Yi-Chen and Maria are two best friends who met on a camping trip and since then have enjoyed hiking, traveling and camping together.

CURRENT MISSION

Walk more, learn more.

ABOUT ME

Yi-Chen
I’m from Taichung, the biggest city in central Taiwan. I’m open-minded, friendly, and love meeting people from different backgrounds. New ideas and stories inspire me, and I’m always up for travel adventures—exploring local life and avoiding the usual tourist spots.

Maria
I’m a musicologist turned German teacher originally from central Germany who loves traveling, hiking, surfing, and learning languages. When I travel, I’m especially drawn to cultural, design and music spaces, but I also enjoy exploring historic sites and nature.

PHILOSOPHY

Yi-Chen
If you don’t love yourself, how can anyone else love you? :) People judge what they don’t understand, but they respect what they take the time to understand.

Maria
All learning is valuable and helps broaden your horizons.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Yi-Chen
I once traveled around Taiwan, and the cost of accommodation was a real burden. One night I stayed at a church with some aborigines — they were super kind, and we sang and talked until sunrise. It was unforgettable! I love traveling, but not just for shopping or tourist spots. What excites me most is exchanging culture, experiences, and stories. So let me join in on your local life — I’m eager to learn more about your country and meet people who want to share their stories.

Maria

When I went cycling and camping in Penghu and Eastern Taiwan, or traveled abroad, chatting with locals and getting their tips on favorite cafés, restaurants, and cultural spots etc. has always been a highlight. Exploring a place through local eyes gives a deeper understanding of the culture and environment.

Interests

Yi-Chen
Baseball!! If you’re a fan too, I’d love to catch a Taiwanese pro game with you. I also enjoy swimming, badminton, reading, movies, and traveling. I love chatting, meeting new friends, and being outdoors.

Maria
Music!! — indie, post rock, punk , … almost anything — If you love music too, we can check out a gig together!
Hiking, cycling, surfing/bodyboarding, snorkeling; reading, learning languages, some handcrafts (e.g. cross-stitching), baking.

• movies
• reading
• live music
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• snorkeling
• snowboarding
• baseball
• table tennis
• australian football
• badminton
• biking

Music, Movies, and Books

Yi-Chen
Interstellar and Inception — Nolan at his best!
Poldark, For N (Nのために), Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale (賽德克·巴萊), KANO, Summer Times (夏天協奏曲)

Maria
books: Jane Austen novels (especially the annotated versions by David M. Shapard), Anne Frank: Het achterhuis; many books on politics/political science, history, sociology, gender studies and postcolonial studies, music and culture
films: independent/documentary films; some more mainstream films such as KANO, etc.; some Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese tv dramas

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Yi-Chen
Slept on the grass, with the wind in the trees and the sound of insects all night.

Maria
Cycling and camping around the Penghu islands for 6 days, enjoying wonderful sceneries, hiking and many beautiful sunsets.

Teach, Learn, Share

Yi-Chen & Maria
There’s a Chinese saying: ‘Among three people walking together, one can always be my teacher.’ And Seneca also believed: ‘While we teach, we learn.’ Simply put, there’s always someone to learn from. I believe everyone is a story full of experiences worth sharing, and it’s that sharing that makes life so interesting.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Nice chat, tea, coffee

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Taiwan