CURRENT MISSION

Prioritize the important things in life: family, friends, being outside.

ABOUT ME

I studied cultural anthropology at Columbia University in New York. After graduating, I worked as a classroom teacher briefly, and now I lead educational travel programs for high school and college students in China and South America, as well as teach rock climbing and other outdoor activities. When not working, I like to climb, ski, play guitar, cook, read, grow food, build things, and explore!

PHILOSOPHY

Treat yourself and others with love and sincerity.
Strive to connect with your physical being, the present moment, and the natural world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

By making an effort to really connect with and learn from every host and surfer I'm lucky enough to meet. By being open to personalities very different from my own. I still haven't had a place of my own where I can host, but I look forward to doing that some day!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I surfed in China during the summer of 2009 and again in 2011, and in Italy in 2012. I love how it allows me to get to know a place and local people in a much deeper way than simply staying at hostels.

Interests

I love reading any good book, taking beautiful photographs, making and listening to music, fixing and riding bicycles, and playing outside, especially in mountains. I play guitar and harmonica. I love to sing and learn new songs. I listen to all genres of music, as long as it's good music, and especially if it's live and good for dancing. Languages and etymology always interest me. Camping, doing handstands. Things that are beautiful to look at. Cooking, baking. Meditation and yoga. Other cultures.

• books
• singing
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• baking
• yoga
• meditation
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• camping
• skiing
• rock climbing
• anthropology
• teaching
• etymology
• languages
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Miles Davis "Kind of Blue," Igor Stravinsky "The Rite of Spring," Deer Tick, Neil Young, Trampled by Turtles, Joanna Newsom, Gillian Welch, Toots and the Maytals. Tropic of Cancer, Tao Teh Ching, The Histories, Cosmicomics, Kafka on the Shore, Einstein's Dreams. Waking Life, What Time is it There? Mystery Train, Sin City, The Artist, Planet Earth.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Ask me when we meet!

Teach, Learn, Share

I teach people to rock climb for work, but also for fun. I love sharing the joys of climbing! Recipes are also one of my favorite things to share because food is so basically important. Baking is my specialty: bread, cakes, cookies, baklava. I've been perfecting my handstands and am always willing to give tips on that. I can fix or build a bicycle, if I've got the right tools. And I've got a few songs to share, too.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Any way that I can help around the house/farm. Some good stories. A bottle of wine, a home cooked meal. Songs.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Scotland, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bolivia, China, England, United States, Wales

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