CURRENT MISSION

To experience the world, and tell about it one story at a time.

ABOUT ME

Hello. I am an easy-going, odd-ball. An instigator and a motivator. Sometimes outrageous, but still incredibly well-mannered and always courteous to others.

Things I love: running in the dark, scratchy hotel towels, fitness, piercings and tattoos, dark beer and bourbon, non-fiction books, awkward situations, beautiful intelligent women, strong polite men, the weird guy and the under-dog, country music, marshmallows and whipped cream, philosophy, laughing at an almost inappropriate volume, talking about stereotypes and generalizations, being tickled.

Things I hate: superficialities, running out of toilet paper, mosquitoes, defeatists and victims, weight loss pills, wet hair on cold days, being tickled.

OK BUT SERIOUSLY...!

I hit the road when I was 23 years old. For seven years, I hitch hiked 30,000 km and visited 37 countries. I've used CouchSurfing, Woofing, and Workaway for the most part--or I used none of these sites, and traveled with my tent. I just lived and floated, and learned from the world. When I turned 30, I decided to hang up my travel hat and apply to medical school. It took me seven years, but I got accepted! Medicine has consumed me. It is a rigorous journey of its own, and what I exchanged to get there was my traveler identity.

What I value most? DEEP CONVERSATION. I want to know people and their depth: their joys, triumphs, and sorrows. I am a curious person, always interested to hear what people can authentically share. If you're nervous about that, no worries. Please educate me about your local community: the politics, the history, the economy, resources, movements.

Please read my reviews, and you will see what I mean.

PHILOSOPHY

Metaphysical: some kind of mix of Existentialism, the principles of Macrobiotics, and Neitzsche's Theory of Eternal Return.

Practical: Diet, Exercise, and Sunshine... and TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

The amount of generosity and kindness I have encountered during my travels will make me more than willing to Pay It Forward for the rest of my life. I am neither in a position to travel nor host right now, but it’s it my hope that will change soon.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

This site is brilliant.

Interests

Fitness, the outdoors, hiking, camping, thumbing, simple living, whole foods, politics, philosophy, literature, lifestyle changes, always being truthful, lessons in patience, pre-mature wisdom, smiling at strangers, Starbucks coffee, mind-altering experiences, joy and sorrow.

I'm a talker. I ask a lot of questions--some of them hard. This is what I do. I love to get everyone's opinion on little things and big things. I am also a writer. I have a travel blog; it's how I express myself.

• dogs
• writing
• books
• literature
• tattoos
• piercings
• chocolate
• beer
• coffee
• fitness
• exercise
• dieting
• running
• partying
• drinking
• politics
• traveling
• blogging
• music
• country music
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• buddhist
• wrestling
• rowing

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Contact, Braveheart, Leaving Las Vegas, 300, Monster, Dumb and Dumber, The Big Lebowski, Wayne's World, South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut, Solaris, Gladiator, Spanglish, American Beauty, any kind of situation involving prison, or being trapped on an island. Music: country, techno, metal, rock, pop Books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Atlas Shrugged, Robinson Crusoe, anything about food politics, works on philosophy

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Oh wow. Some crazy parties, near-death experiences, prestigious rowing races, wrestling in vanilla pudding, whipped cream, chocolate sauce. Changing people's lives one drop of sweat at a time.

Teach, Learn, Share

Fitness and nutrition. I am an information powerhouse.
How to travel all around India and Europe on less than 10 dollars per day. Well, with inflation being what it is, let's say $15 now.

Travel blog with weird stories: www.demogirl06.wordpress.com
LinkedIn (I'm a very real and responsible person): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-stevens-69639240/

What I Can Share with Hosts

Time and energy. Conversation that will take you places. And unlimited guidance in all things related to health, fitness, and now some medicine. I am an extremely honest person, and a curious person. If you are a philosopher at heart, we will get along well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ireland, United States

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