A curious wanderer at heart, but usually stuck in an office somewhere because I am also super passionate about improving population and public health. Moved a lot as a kid so now it feels weird when I don't to change cities every few years.

When I am not working in public health, I like to illustrate, or learn to make things.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I never thought I would have a strong opinion on "Why I'm on Couchsurfing" but after having used it for a while now and seeing how some people understand it, I have a few thoughts of my own:

For me, Couchsurfing is *not* just about saving money while traveling, but as a way to really engage deeper with people in the places I visit. So I really hope to spend some time with my hosts and talk with them about their thoughts about life and the world, rather than just breeze though.

When I travel, I try to alternate between using hostels, AirBnB, and CS to see different sides of a place. There are some days where I just want to see the sights and meet other travelers, so then I stay at hostels. But if I am feeling more social, Couchsurfing and AirBnB are really wonderful ways to see the non-touristy side of things!

Also so that I don't have to use guidebooks because I believe that the best guides are the residents of live in the towns and cities I visit. Also because I am curious to learn about how other people live and understand the world.

Interests

I enjoy doing anything that teaches me a new skill or takes me to a new place, or creating something I can be proud of, or any activity that gets me outdoors, or anything involving delicious food.

I also like scouring Canadian cities for the best Caesar (not to be confused with Bloody Marys).

• dining
• cooking
• baking
• running
• traveling
• drawing
• outdoor activities
• cycling

Music, Movies, and Books

We can chat about this over a beer!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once hiked and camped in Auyuittuq National Park in Nunavut, Canada with a friend. It was amazing. If you ever get a chance to go -- go! http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nu/auyuittuq/activ/activ1.aspx

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach basic cooking, baking, how to make sushi (it's easier than you think), and drawing. Also happy to teach you some Mandarin if you like :) Happy to share the handful of jokes that I have memorized and miscellaneous travel stories.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always happy to share stories and cook or bake for you. Super proficient at both washing and drying dishes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Peru, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, India

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