Heather Raftery's Photo

Verified Profile

  • Payment verified
  • Phone verified
  • Government ID not verified

Not Accepting Guests

  • Last login almost 5 years ago

Join Couchsurfing to see Heather’s full profile.

Overview

  • 3 references 2 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Portuguese, Spanish
  • 38, Female
  • Member since 2014
  • Consultant/Social Scientist
  • BA in Anthropology, MA in International Studies
  • From Tucson, AZ, USA
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

To live simply and beautifully. To love the same.

ABOUT ME

I am a social scientists by education, a jiu jitsu artist by lifestyle and passion, a professional researcher by trade, and a citizen of the world by birth. I'm believe in the philosophy of acceptance of all, regardless of color, culture, or religion. I love to meet people with huge smiles, loud laughter, quick wits, inspirational lives, deep philosophical musings, and golden hearts.

PHILOSOPHY

We make our own truths about the world, reality, life, love, happiness, tolerance, and everything else. Make them grand.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

By sharing what I have with whoever might host me or be hosted by me. What is mine, is yours. :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I had a previous profile for several years, couchsurfed in some amazing places, and hosted a couple equally amazing people.

Interests

Traveling (of course!), practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, running, biking, dancing, surfing, eating new foods (most accurate description of sea urchin sushi... "it tastes like the ocean sneezed in my mouth"), trying new things (like butt darts), meeting interesting people (like the one-eyed 6'3" photographer at a company event who engineered his very own photographic eyeball). As far as all the random miscellaneous things in life that make me happy, they include: handlebar mustaches, a good Belgian sour ale, cinnamon sugar covered donuts, over-cooked macaroni & cheese (seriously, weird, I know), small furry critters, clean-smelling Gis, classic cars (the rustier the better), salmon sashimi, walking barefoot, the smell of IcyHot, organic bananas (they totally taste different), rosemary bread fresh out of the oven generously slathered in butter or olive oil.

  • animals
  • culture
  • coloring
  • dancing
  • education
  • cheese
  • running
  • walking
  • traveling
  • cars
  • socializing
  • darts
  • cycling
  • surfing
  • jiu jitsu
  • teaching
  • religion
  • volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Eclectic.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1) Spent several months as a research volunteer on a wild game reserve in South Africa, and saw a mother leopard kill a warthog during that time.
2) Worked on an archaeological dig and hitchhiked on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.
3) Trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on four different continents.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have taught Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last several years, and I can teach you how to defend yourself in a bar fight. I can change the oil and adjust the valves in a vintage car. I am an expert petter of animals, waterer of plants, and washer of dishes (so plan on kicking your feet up while you host me!). I can teach you how to drive stick shift. I also know a little bit about tracking animals, you know, just in case.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Join Couchsurfing to see Heather’s full profile.

My Groups