(See FB, I'm public) I'm a really young 54 yr old gal who spent 3 years dealing with cancer and my mother dying. I realized, that unlike most of you..... I didn't travel much when I was young. I worked myself close to death. And now, my long time career as a chef and restaurateur is over and I am traveling. I took a little dog with me and for 2 years we drove around the Yucatan and Central America. Now I’m headed home. My little dog died on day of the dead, in Oaxaca, so now I’m more alone. It does mean I get to do more things and go more places though! I Don't have kids. broke up with a girlfriend before I left the US (I've had 2 of them and 1 boyfriend over the years) and I do drink and eat almost anything and I don’t do yoga enough but do try to make it to gym fairly often.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m here because a friend made me! That and without my dog it’s gotten harder to meet people. And I really like meeting locals and fellow travelers. I’m just trying to have as much fun as possible- cause fun.... it's the best thing to have!

Interests

Traveling, dogs, staying up late talking politics, science, religion, restaurants and more. I'm learning how to chillax. Been type A my whole life-done with that

• dogs
• cooking
• drinking
• traveling
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• solo travel
• storytelling
• restaurants
• debate

Music, Movies, and Books

I like to laugh.... so disco, Abba, 50's rock & roll, Doo wop and punk rock. And of course.... classic rock Jackie brown, shawshank, man on fire, goodfellas, rocky horror, Katherine Hepburn, Cary grant, the thin man series.... Embarrassed mystery reader: sue grafton, Marsha mueller, Janet evonovitch, John sanford, Constant seeker of knowledge on politics, science & psychology!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Didn't die when I overdosed on heroin at age 23. Ok... fine... I've been a mentor and a really good boss to 100's of people. Many have gone on to be chef-owners, top chef on tv (well, pastry chef), or moved back to their home countries to build homes & families with a proverbial trust fund. Even the kids I've had to fire say I'M amazing. Not sure why.... but...

Teach, Learn, Share

I've been a teacher forever. Anything I know I share! After 30 years in the restaurant biz I am a treasure trove of cooking, wine, bar and restaurant info. I can keep pace with Anthony bourdain. I love sharing fun times with younger people and hearing their tales of adventure

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can cook! Im super clean and And I'm easy to talk with. And I can tell when someone wants private time of their own.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, United States