CURRENT MISSION

I'm heading off to Eastern Europe to explore my roots - I'm Bulgarian - before going to Western Europe to visit friends. I'm taking some time to explore after two years of intense service work in the States.

ABOUT ME

I'm a 24 year old white California boy who just spent the past two years living in New Orleans and Chicago working at nonprofits. I'm trying to get out and explore some more of the world while also recharging. I'm passionate about meeting new people, finding new adventures (especially if it involves exciting cuisine and/or beloved local spots), and experiencing places outside of a tour guide book. I love finding and visiting places that people feel ownership over, whether it's me or someone else, and have a strong connection to because of it. I'm hoping Couch Surfing can link me up with some incredible hosts who want to share the parts of where they live that they love the most.

I love running (and will probably run every morning of my vacation to help learn new cities), playing soccer, seeing/dancing to live music, and engaging in good conversation over good beer.

I grew up loving the beach in San Diego but moved to the Bay Area for school and found that to be my real home. I tend to lean progressive politically (by American standards) and am very proud to be a Berkeley grad dedicated to the ideals of a public education and public service work. I hope to eventually become a public defender representing indigent clients in US criminal courts.

PHILOSOPHY

I grew up in a pretty privileged bubble in a northern San Diego suburb, so I'm trying to expose myself to as many new places, people, and experiences as I can. I believe in being purposeful, interested, and considerate in my life, and I view building relationships across life experience as the way to build up compassion and lead a very full life. I have a passion for advocating for others based on a basic right to human dignity, and I am searching for a career that allows me to live out this passion. I believe in having a balanced life with different things I love (I am learning guitar and trying to become more of a writer).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am hoping travel as a guest for now, and once I settle down within the next few years I am looking forward to being a host as well.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

This is my first Couchsurfing experience, although I have many friends who have served as hosts and as guests and who highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to an experience that lives up to theirs.

Interests

-running
- indie alt/folk music (special affection for Tallest Man on Earth, First Aid Kit, Haim, alt-J, Bon Iver, Deer Tick, and Dawes)
- hiking/outdoor exploration, especially climbing things
- diving into a good book (favorites include Catch-22, anything by Ann Patchett, Cheryl Strayed, or JD Salinger)
- checking out local public art, whether it's a mural, a building, or just some galleries

• arts
• writing
• books
• dancing
• education
• recipes
• beer
• running
• movies
• traveling
• woodworking
• music
• live music
• folk music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• rock climbing
• soccer
• teaching
• tourism
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I already covered music and books, but I love movies and a great television show. In no particular order:

- Game of Thrones
- Stranger than Fiction
- Star Wars (obviously the first three)
- The Royal Tenanbaums
- The Wire
- the Office
- Snatch
- The Invention of Lying
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
- The Princess Bride
- Modern animation films like Up, How to Train Your Dragon, Wall-E

I also have a deep love for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Killers, Vampire Weekend, and the Brian Jacques Redwall book series from when I was a kid.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I worked in New Orleans, my office represented men on death row in Louisiana and Mississippi. I often visited my clients, and I feel like their insights and inspiring optimism in the face of desperate, often hopeless circumstances have helped me put my own struggles in perspective. Those conversations are some of the most educational and powerful experiences of my life. I've had the opportunity to build some beautiful relationships in my work so far, and I'm always proud and happy to share about them.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've had some unique experiences working in rural communities in Louisiana and Mississippi and urban communities in Chicago, Oakland, and Washington, D.C. - I think I can offer a pretty interesting perspective on navigating privilege in the US and seeing the inequalities our society currently produces. At the very least, I have some funny stories, usually involving me being awkward or doing something really stupid. I also know a disturbing amount of information about American movies and American sports.

I'd love to learn some new recipes, the start of a new hobby (especially anything involving music or doing something with your hands - I am really interested in woodworking), and new games. I love playing cards and grew up with a board game family.

Countries I’ve Visited

Tanzania, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States