In 2017, I left my home near Washington DC and moved to Munich to live with my now wife, Anja (who I met through CSing!). After nearly five years in Germany, we decided to take an extended break from the corporate world to pursue our travel dreams. Starting in December 2022, we spent the next 14 months first backpacking in East Africa, India, and Sri Lanka then enjoyed a "short" road trip from Germany to Mongolia and back in our self-renovated Lada Niva 4x4. After returning, we moved to Hamburg. I’ve been an avid Couch-Surfer and Host since 2009, meeting many of the most interesting people I know. This community has opened my heart and mind to new cultures, languages, religions, foods, and experiences that have made me a more trusting and happier person. Anja's profile can be found here: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/anja111 In general, I’ve spent the bulk of my time trying to balance my career with volunteer work, continued education, and international travel. My favorite quotes are: “Variety is the spice of life.” -Unknown and “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelo