mexico).My number one priority when I am in a new country is EATING. When possible, I try to go to as many street food vendors as I can. At the same time, I also always make sure to visit a McDonald's to try out the 'local' special, from paneer wraps in India to double prosperity burgers in malaysia. yum! 

PHILOSOPHY

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.”  

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

When traveling, I would love to meet locals and fellow travelers alike!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I'm new to CS, so I have yet to experience it, but hope to start soon. :)

Interests

When I am not traveling, I enjoy reading and dreaming about my next destination.

• dining
• reading
• traveling
• hiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Whenever I get homesick, I like to listen to Phantom Planet's 'California'. :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While taking an easy hike/stroll in Borneo, about ~10 leeches latched on to me. I wasn't sure how to get rid of them at the time, so they were on me for over 30+ minutes, getting plump and juicy from my blood. Finally, some locals used a lighter to burn them off me. Turns out, this was not the best way to get rid of them since they may regurgitate on you, leading to infections etc. Luckily, nothing of that sort happened. However, I now know that to get rid of leeches, you can simply use your thumb nail to firmly push them off. This is not the most amazing thing that happened to me, but something I will never forget.