FOR GUESTS: Just moved apartments, so I will not be able to host until I am all settled in. Sorry!

After two years of being a digital nomad, I've decided to (maybe temporarily, maybe permanently) hunker down and plant some roots in beautiful Budapest as I do my Master's degree in Communications (which would be my third career change, as I did Psychology for my undergrad and then went to law school... hopefully this one sticks!)

I used to think that happiness meant changing the world, but I've recently come to realize that happiness, for me, means freedom to do whatever I want and make some sort of positive change in the process. I love gardening, swimming, photography, art (mostly post-impressionists/expressionists), and exploring new cities. I'd like to think I'm very lucky in many ways, and I try to live my life with gratitude and positivity every day! Always up for an adventure!

Check out my travels on my socials (also verify that I'm an actual human): @meowmariel / @nonbackpacker

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've tried Couchsurfing a few times and met some really really lovely people through this website so I'm looking to continue that streak. I'm looking to meet other travelers who happen to go to the same places I do, or maybe even in the place I live. Always happy to make new friends and exchange cultures!

Music, Movies, and Books

My music taste really depends on my mood, but I usually go for indie music or old rock/pop (think ABBA, RHCP, Beatles). As for movies, I love everything except horror -- I particularly enjoy ones with striking cinematography and ones that leave you scratching your head after watching it. Lastly, my favorite book is If on a winter night a traveler, by Italo Calvino, and I mostly like fiction but I also enjoy books about politics and history :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went "backpacking" through Southeast Asia with a huge suitcase. Lugging that thing around on the dirt roads of Laos wasn't easy but makes for a hilarious story. I also visited 20 EMEA countries in one year while being on a strict student budget :)

Other things I can't believe happened:
- Went to Taiwan for a week with only 100 euros and a dream
- Crossed the Cambodia-Vietnam border via boat (the immigration office was interesting)
- Took a 20-hour bus from Laos to Vietnam (with no bathroom breaks!)
- Did the Ha Giang Loop and survived!
- Moved halfway across the world for my master's degree
- Visited the museum of my dreams -- the Van Gogh Museum -- in Amsterdam
- Slept (and almost froze to death) in the Sahara desert
- Pet 50 cats in Turkey

What I Can Share with Hosts

Filipino culture and (international) politics, unhinged travel stories, advice from a psychology graduate, tips on graphic design/social media, how to speak Tagalog/Filipino/Spanish, some Filipino dishes, and of course, a travel buddy!

Countries I’ve Visited

Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hungary, Philippines