I was born and raised in Chicago and I love sharing this great city with travelers and continue to explore it myself. I'm vegetarian and can recommend good vegetarian places to eat in Chicago!

With me and travel, it was love at first sight! I have always loved meeting people from other backgrounds and learning about other ways of being in the world.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Gambia and Costa Rica. Both of these experiences taught me the importance of getting myself outside my comfort zone and adjusting to something different. This is why I continue to seek experiences that help me do this.

Teaching and education are topics that I love exploring and discussing. Mindfulness and nonviolence are also areas that I'm constantly learning more about.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've experienced such love and care from strangers during my own travels that I want to pay it forward now that I have a welcoming space to offer to other travelers.

Couchsurfing is awesome, but I see it as way more than just a free place to crash while you're traveling. To me, it's all about making connections with other people. That's why I ask that if you are requesting to stay with me, please take the time to write a personalized request. If you send me a generic request, you can expect an equally generic decline.
If you're sending me a request, please read the "My Home" section of my profile as well. Thanks!

Interests

I love learning new things, I especially love learning about different people, cultures, customs, ways of doing things and thinking about the world.
I really enjoy reading, especially something that can change my perspective or challenge my way of thinking!

• education
• vegetarian
• live music
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Ani DiFranco, Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, Sones de Mexico, Bela Fleck, Habib Koite, Bob Dylan, Sona Jobarteh, Xavier Rudd

Favorite books: So many! But the ones that have consistently stayed at the top of my list since I first read them many, many years ago (and reread them since) are: In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
New favorites: The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute, Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just going on this journey of life is pretty amazing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Gambia, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Scotland, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Gambia, India, United States