CURRENT MISSION

To see more of the Western US while working on a writing project. Planning a trip to South America in 2020.

*Glitch in address verification. Postcard did not arrive and I am finally getting around to ordering another.*

ABOUT ME

Cheerful, outgoing, active, fun. Fencing, diving, hiking, kayaking, foreign film, French language, majong, cooking, and eating European cheese are a few of my favorite things.

PHILOSOPHY

Exploring, trying new things, and enjoying the good makes life meaningful and exciting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted and been hosted. Meeting interesting people and seeing how they live has broadened my horizons in ways I had not imagined. It has been a marvelous experience.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have enjoyed hosting and surfing. I've made friends through Couchsurf and look forward to future adventures.

Interests

Scuba, fencing, hiking, kayaking, cooking, biking, poetry, science, being creative, French language, and all things animal make life fun.

Archeology, history, primatology, paleontology, and linguistics are areas of special interest.

• animals
• arts
• culture
• writing
• poetry
• cooking
• cheese
• pottery
• music
• hiking
• kayaking
• scuba diving
• fencing
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Antonia's Line, Raise the Red Lantern, A Man Called Ove, Zombieland, and Bohemian Rhapsody for movies.

Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Shameless, VEEP, Doc Martin for tv.

I read a lot of nonfiction, science, politics, current affairs, and memoir. Short stories and poetry are also favorites.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Watching the Arenal Volcano erupt in Costa Rica from a hot pool of water heated by the mountain. The view from Gruyere Castle in Switzerland after running across the mountain top "Sound of Music" style. Seeing early cave art in St. Germain en Laye, France that made me cry. Discovering the wonders of Moche pottery in South America.

I'm proud to have made a difference in places I've visited. While on vacation in Florida, I volunteered at a nonprofit vet clinic where I chose the dirty work, including mopping floors, cleaning instruments of blood and tissue on $12 Chihuahua Day. A row of uncontentious chihuahuas one their backs with shaved privates is quite a sight.

On a trip to El Salvador, I brought suitcases of books, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Kool-Aid to an orphanage, buying socks and playground equipment after I arrived. The day I spent playing basketball with the kids is one of the best of my life.

I got a private tour of the ancient Hawaiian village where Outbreak was filmed. After pulling my kayak up to see what the collection of huts were, I carefully passed signs telling me to go no farther. The one elderly Hawaiian who took care of the place and kept people out, gave me a tour that included the birthing hut.

Teach, Learn, Share

People from other parts of the world. I especially those who understand a bit of their own culture and like to share it. I look forward to conversation with those engaged in the world.

All photos are within the last years except the two on water which are five. The picture with coolers is me with Portland's Free Hot Soup, a loosely organized group that manages to feed large numbers of people who live outside five days each week including all holidays.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Great cook and enjoy feeding friends. Have fencing equipment and enjoy giving beginner's lessons. Have lots of stories from my travels.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, England, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City State