Thanks to a fancy residency permit, I can stay in Europe for two full years. So I'm choosing to be in Vienna until New Year's, while working on a new book and podcast about radical individuals who have found that elusive balance of time, money, and purpose, without giving up on their wildest dreams. More here: https://dirtbagrich.com

Raised in California, I discovered myself in the mountains, lakes, deserts, and highways of the American West. I studied astrophysics and education theory, served at summer camps, wrote four books about alternative education, spoke for parents, and took teenagers on their first big international trips. All the while, I continued my own travels and adventures, never craving a normal job, house, or life. More here: https://blakeboles.com

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

"Couchsurfing is a worthwhile gamble in assuming the best in others."
(I stole this from someone else's profile)

Also: CS is a really good filter for finding open-minded, optimistic, multicultural people. That's why I often use CS just to meet people in the cities where I'm traveling/living, rather than just hosting/surfing.

Interests

I'm deeply enamored with "fusion dance", a kind of lead/follow partner dance that emphasizes playfulness, creativity, consent, and role-switching. I regularly attend fusion dance weekends in Europe, and I've recently started DJing. Here are some playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/blakebo

Backpacking and trail running are long-time loves. I started cycle touring in 2020 with a cross-country bike trip that was foiled by the pandemic. Since then I've ridden my bike across big chunks of Europe, North America, and Patagonia.

• writing
• trail running
• settlers of catan
• frisbee
• acroyoga
• bike touring
• slacklining
• argentine tango
• fusion dancing

Music, Movies, and Books

So many. Too many

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

So many. Too many.

Teach, Learn, Share

The true risks of travel are disappointment and transformation: the fear you'll be the same person when you go home, and the fear you won't.

—Kate Harris

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"Do what you love!" cry the motivational speakers. But I think anybody who tells people to do what they love no matter what should also have to teach a money management course.
"Do what you love" + low overhead = a good life.
"Do what you love" + "I deserve nice things" = a time bomb.

—Austin Kleon

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I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

—Jack London

What I Can Share with Hosts

■ Things I like to do for hosts: buy dinner, cook dinner, clean the kitchen.
■ Things I like to do on my own: read, write, run, explore coffeeshops and bookstores.
■ Things I don't expect from hosts: constant entertainment, tour guide service, food.

I’ve hosted and stayed with men, women, couples, and non-binary/non-conforming couchsurfers. Everyone is welcome, and everyone should feel safe.

CS ≠ Tinder. Couchsurfing brings together friendly, like-minded people, so I’m not surprised when I sometimes meet couples who first connected here. But to be clear, it is not a dating app.

If you're using other hospitality networks, watch out for the Couchsurfing censors... https://www.reddit.com/r/couchsurfing/comments/14nunh2/longtime_couchsurfing_user_suspended_for/

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, United States

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