CURRENT MISSION

We are not on a mission at this time.

ABOUT ME

Elise: I love to play. I sing, play guitar, ukulele, and drums. On You Tube you can see me sing a couple of songs using the name Liserhoops. I have been somewhat of a Brazil-ophile the last eleven years. Before that, I sang folk songs, a little rock and some in Spanish. Here's one that I play guitar and sing on from a group I played with a few years back: http://soundcloud.com/elise-tickner/la-llorona-la-partida

John (my husband) loves to be outside, walking our dogs, snowboarding, or inside reading.
My daughter loves theater and singing. She house sits a lot, but technically lives here.

Nine summers ago we traveled to Germany to pick up our daughter who had completed 10 months as an Au Pair in Geissen. We couch surfed through France and Spain. Part of the time it was all four of us. Later in the trip it was just my son and me.

Couch surfing seems like such a great way to get closer to a country than staying at campgrounds with a bunch of other travelers. Don't get me wrong, though, we enjoy camping. We love to gaze at the stars from our sleeping bags.

For our European trip we stayed with families and other hosts from Paris to Toulouse and then Catalonia and the Mediterranean. We were the whitest people on the beach.

PHILOSOPHY

When my daughter was eight or nine she said, and I like to carry it as my philosophy, "All days are the best, but this day is the most best because we are closest to it."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Locally, we we will offer travelers a place to stay in the Northwest of the USA.

We are in a rural area, have dogs and a cat. Not dust-free.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Amazing hosts in July of 2011 from Paris, Vierzon, Venerque, Fontsgrives, L'Ameltlla del Mar, Sant Cebriat, Banyuls Sur Mer, and finally, Cadaquéz. I found the draw back of Couch Surfing was having to say goodbye to newly made friends.

Interests

We all like live music.

We all like to dance.

We all like to camp.

It's hard to answer this question since I am posting for a group. Ask us when we meet.

• cats
• dogs
• singing
• theater
• dancing
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• live music
• guitar
• drums
• camping
• surfing
• snowboarding
• basketball
• lacrosse
• au-pair
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Elise: movies: all kinds; I like movies that make me think, but also movies that are funny. Music: pretty much anything with a beat or a good melody. Most recently immersed in Brazilian, and learning to play and teach the ukulele.
John: music: jam bands, rock and roll, bluegrass, books: suspense & horror, Stephen King

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one amazing thing?? Elise: I have seen the total lunar eclipse from the side of Haleakala volcano and a moon-bow. I have seen two fireballs, one during the day, and one at night. I also hugged Desmond Tutu after a group of us played drums before his sermon at a church 45 minutes from where I live. John: Motorcycled under a full moon lunar eclipse.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love to play music.

Depending on timing, a person might be left to relax on their own or be able to join us in music or other activities we might be doing.

I can share some rhythms or songs and have extra instruments to jam.

If you stay at our house you need to be well informed that we live in our house more than clean it. If you are someone that can't stand the sight of dust, you should not request to stay here.
We also know the secret to good hugs.

What I Can Share with Hosts

When I or we decide to travel again, we'll see where we are in what we share with Hosts.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Germany, Guatemala, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico

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