Rachel Birns's Photo

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Overview

  • 13 references 7 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning French
  • 47, Female
  • Member since 2008
  • Admin/ Communications
  • Bachelor of Arts, with Political Science and Geography ma...
  • No hometown listed
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

I'm between missions.

ABOUT ME

Beyond basic needs for survival there are generally three elements I need present in my life to be content: dogs, nature and a handful of solid friends and family. Oh, and some wandering. But that goes without saying...isn't that why we're all on this site?

I guess I'd say I'm a decent sort, I like people. I tend not to buy what I do not need or will not use. I value my portability. I'm never, ever bored. My imagination is ridiculous. There is always time to be a bit silly. I'm loyal, reliable, and kind. Nothing inspires me like the great outdoors and the kindness of strangers.

In 2015 I left my office job, flat and life in Toronto for a simpler more relaxing life in rural Saskatchewan where I was born and raised. So far, so good. I have more time to do the stuff I enjoy. I cycle, hike, ski, walk dogs, swim, watch sunsets and occasionally fish- all from my doorstep. I love it.

Somehow I managed to land what may be my dream job out here. It's kind of incredible. I work at a fish hatchery! If you come out here I'll give you a tour. It's a cool place.

I love animals.

I love train trips.

I love Hall & Oates.

I love bonfires with good people.

I love...way too many things to list, actually.

What else.... I've lived other places: Korea, Ireland, Scotland and most recently Toronto. My experiences in all of these places were phenomenal. But the beauty and simplicity of the valley in which I was born and raised drew me back to my roots. For now, anyway.

PHILOSOPHY

Live simply so others may simply live.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been doing this couch-surfing thing on and off now since about 2004-ish? In 2008, I became an official couch-surfer by signing up to this site. So far it's been rewarding. Both my hosts and guests have blown me away with their kindness, warmth, and fascinating stories.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I surfed and hosted my way through Scotland and Ireland. I'm still in touch with many of my hosts & guests. I will finally be in a position to host again as I am moving to a place with a spare room in the near future. Anyone intrepid enough to come to my small town will have a place to stay.

Interests

wandering aimlessly, biking, camping, current events, gathering people around a good bonfire, skiing, the worldwide web, trekking in knee-deep snow, picking enormous bouquets of wildflowers, dancing my shoes to bits, live bands, photography, writing and doodling, going to the improv, dogs, laughing until my lungs collapse, gawking in awe at natural landscapes

  • animals
  • dogs
  • fish
  • writing
  • photography
  • beauty
  • dancing
  • walking
  • eating out
  • survival
  • outdoor activities
  • cycling
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • camping
  • surfing
  • skiing
  • swimming

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Wilderness of Manitoba, Old Man Luedecke, Ohbijou, Sloan, Gonzalez, Hall & Oates, Caribou, Chromeo, Final Fantasy, The Smalls, The Wet Secrets, National Parcs, Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits, Reverend Horton Heat, Corb Lund, Roisin Murphy, Ben Harper, Beatles, Lyrics Born, Beck, Feist, Gomez, Jamie Lidell, Pinback, Ry Cooder, JJ Cale, Mocky, and so on and so on....

Movies: Best in Show, Royal Tannenbaums, Waiting for Guffman, Princess Bride

Authors: Mostly I read journals and newspapers. A lot. Maybe too much.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I lived super close to the DMZ in South Korea. I could see North Korea from my apartment. Also, I swam among crocodiles in the Black River at Jamaica. WHAT!? It's true. The locals told me it was safe so I did. Trust the locals. Unless they're cheeky Irish folks spinning a yarn. ;-)

Last but not least, I asked Lenny Kravitz if he wanted my autograph. "No", he said.

Teach, Learn, Share

See above.

Countries I’ve Visited

Jamaica, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Ireland, South Korea, United Kingdom

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