CURRENT MISSION

"To graze and socialize my way around the world!" I love meeting and connecting with new people, I live to eat and am most happy when the two are combined :) I am currently on a solo trek from Central America to Antarctica (for the Summer Solstice)and then, who knows!?

ABOUT ME

I think enthusiastic is a good word to start off with when describing myself :) Faces, hand gestures and lots of noises are involved when I talk, especially about things I am passionate about (food, music, places, etc).

If I were a man I think I would either be Larry David or James Barber (chef from the old t.v. show Urban Peasant who would chatter away to his bulbs of garlic).
I laugh out loud a lot, shamelessly...usually to myself when random memories come to mind.

I prefer to be outside vs. inside (except for the fall and winter, in which case I am cat-like).

If you will sing along to Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," or Elvis' "Suspicious Minds," with me in public I think we will get along just fine :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm relatively new to CS but am looking forward to using it as a language and cultural exchange tool. Wanting to learn some English? I could probably help with that...in exchange for you forcing me to speak Spanish in your home;-)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

So far my experiences are limited to a few awesome folks in the Portland Oregan USA area. These experiences well exceded my minimal expectations and I'm looking forward to more cultural exchanges in Latin America!

Interests

Exploring music. Listening to and talking about music.

Do I need to bother mentioning food again? Doubtful ;)
Eating out counts as a full time hobby, ya?

Bowling-I'm way more into bowling than anyone under the age of 60 should be. I just love the whole culture that goes with it and find it very relaxing.

Learning Spanish!

• cats
• culture
• singing
• dining
• cooking
• eating out
• socializing
• music
• bowling
• language exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
(50's/60's pop or rock), Jazz (Sinatra, Dean Martin or big band), electronica (tribal house, house, funky house, Reggae, late 50's-70's rock n some folk.
Looove me my Devendra Banhart! Buddy Holly, Bouncing Souls, OK GO!, and Die Antwoord pretty much take up my playlist lately. Becoming a sucker for Neil Young. Will always be a sucker for Sublime. Seem to be drawn to my old Rancid and Social distortion albums lately (no idea where that came from but....) Dr.Toast, Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, City & Colour, Yeah, Yeah, yeah's....

Movies:
Big Lebowski, I Am, 50 First Dates, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Into The Wild

Books:
I'm a non-fiction mostly kinda gal:
Anthony Bourdaines Kitchen Confidential, Crossing The Swell by Tori Holmes, Paul Gleeson and Liam Gorman, Eatting Dirt by Charlotte Gill (GREAT read by a local who delivers a vivid picture of the life of a tree planter on Vancouver Island). Anthony Kiedis' Scar Tissue. Anything by Mitch Albom. Dr. Gabor Mate's In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts (fantastic read for anyone interested in the mechanics and psychology around addictions). The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In Febuary of this year, like the song 'Destination Calabria' lyrics: "I left my job, my boss, my car and my home." With my life reduced to 4 boxes, a pack, and a one way ticket I bussed across my home country of Canada for 4 days and flew to Antigua Guatemala. I like to think that is the first of a few amazing things to come.

Teach, Learn, Share

I really enjoy learning Spanish and cannot wait to learn how to cook a local dish from each country I visit!
I can teach you my version on English ;-) and talk food with you allllll day.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Pretty darn good company, some language exchange, good times, big smiles and even bigger hugs. I am super low maintenance and doubt I will be in your way much.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Guatemala