CURRENT MISSION

Be another bright spot during your stay in Washington. And hopefully spark some new friendships and pen pals

ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Nicole. I've lived in DC for nearly 8 years and really love it. My parents are retired military so I was born in Nuremberg, Germany, spent my formative years in South Korea and Japan, and with the wanderlust bug have since traveled to Aruba, France, England, and all around the United States. Having enjoyed a few places in the world and the kindness of many people I've met along the way, I'm happy to open my apartment to fellow travelers as a way of extending the hospitality.

PHILOSOPHY

There are a few philosophies that I subscribe to, and they all circle back to living well and fostering good relationships.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

At the moment only to host. But will be traveling to Italy in late Spring so hope to try becoming a surfer for the first time.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

The last time I couch surfed was a few years ago and it was amazing. My friend and I road tripped throughout California and stayed with friends along the way. One place was the home of a former classmate who lives in a beautiful house on the hill in San Marin County. Our hosts plied us with wine and food, played guitar for us and prepared a large comfortable bed in a private room. The next morning, breakfast was served, and we ate while watching the mountains from their living room windows. Best experience so far.

Interests

So many interests! To know me is to know my love of food. I'm an awesome thrift store shopper, and can suss out a $10 antique table with no problem. But food is where I no doubt indulge. I love taking in or preparing big meals with people. Seems I'm always preparing some brunch or dinner for friends as just a way to bring them together.

But away from the dining table I enjoy design, music, fashion, photography, etc. I love a good road trip to small towns and beaches, and taking day trips to go hiking in Shenandoah Valley.

• design
• fashion
• photography
• dining
• breakfast
• wine
• thrifting
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• hiking
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Musical tastes skews towards indie or alternative rock, but I enjoy soul, hip hop, jazz, funk, classic rock, folk, etc. Artists like xx, Andrew Bird, Fleet Foxes, Mayer Hawthorne, Res, Broods, The Black Keys, etc.

I love reading and am prone to piping up at the words "bookstore" :) I enjoy historical fiction. The last few books I've read were "Everyday Is For the Thief" by Teju Cole, "Just Kids" by Patti Smith, "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie", "This Is How You Lose Her "by Junot Diaz.

Movie genres vary: foreign films, documentaries, comedies, dramas, action.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of my best travel experiences was road tripping for two weeks with my best friend from Southern to Northern California in the summer of 2009. Dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean along Big Sur, hiking in Muir Woods, late night live shows in LA, listening to the LA symphony serenade us at the Hollywood Bowl, riding tandem bikes along San Diego streets, staying with friends all along the way, seeing the Dennis Hopper exhibit at the Getty museum. It was a life-changing experience, and despite having lost most of the pictures from the trip as mementos, it's one of my most vivid memories.

Teach, Learn, Share

I speak a little French and am excited to learn more. I've been to France once about 9 years ago and am planning a trip with four girlfriends this Fall so I've been practicing. Any native speakers who can give me pointers are more than welcome!

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, France, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, South Korea, United States