Not Verified
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
@ASCHWENDER
Member since 2007
CURRENT MISSION To manifest freedom ABOUT ME I've been teaching English in various countries for the last 10 years - Morocco, Vietnam, Croatia, and Italy - and between those gigs I was in Los Angeles. I moved to D.C. a year ago and am currently selling language services, organizing events, and still teaching a bit. If you're interested in teaching English abroad, I can recommend a great teacher training program in Prague - write to me if you want details. PHILOSOPHY I share the philosophy of Ho Chi Minh: "Nothing is more precious than freedom." Unlike Ho Chi Minh, however, I don't believe suffering builds character. I believe it makes you miserable. I avoid suffering, obligations, working too much, and traditional burdens like home ownership, marriage, and children. For that reason, I feel a bit alienated from the human race, but it's worth it because I am FREE.
Interested in Dancing
Fluent in English
Learning Arabic (Morocco)
Pioneer Badge
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE I've hosted and stayed with many awesome people on CS. A special shout-out goes to Sole in Madrid, my very first CS host, to Steffen from Germany, my very first CS guest, and to Michael Dorsher, the only couchsurfer who stayed with us even though he had already paid for a hotel. I will admit that in recent years, I've been less impressed with Couchsurfing, as it seems to attract a lot of people who just want to get something for nothing. I usually do Airbnb now, but occasionally the odd couch still calls to me...
Music, Movies, and Books
Movies: The Big Lebowski, Office Space, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Rushmore, Star Wars (Episodes 4-7). T.V.: The Office (British version), Peep Show, South Park. Authors: Jonathan Franzen, A.S. Byatt, Stieg Larsson, Gillian Flynn, Milan Kundera, Michael Ondaatje Music: Flight of the Conchords, Weird Al, Richard Cheese (those are all comedians), bluegrass, New Orleans jazz, Alice in Chains (with Layne Staley, not the new guy).
One Amazing Thing I've Done
The Inca Trail in Peru. The stars in the Sahara Desert. The CVS pharmacy in Hollywood.
Teach, Learn, Share
According to my friend Greg, a colossal squid can eat a sperm whale, though I'm still waiting for definitive proof.
What I Can Share With Hosts
I have been known to show my hosts something new about their own city!
My Interests
Languages, linguistics, grammar, dogs, volleyball, salsa dancing, ballet, movies, improv comedy, Grand Theft Auto (the game, not the crime), fractals, German sausage, and rye whiskey. Lately I've taken a much bigger interest in politics and political philosophies. I am generally a big fan of critical thinking.
