Well, I am leaving the States indefinitely to travel the world on my bicycle, so I’ll be taking a break from hosting for a while. I would love to continue to couchsurf myself for a bit. It has been my pleasure to host so many wonderful humans from all over the world. It has enriched my life in many ways. Whenever I settle down again I hope to host more. For now I’ll be grateful to be hosted by kind people, getting to know different cultures and ways of life.

I am an active person and enjoy anything I can do outside; running, rock climbing, surfing, cycling. I love to cycle travel, just cycled the entire island of Taiwan and last year spent several months touring Alaska on my, believe it or not, secondhand 47cm 1960 Schwinn Varsity. I then took up with a lovely family on the Kenai to care for their 19 sled dogs, horses and gardens.

I’m kind of a take it day by day person so often do not have solid plans, but instead remain open when I travel because I believe that’s where the magic happens! I like to learn from locals about their towns and culture, and life in general. I like to try new things and I think learning things together with friends is magic! I would love to meet people who will share their passions and hobbies with me and teach me how to do new things.

I do my best to share kindness with everyone I meet. I enjoy making new friends and meeting people from all over, swapping travel stories and having meaningful conversations. One of the cool things about going on adventures with new friends is you put your trust in someone you barely know - and it challenges you and grows you in so many ways. You create bonds and memories that you can come back to when you need a good laugh or a happy reminder that life is colorful and fun and worth living!

I’m not an Instagrammer (is that even the term?) but I have one and you can connect with me there if you feel so inclined. @marathetinyadventurer

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Want to meet new friends while traveling and happy to host travelers who want to genuinely connect and experience new places. I’ve hosted and house swapped with several people from here and other travel groups. I have had wonderful moments spent with newly made friends doing things they like to do. One of my favorite ways to spend time with hosts and couchsurfers is just having meals together. I think there is nothing nicer than sharing a meal. I love children also so the times I get to stay with hosts with kids are so special to me. Children are just wonderful- so full of curiosity and openness. To me, the best part of traveling is making new friends. The hardest part is leaving them when it’s time to move on. It’s not about how many places you mark on your map, it’s about the people you meet and the imprint they leave on you when you are open to them.

I’m honestly a little lost in life so I wander around looking for hope. I find it in the kindness of strangers. I once went through something deeply painful when someone I loved did something so cruel to me. I met a young man in an airport in Canada - I shared my story with him. When we stepped outside the airport he leaned down and kissed me. When I looked up at him my eyes were filled and tears fell down my face. He grabbed my chin in his hand and told me I was beautiful - then he wrapped his arms around me and let me weep on him. It’s kindness like this, moments like this, that leave imprints on us forever. When someone is unkind to you, do not forget that kindness still exists, and it will show up when you need it most. You meet the kindest people when you travel, and that’s why I appreciate couchsurfing.

Interests

• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• mountains
• nature
• kindness
• making friends
• trying new things
• writing poetry
• making friends around the world

Music, Movies, and Books

Books = novels, travel, science, philosophy, social justice, history
Fav books include The Devil in the White City and Braiding Sweetgrass
Music = classical, indie folk, indie rock, acoustic, dark cabaret
Fav musicians/bands include: Palace, Plastic Picnic, The Crane Wives, Barr Brothers, Future Generations, Daughter, Paper Kites, Junip, Yeasayer, Glass Animals, and of course good ol’ Frank Sinatra (just naming a few, but I love all kinds of music)
Movies = I don’t really watch movies or own a TV - but it’s entertaining with the right people.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I could talk about things like summiting mountains, traveling solo with complete spontaneity, yada yada. But it’s really the collection of ‘smaller’ moments that add up to an amazing life. Making a new friend in Copenhagen and taking her daughter to unicycle class, savoring that first cup of coffee in the morning, a dear friend showing up to hear me share my poetry at open mic, a grilled cheese after an ultramarathon, holding the hand of a young woman who is experiencing hurt, gratitude texting with my best friend - and the list goes on because as much as I get a kick out of big adventures, the memories I cherish the most are those simpler moments with people I love and care about, or people I am forming friendships with nearby and across the globe. Those are the things that make us who we are as people, how we are in the world. We are all connected, we just have to say ‘hi’ to each other, and be willing to take the time to do anything and nothing. Gratitude is the healing power in life, and I am grateful for everyone I cross paths with, and the big and the small moments that make an amazing life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I’ve become somewhat of a bicycle mechanic so I can teach you all about bikes! I’m always open to learning new things, anything. When you’re at my house you’re not a guest, you’re a friend.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Laughs, kindness, friendship that lasts, a helping hand or two, good conversation

I’m a poet so if the mood strikes I may write you a poem :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Greenland, Iceland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, United States, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States