A gypsy at heart, I make my homebase in Oakland California. I bike touring as much as possible.
I spent about half of my childhood on a farm and the other half in the city. I was a sculptor for many years, worked in fine dining for about seven after a culinary apprenticeship at The Greenbrier in WV, massage therapy for about twelve years, then opened a circus inspired gym/community center in Emeryville, CA (did that for six years and sold it), and I've worked in the home remodeling industry on and off for several years.
I enjoy cooking and having intimate gatherings with friends, gardening, making / fixing things, bike touring, hiking, camping (from short trips to extended mountaineering expeditions, bushcraft, fishing, etc...)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new people I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet otherwise and experience as much of the world as possible before I move on to whatever comes after this!

Interests

Travel (of course), beautiful places, high places, low places, peaceful places, perhaps "other" places...
Music, movies, laughing till my cheeks cramp and I can't un-smile, food/cooking, crafting projects, hiking, urban farming, cycling (of course) great conversations with unconventional, inspiring, and genuine people...

• dining
• cooking
• fine dining
• massage therapy
• walking
• gardening
• movies
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• fishing
• hiking
• camping
• mountaineering
• business

Music, Movies, and Books

Music- Classical, R&B, Blues, Jaz, Funk, Cultural and Folk-- The California Honeydrops, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Muddy Waters, and tons more!
Movies-- The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, Labyrinth, Never Ending Story, Delicatessen, Howell's Moving Castle, sooooo many, I love movies!
Books / Authors-- Salman Rushdie, Vladimir Nabokov, Koffka, The Alchemist, Shantaram, The Kite Runner, the list is never ending!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one?! But, but... okay...
I walked from Barcelona with the coast to my right until I was heading south, then I went east until I reached Florence. All with no money. It took three weeks. I love walking!

Teach, Learn, Share

The silver-linings make everything worthwhile!
"This too shall pass."
I choose possibility...

What I Can Share with Hosts

A 'childlike' passion for life, great conversation, a love of food and cooking skills, handyman skills, gardening / farmhand, most anything one can think of, as long as it's safe, sane, and consensual!
I'm creative and a hard worker with a sound work ethic and willing to help out with just about anything!
Or just 'being' is delightful too :-)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Canada, India, Italy