I am a coffee enthusiast, a cocktail of paradoxes, a professor of international relations, career coach and former diplomat. Love to dance, joke, cook, practice aikido, archery and taekwondo.

Priority: Making connection, listening and hearing, having fun and making life today better. After having raised my two daughters, I live solo on Burnaby mountain and enjoy the view of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean from the balcony.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

During my years of working at the UN, I travelled extensively and visited dozens of countries on all continents except Australia (nothing personal, mates, there are rarely UN conferences down under). This became a habit. You know that airport feeling when you are with a boarding pass in your hand, heading to another world.

Authentic smaller places are better than famous tourist attractions. Meeting locals and making real connections is even better.

Interests

• cooking
• martial arts
• archery
• cinema
• massage
• cultural differences
• wilderness skills
• cooking together

Music, Movies, and Books

Eclectic musical taste. Everything except the hysterical jazz and horror films.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I helped negotiate the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Worked in UN diplomacy for the European Union.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach self-defence and massage ( certifications in classical, Thai and cosmetic massage). Also persuasion and body language for professional success.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories from UN diplomacy and travel.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bulgaria, Canada, France, United States