Hi there! I'm Lauren (I also go by Ren). I am a curious, adventurous, happy-go-lucky ambivert by nature. I love to go on outdoor adventures, explore cities, practice yoga, and take photographs. And of course, I love to travel :)

As a young child, I had opportunities to travel with my family since both of my parents were in the airlines. This sparked in me a passion for exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing other cultures and traditions.

While I cherish the travel experiences I had as a child, I am looking for a different experience on my next adventure. I plan to stay in hostels most of the time to connect with other like-minded travelers, and would really love to try Couchsurfing for the first time.

I've always admired the mission of the Couchsurfing community, along with the common belief that one of the best ways to experience a place is by connecting with locals.

In February 2017, I leave on a ~4 month adventure to parts of the world that have always intrigued me, including Seattle, India, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. I will be partaking in a Yoga Teacher Training Program for 1 of those months, and the rest will be spent exploring.

After I return, I will move back to New York City where I intend to one day open up my home to return the favor to fellow Couchsurfers exploring the east coast.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To have travel experiences authentic to the local way.

To connect with and eventually meet other like-minded people.

Interests

• dogs
• photography
• cooking
• baking
• yoga
• meditation
• reading
• painting
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• solo travel
• adventure travel
• budget travel
• eating
• adventure
• learning new things
• learning
• healthy lifestyle
• vegetarian cooking

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I love discovering new kinds (like downtempo trip-hop, electronica jazz, etc. - usually genres combined into super specific vibes), I also love genres like Classic Rock, Indie, and Folk, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Angus & Julia Stone, Bahamas, the Avett Brothers, Tycho, Khruangbin, Summer Heart, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Florence + the Machine, etc.
Books: Growing up I didn't love reading, but it's become one of my favorite activities since then. I enjoy Herman Hesse, Paulo Coehlo, George Orwell, John Steinbeck, among many others. Always open to book recommendations!
Movies: Star Wars, The Godfather, A Bronx Tale, Pretty Woman, Hector and the Search for Happiness, The Notebook, The Parent Trap, Inception, The Matrix, V for Vendetta, Harry Potter, Guardians of the Galaxy, Catch Me if You Can, The Graduate
TV Shows: Breaking Bad, Prison Break, White Collar, Shameless, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Scandal, Gilmore Girls, Bob's Burgers, Parks & Rec

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Swam with Great White Sharks (in a cage, of course) in Gansbaai, South Africa where the majority of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" footage is filmed.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: wordpress website development, how to navigate the NYC Subway, Yoga (not yet certified, but soon will be!), healthy recipes,

Learn: I'm an open book, curious and always open to learning new things! I love listening to/watching people when they are in their "flow;" when they are doing or talking about the things that they love, that light their souls on fire. You could literally talk to me about the art of removing gum from the bottom of a shoe if that's what you really love. Passion will always engage me.

Share: Sometimes when I travel I pack healthy-yet-delicious baked goods, so if I did pack them (and I didn't eat them all on the plane) I will TOTALLY share with you! I also wouldn't mind sharing an afternoon adventure or day on the town with you, too.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My curiosity about the town or city, my friendship, my respect for hosts and their homes

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Canada, France, Germany, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States