My name is leif. I'm 32-year-old from Chicago/Minnesota/Florida. I’m heading out on a month-long Route 66, Arizona, and Vegas roadtrip with my kiddo, who will sometimes be with me and sometimes with her dad. I’m an experienced traveler and I come with the offer of taking portraits of you and your family. You might even show up in my poetry :)

I'm a musician, a nonfiction writer, and a former journalist. I was a professional photographer for a few years but I realized art, for me, is much more about sharing freely rather than for profit.

I was raised in the Chicago anarcho-punk/queer scene and it stuck to my bones. Still, I'm open minded and accepting of (most...) belief systems. Just please don't be a fascist/racist/homophobe.

I'm a transient by nature. I've lived in Oregon, Massachusetts, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Florida and have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. I’ve lived in 24 cities total and have been in Indianapolis for about three years. I have a two bedroom home with a comfortable leather couch and can possibly offer my kid’s bedroom if she stays in my room during your visit.

I do have a proof photo in my gallery and can provide more evidence of my humanness if necessary. I don’t have a social media presence but I’m happy to share my art with you and chat over the phone. The internet isn't a very convincing place, but I swear I'm a pretty decent person :)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To avoid the party environment of hostels and to focus on meeting locals.

Interests

Writing, 90s music, photography, road trips, abandoned buildings, exploring, history, poetry, the beauty in the cracks of humanity.

• cats
• arts
• culture
• writing
• tattoos
• environment
• dining
• running
• partying
• politics
• traveling
• origami
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• hiking
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Shitty 90s music, hip hop, punk, pop punk, post-punk, old school blues, folk, electronic, country, singer-songwriter, and most other styles. I tattooed "Blink 182" on my ankle at the age of 19 because I am forever a child.

Movies: Good Burger.

Books: Faulkner and Dostoyevsky.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed a mountain in Tanzania with a group of five-year-old girls in our bare feet and broke seven years of veganism when one of their mothers invited me to lunch.

I think surviving this crazy world in general is pretty badass. Good job, everyone.

Teach, Learn, Share

Photography! The art of noticing and using light to amplify your photos. Composition. Color. I can also take photos of you in exchange for having a place to stay!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Laughs, wicked cleaning skills, photography, poetry, kindness, warmth, and shared understanding - maybe even some healing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Mexico, Portugal, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Tanzania, Uganda

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States