CURRENT MISSION

ALL YEAR — I am renovating my new {{old}} house in DENVER. The house is totally under renovation!!.

If you ask to couchsurf with me, the condition will be sleeping in a tent in the yard (your own tent), or sleeping on a camping mat on the floor or on a couch somewhere... possibly in the garage. The house is a CONSTRUCTION SITE!

I live in the city.... on public transit lines, near markets, restaurants, parks, etc.....so all those are great + lovely

I have two chickens who free range around in the backyard :)

ABOUT ME

I appreciate the small, simple moments in life

Through traveling + my upbringing, I have a great deal of trust in strangers and a happy outlook.

In 2009, I took off to spend nearly two years + traveling around the world. It was a very good decision and changed my perspectives about how to live (....need some reminders at times)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING // COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE:

I surf and host -- more hosting lately -- with both Couchsurfing and Warm Showers.org (for long distance traveling cyclists). I'm very happy to share what I have with others as I can.

The people I've met through CS have been some of the best parts of my life. A couple of the people I've met through CS have gone on to become dear friends

IMPORTANT: In the past year since CS has become more prominent, I have received a number of rather impersonal requests from folks seeking a 'free hotel' -- Please consider: I faithfully believe in the original, old CS mission and philosophy that it's for cultural, educational and personal exchange between people from all over the world, not simply free accommodation. Thanks much!

Interests

Old souls, anything outdoors, running, downhill skiing, autumn air, cheese, sleeping next to the fire, laughter, black cherry soda, learning from those older and wiser than I, skating outside, cycling, resilience...human or nature, making new friends but keeping the old, antique shops, thoughtful conversation, hot steamy showers on cold snowy days, cooking, making friends with strangers, walkable villages, smiles, backpacking far away from civilization, dill pickles, reincarnating roadside junk, exploring new places on foot, children's laughter, old farmhouses, learning people's life stories, seeing old folks dance, swimming in the Great Lakes, photography, old dark dusty dog eared bookstores, spending time with loved ones, continually trying to learn to sail, historic architecture, keeping up with current affairs, jumping off stuff (generally into water), growing veggies, tuk tuks, I brake for goats, pubic radio, painting, independence, seeing people smile ... I do not like math.

• architecture
• photography
• dancing
• cooking
• cheese
• yoga
• running
• thrifting
• traveling
• knitting
• painting
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• backpacking
• canoeing
• kayaking
• sailing
• skiing
• swimming
• engineering
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

...usually whatever I'm reading/listening to/watching at that moment.

I primarily read non-fiction ( oh, never-ending-graduate school) although some of my favorite fiction authors include Plath, Rushdie, Paz, Atwood....

Films... have enjoyed Adaptation, The English Patient, Once, Elegy, EARTH, Waking Ed Devine, Little Miss Sunshine, Love Actually, Bourne films, Frida, The King's Speech, The Music Room, The Gods Must Be Crazy, Thomas Crowne Affair, The Long Road Round, The Power of One...

Never had a TV so can't really comment there...

Music... love jazz late at night, folk, classic rock, African choral music, acoustic guitar, most classical, bluegrass (in all shapes and sizes) some indie music... but really enjoy hearing live music anywhere ...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The Great Lakes hold a special power over me - I feel at peace on the shores of Lake Michigan

I have had the tremendous opportunity to love another human deeply and joyously... and be loved in return

I worked and learned from two people I deeply respected ... they taught me about ethics, hard work, patriotism, respecting the "little" guys in the world even when we're "America", working through the night for days on end and always, always, always doing your homework and being prepared.

ops... that's 3

Teach, Learn, Share

SEEKING TO LEARN:
-how to repair/build bicycles
-to speak Hindi better & learn Spanish (French will forever be my nemesis but would love to learn)
-how to knit
-about long term bicycle traveling
-how to be softer, sweeter, more compassionate & more patient
-how to whitewater kayak
-about Marco Polo's journeys & the ancient silk route
-Middle eastern & north African // berber cooking in a tagine

CAN TEACH:
-how to ice skate
-build a table
-toss a frisbee
-simple yoga
-how to swim
-how to drive manual vehicle or motorcycle
-how to canoe
-about adventure racing
-how to downhill ski
-how to be exceptionally thrifty ;-)
-how to refinish old furniture

What I Can Share with Hosts

CAN SHARE:
-Hearty, genuine smiles :)
-cooking
-travel tales
-games
-a listening & loving ear
-laughter
-I can re-sew buttons or holes & always (usually??!) carry needle & thread :) !
-walks
-some simple Asian or European culinary dishes (pls have low expectations ;)

***Tell me you've read my profile by stating: "I Love Paris" in your message to me. If not stated, I’m afraid I will not reply — just too many requests.

Being Colorado ... a very popular place for traveling this is a way to separate the “serious” Couchsurfers” from those who are not taking as much consideration. Thanks for understanding!

:) Caroline

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, India, New Zealand, Switzerland, United States

• 

•