A New Orleans architect currently traveling long-term. Interests include local food and drink, books, buildings, hiking, and camping. I spend several hours walking around any new city just to feel it. Then I look for a local brewery or craft beer bar.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Looking for a couch, obviously, but also cool people who can point me towards the best places to go. I don't want the highly curated tourist experience anyone can get in exchange for the local currency; I want the real local perspective, the local flavors, the local sights and sounds. Places outside commodified culture are where real and positive cultural exchange takes place.

Interests

I read, especially about current events, a lot. As an architect, I enjoy exploring the built environment and building things. I'm particularly interested in ultra-sustainable architecture and culture. I also enjoy cooking and brewing beer. As much as I love cities, a good hike through the wilderness or a night under the stars is always a welcome getaway.

I also enjoy live music, especially local bands. And I travel with a small guitar. I can play almost anything with chords, and I'm teaching myself more advanced theory and how to read sheet music.

• culture
• architecture
• cooking
• beer

Music, Movies, and Books

I'll read just about anything I can get my hands on. I think I split my reading between nonfiction and fiction pretty evenly. For nonfiction, I like history; for fiction, I like scifi and southern gothic. My two favorite authors are William Faulkner and Iain M Banks.

I have a ridiculously varied musical taste. I think the common thread is roots in the blues, jazz, and/or bluegrass, but my own listening varies from old school blues to punk to jazz to heavy metal to brass bands to ska. My Spotify is currently on a heavy rotation of contemporary punk, viking metal, and instrumental prog rock.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Survived rolling a car in Outback Australia, then hitchhiked 1000kms to the nearest city.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always happy to cook a meal or three. I can make proper Texas barbecue, Cajun jambalaya, Mexican fajitas, quesadillas, and/or tacos, and pretty much any cake or pie. I'd like to think I can make a pretty decent Thai curry (can be a good vegan option!), too. And if, for some reason, you have a hankering for a 200 year old family recipe from the Southern US (it's not *all* deep fried), I can do that.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Laos, Macao, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, New Zealand, United States

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