***8.20.2017***

Currently back in the US. We can talk about Costa Rica and how we could help each other out down there

CURRENT MISSION - PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTACTING ME.

**6.24.2016**

MY PLACE IS EMBEDDED IN A TROPICAL RAINFOREST IN THE MOUNTAINS OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN - WE HAVE TO DISCUSS THINGS THOROUGHLY BEFORE I CAN GIVE YOU THE NOD ON COMING HERE.

HERE IS A SUMMARY FIRST THEN MORE DESCRIPTIVE DETAILS LATER

GETTING HERE
- YOU CAN TAKE A BUS FROM SAN ISIDRO THEN PAY ONE OF MY LOCAL TICO FRIENDS TO DRIVE YOU FROM THE BUS STOP TO MY HOUSE FOR ABOUT $15-20 USD

-WALK FROM THE BUS STOP WHICH WILL TAKE 2 HOURS DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH LUGGAGE YOU HAVE (STEEP HILLS)

- PAY A CAB (with 4x4) TO TAKE YOU FROM UVITA

- PAY A LOCAL FROM MY COMMUNITY TO COME PICK YOU UP IN EITHER SAN ISIDRO OR UVITA.

LEAVING
- WAKE UP AT 3AM AND WALK 2 HOURS TO THE BUS STOP - "STEEP" DOES NOT DO THE DESCRIPTION JUSTICE

- PAY LOCALS TO DRIVE YOU TO WHERE YOU CATCH THE BUS TO SAN ISIDRO

- WALK 3-4 HOURS DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TO UVITA TO CATCH A BUS

- PAY SOMEONE TO DRIVE YOU TO UVITA

FOOD

DEPENDS ON THE EXTENT OF OUR TRADE, WE CAN WORK THAT OUT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT TO BRING SUPPLIES TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD THUS IT HAS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PART OF THE DEAL.

The Valley Of Morete where I call home is as life altering in its beauty as it is grueling and filled with challenges to overcome. Adventure laden with no end to the rewards one can harvest if you apply significant effort to your experience here.

Essentially I'm looking for people who can help me develop my space, whether inside the house or outside in the yard, sophisticated artisan work or plain old working hard with a shovel, in exchange for a place to stay. I'm about 1500 feet above the Pacific Ocean in a tropical rain forest nestled in a valley alongside a road that runs from the coast in Uvita all the way to San Isidro.

My neighbors include Costa Ricans who grow cattle, coffee and bananas for a living. There are howler monkeys, snakes both poisonious and non lethal, waterfalls, exotic birds, insects that look like a science fiction movie, harvest food right off the land, local animals- horse, goat, cow, dogs - there is plenty of noise in the middle of nowhere.

The road in our part of the neighborhood is NOT paved and if you are on foot and want to walk up to the ridge above the valley, the road to get there could be a mile high or taller. It's a stiff walk, especially if you've got heavy cargo and you're on foot. However it is possible at times to pay Ticos from my area for transportation. The bus stop is 90-120 minute walk from my house depending on your luggage. The bus runs at least 6 days a week in the morning and only costs a couple dollars San Isidro gives you the opportunity to accomplish most things considered "normal" in the West.

YOU CAN GET IN BETTER SHAPE FROM THE EXPERIENCE but please be careful. With the intense heat during dry season (Christmas to end of April) combined with walking up steep inclines it can be stressful if you are not prepared for it. If we deem each other a good match to do this, I can also be your interpreter depending on what you are trying to do with your time in Costa Rica.

To reiterate, I'm offering a BARTER situation. If you have something you can do to benefit my house and farm, I will be glad to go out of my way to accommodate you with my resources. You can use my place as a jump off point for other adventures in Costa Rica or take advantage of what the local neighborhood has to offer.

TO COME GET YOU TO BRING YOU BACK TO MY PLACE IS A SERIOUS INVESTMENT OF TIME AND ENERGY thus I take it quite seriously and ask the same of you. It was an ARDUOUS STRUGGLE to get where I am here. I lived on my farm the first time I came to CR for nineteen months, starting with four posts, a slanted roof and a tent. I expect people to be grateful and respectful for my place and those who come with a positive attitude can be expected to treated with the same grateful and respectful attitude.

The situation is INTENSE. Sometimes it requires a 24-48 hour adjustment period.

ABOUT ME
**6.24.2016**

At 37 I have lived in a wide variety of places and situations that include New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Alabama, California, Spain and Costa Rica. My diverse background helps me to relate to a broad spectrum of people.
I want you to benefit from what I offer and I would like to benefit in return. Lets find whats resonates and is relevant to partake of together! Part of my background growing up was very mainstream and another strand was quiet radical. I tend to synthesize the both.

PHILOSOPHY

Barter Smarter la vida Hoboetry "Happiness Is Only Real When Shared" - Alexander Supertramp aka Christopher McCandless

When you meet an archer....do not show him your poem!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm a bartering enthusiast and although it's not usually asked of people, I would love to skill swap or help out, especially if you're feeding me, and/or sharing your bounty with moi. Some of my experiences as a guest turned into longer scenario stays based on those kind of ethics.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was inducted into Couchsurfing by somewhat life or death circumstance in Barcelona, Spain which was akin to getting your first tattoo. I have surfed in Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, all marvelous experiences and I felt rewarded that I had something to give back via bartering,

Interests

I intend to continue with development of my resources both based within and beyond my community in order to give tours. That will range from a broader focus of "eco tourism" to a more specific class, workshop, seminar based experienced.

BARTERING is what I want to stimulate via Couchsurfing but my situation is also not devoid of commerce and financial profit.

• animals
• dogs
• birds
• insects
• writing
• ethics
• dining
• coffee
• walking
• traveling
• guitar
• hiking
• teaching
• languages
• science
• tourism
• tours
• carpooling
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Whatever suits me for the season, documentaries are great.

Here are links to media related to Costa Rica

2016 snippets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQp5uiI5W0s&feature=youtu.be

Jima & Karl House Ad -My neighbors house/cabin next door to my place. He's my cousin and there is a another owner who is his life long friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEiwc6xSmQw

Costa Trip 2014 - I moved back to the States in late summer of 2012 after living in CR for nineteen grueling months. Since that point I have been able to return twice for a brief time to continue work on my place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne4CE12rw0I

Costa Trip 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA3Fyy5yElE

Finca Fatima - local land reserve with cabins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8OnGDvxSHc

My House Your Vacation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKrUawF0l64

Website Under Construction
http://allyouneedarefingers.wix.com/costahome

Facebook page "Costa Home"
https://www.facebook.com/mark.ingram.718689

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I bought a one way ticket to Barcelona, Spain from NY. I didn't have a job nor could I speak the language in any coherent way upon arrival. I rented a room via Craigslist for the first three weeks and from there I was on my own. Hence the housing crisis introduced me to Couchsurfing which immediately and continually restores my faith in humanity. In my experience, C-Surfers are the most authentic people out there!@ Surfers I met in Spain saved my life and became life long friends. I made it ten months in Barcelona after arriving in September 2006 without any connections or plans.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have worked extensively as a guitar teacher. I can teach you conversational Spanish and have tutored ESL as well. I make high grade colloidal silver and often use that as a bartering asset. I can make your abode extremely efficient and organized and conversely have a great eye for finding value on the 2nd hand store scene. I'm an excellent interior painter and at times have first rate original artwork with me to trade as well. I can also help you with your Craigslist game.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whole lotta love.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Spain, United States