After traveling to 13 countries and +100 cities around the world in 2017 with various companions, I came to a complete stop in Red Deer/Alberta, where I found a high-paced, incredibly fun and meaningful job - developing collaborative projects for the economic, social, cultural, and political inclusion of newcomers into Canada.

I studied English Literature, as well as Social Justice and Equity, and I'm still very much interested in both. Currently, I am in the midst of settling down into stability, and trying to find a balance between work and my inner self.

My life is a lot of work right now, so the amount of time I can spend with you will most likely be limited. I am also quite new in the city and in the province, so have very limited knowledge about the area that I can share with you. Despite these challenges, I will do my best to be a good host to you fellow couchsurfers in Central Alberta :)

I am vegan and like to experiment with cooking, often successfully inventing new recipes. I kindly ask that you challenge yourself to be meat and dairy free while you stay with me. Feel free to challenge me to try something new with you in return. If you're already vegan, I'll find a different challenge for you (yes, I like games). :)

I live with my kitty sons Blake and Merlin. They're both sweet, social, playful orange tabbies who like eating, going out, playing, and purring, they both have their own unique quirks. Blake will be shy at first, but it doesn't take him long to get friends with strangers. Merlin on the other hand, was born to be friends with all living creatures, so will need no moment to be all over you.

My home is hate-free and open to all who are kind and respectful, regardless of species, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, political view, whatever else you can think of. I like to think I'm good at disagreeing without judgement.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet interesting people who have stories to tell. To get to know new cultures and experiences. To share meaningful memories with strangers. To trust a stranger enough to offer/accept shared space without expecting anything in return.

Because, "whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."
(Tennessee Williams)

Interests

Travelling and spending time in nature are two of my greatest passions. I like reading sci-fi; fantasy (fiction in general), watching TV series or a good movie with the company of a hot drink, and snacks. I love rock climbing, and should do it more often.

I'm pretty adventurous, and I believe in giving a chance to new experiences.

• books
• cooking
• recipes
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• mountaineering
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
Alanis Morissette, Alice in Videoland, Audioslave, Bang Gang, Bikini Kill, Bjork, Blonde Redhead, The Dresden Dolls, Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, Dido, Elephant Parade, IAMX, Le Tigre, Melissa Auf der Maur, Metric, Muse, Nirvana, Oasis, The Organ, Peaches, Placebo, Portishead, Purity Ring, Radiohead, Tegan and Sara, The Presets, Tiger Lou, Tori Amos.

Movies:
Everything from John Waters, Thelma & Louise, Hedwig & The Angry Inch, Dancer in the Dark, Pan's Labyrinth, V For Vendetta, The Shawshank Redemption, Café de Flore, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Closer, Back to the Future, Amélie, Garden State, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Requiem for a Dream, Fight Club, Hard Candy, Beetlejuice, The Lord of the Rings, Sweeney Todd, Across the Universe.

Writers:
Jeanette Winterson is my goddess so her name comes before all.
And then comes Chuck Palahniuk. I wanna absorb anything and everything written by these two.
Continuing with: Albert Camus, Ursula LeGuin, Neil Gaiman, Jack London, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dostoyevski, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, Jonathan Swift, George Orwell, Sarah Waters

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Two things:

Lived with the native tribes in the Amazonian jungle. Nowhere else on earth has ever felt more home.

Hiked in the jungle at dawn amongst the ruins of Tikal, and witnessed the slow awakening of nature, my ears amazed with the sounds of screaming monkeys.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love teaching and learning new languages. And cooking.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm here to share the beauty of life with fellow travelers.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Czech Republic, Turkey, United States