LOOKING FOR (NON SMOKING, FEMALE OR COUPLE) HOSTS IN HELSINKI OR TALLIN (OR NEARBY NATURE AREAS OR SMALL TOWNS) FOR JULY 2019 PLEASE

I am a community college professor in New York City. I am non-smoking, don't drink alcohol much, don't watch tv, and don't do any drugs. Into healthy lifestyle, quiet, nature, art, archeology, film, underground culture, cooking, hiking, kayaking, birds, photography, exploring New York City. Supportive of feminist and queer cultures. Not a big party animal. Prefer books, conversation, experiences.

I do CS for cultural exchange and to meet new people and see new things. I host because it's like getting a bit of the world to come to you! I am very helpful to visitors w/advice, maps, & ideas for NYC visits that are not touristy. I can tell you all about NY museums and art galleries : ) I like hanging out with my CS-ers if the activity is something I enjoy (taking a ferry, seeing live music) if I have time; most of the time my CS-ers are independent doing their own thing, enjoying NYC.

I live in QUEENS, NEW YORK CITY, NY -- the most diverse place on the planet. Queens is giant, but my cute small neighborhood is a historic, pretty, residential, safe neighborhood very close to Manhattan. The neighborhood is amazingly diverse: Irish, Romanian, Turkish, Nepalese, Italian, Jewish, South Asian, Ecuadorian & Colombian, at least -- families, working class, established real new york neighborhood. Lots of little restaurants and grocery stores with food from all those places, plus close to both Jackson Heights (Indian, Pakistani, Himalayan, Mexican, and GLBTQ part of Queens) and Astoria (Greek & related countries food part of Queens). It's like being in the middle of a Queens Food Tour!! Jackson Heights also has nighttime food trucks -- not organized, but just to feed all the people coming home late at night. No hotels here, but only 2 blocks to the train that will get you anywhere, anytime!! Also convenient to the two airports in Queens, as well to Penn Station and Grand Central Station.

My apartment is SMALL, warm (good heat in winter!) and quiet sanctuary from this crazy, busy city. When at home, I am BORING -- I drink herbal tea and rest. This is because NYC is so stimulating, that being home is a quiet retreat. Please respect that.

I only host women or queer couples, with references and a Facetime introduction if possible, HOUSE RULES: there's quiet hours from approximately 10pm to 10am so we can all sleep. Zzzzzz. We all need sleep because NYC takes so much energy : ) No drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, no pot, and no loud noise in the apartment, please.
I prefer guests on Friday/Saturday nights only from March to June. I am flexible at other times of the year. Thanks!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To play a small part in world peace : ) I am here to travel, explore, and to show people around NYC when I have time.

I am planning trips to Europe to see art, archeology & architecture. Also into natural hot springs/thermal springs for health.

Interests

• arts
• literature
• design
• street art
• contemporary art
• modern art
• avant-garde art
• tango
• meditation
• walking
• opera
• hiking
• art history
• mountain biking
• sleeping
• museum
• healing
• feminism
• queer
• ancient history
• france
• italy
• peace
• hot springs
• quiet
• modernism
• swim
• san francisco
• modern architecture
• mexico city
• street photography
• feminist
• sound healing
• sound art
• feminismo
• contemporary music
• intersectional feminism
• renaissance
• queer culture
• hiking in the mountains
• thermal springs

Music, Movies, and Books

Independent & avant-garde & feminist & queer culture.
Graphic novels by women (like Perspepolis) and art books.
I have organized a festival of video art about crystals.
I like the Mix experimental queer film festival in New York (it's not the big official one, but more alternative).
I am trying to find more places I haven't been in NYC.
I write about experimental film and video and about art.
I like to check out live music in very small venues in NYC, especially folk and acoustic music, but also experimental music. I go to the opera once a year, and check out performance art and dance once in a while. I go to museums all the time. NOT into big loud dance parties. Ssshhhh.
Herbal healing and cooking books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hitchhiked around New Zealand on my own when I was 18 years old.
Saw the 2017 eclipse

Teach, Learn, Share

This is NOT a hotel and NOT a free hostel!! The point of CS for me is cultural exchange, making friends, and helping out fellow travelers.

I want to learn: local nature walks and swimming holes.
teach: quiet observation and meditation, art.
I can tell you quirky things to do/see in NYC - both museums and also smaller venues and neighborhoods. NYC is full of stuff to do, as your guide book can tell you. My personal recommendations are generally about where you can have a good view, get outdoors/walk, hear music, see art, and eat cheap ethnic food. I don't know much about bars (except breweries in Long Island City -- I did a tour once!) and I don't like Broadway shows. I hate Times Square.

I can show you the building where John and Yoko lived on Central Park, tell you where to eat Colombian or Cypriot cuisine in Queens, tell you how to get to the surfing beach and eat food borscht there, and tell you which museums are free and open late.

I like to help people and give advice.. and I may join you for an outing if it's a place I want to explore too.

I LOVE ferries and boats!! You should take the ferry between Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan! I'll go with you and get a slice of pizza under the Brooklyn Bridge.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Quiet laid back presence. Imagination. English conversation. Queer cultural exchange.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cayman Islands, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Russian Federation