CURRENT MISSION

See the world before globalization numbs it's differences.

ABOUT ME

I live in Portland Oregon, USA and work for a mid-sized locally based company. I day dream a lot of travel and getting out of town : ) I have a small, but cozy home on the north side of the city that I love. My primary form of transportation around town is my bicycle!

PHILOSOPHY

I try to live my life without regrets. I hate them! So when I'm making a big decision, I always ask myself whether or not the final action will create a regret down the road.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Two words - Cultural Exchange!

There is nothing better than meeting a local when traveling. You get tips on where to go, and what to do. Guide books help, but they can't tell you everything, and many times a local's suggestions are 10x better than anything you'll read. If you're isolated in a hotel room, then you're only getting a very narrow view of the place you're visiting. The experience is in the people!

For me, it's so much fun to get to know how people live all over the world. I love asking about the politics of the country, how they grew up, local traditions, etc. I think hosts/surfers enjoy hearing about my past and where i'm from as well.

Interests

Cycling, hiking, backpacking, the outdoors, travel, exploring, good beer, good food, good friends, etc.

I'm a mechanically minded person, so I really like to work on my bicycles, house, and old Mercedes Benz that gets me out to explore places beyond the reach of my bike.

• dining
• beer
• coffee
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• tour de france
• adventure travel
• budget travel
• travel
• craft beer
• bike
• outdoors
• brewing
• coffee shops
• specialty coffee
• coffee roasting

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Drama, documentaries, and comedies.
Books: Paul Theroux and the like. Historical nonfiction. I'm also known to read Sci-Fi sometimes.
Music: I like a pretty wide variety of music - Classical, Symphonic/Atmospheric Black Metal, Hip Hop, Screamo/Post-Hardcore, Punk & Ska, EDM, Experimental Post-Rock stuff - to name just a few genres.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My first trip outside of the U.S. really had a deep impact on me. I spent three weeks traveling through Vietnam and Laos with two of my best friends. It was an amazing trip that I will never forget, and it changed my view on life, my future, my career goals, and the world in general. God bless travel!

Teach, Learn, Share

"Reading and restlessness - dissatisfaction at home, a sourness at being indoors, and a notion that the real world was elsewhere - made me a traveler."

-Paul Theroux

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories and descriptions of where I'm from (Pacific NW, USA). An open mind, a curious nature. I'm usually ready to try just about anything once. If I have time, I'll show you some of my favorite places around the city. I also have extra bikes that you can borrow.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Netherlands, Senegal, Spain, Tanzania, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guatemala, United States