CURRENT MISSION

"Wherever you go, There you are," Buckaroo Bonzai

MY FIRST COUCHSURFING REFERENCE
"Hello! My name is Sadie (the dog on Joe's Profile page). Joe couchsurfed at my house in Arizona. He is nice and gave me his food which he conveniently left for me on his plate when he was not looking. He will give good ear rubs."

ABOUT ME

I am a Pediatrician who was introduced to the couchsurfing experience while completing a 4000 mile transcontinental bicycle tour in 2013 (San Diego, CA to Charleston, SC) raising money through charitable donations for the Children's Hospital where I work. That tour, as well as my more recent tours, are documented on Facebook: www.facebook.com/joe.dobson.104

My wife, Ruth, and I would like to return some of the many kindnesses shown to me by hosts across the United States by opening my home in Columbus for travelers venturing through our beautiful town. We live in downtown Columbus within walking distance of wonderful restaurants, tourist attractions, theater, music, and biking trails. Drop us a line if you are in the area.

PHILOSOPHY

Buddhist. I may be the only physician who thinks Obamacare does not go far enough ;)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We are interested in hosting people of any age who need short-term accommodation in Columbus. Not a party house, but we do enjoy good music and conversation.

We can accommodate up to 4 people if they are willing to share bedrooms.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I stayed in many wonderful homes this summer and fall during my bicycle tours across the US. Many exceptional and generous hosts convinced me that I should return the favor when I was back at home.

Interests

Bicycling, Gardening, Jazz, Buddhism

• dogs
• theater
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• walking
• gardening
• cars
• music
• jazz
• buddhist
• rock climbing
• medicine
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Comic Books (my guilty pleasure)

The Omnivores Dilemma, The God Delusion, What the Buddha Taught

Jazz, Pink Floyd, David Bowie to name a few.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As I was bicycling across West Texas I had to (briefly) act the ER physician again. As I was leaving my motel room to walk to dinner, I heard and saw I high speed motor vehicle crash on I-10 about 100 yards away. I scrambled up the cactus strewn embankment to find a stunned elderly couple in their totaled car in the middle of the freeway. I was the 1st responder and the setting seemed dangerous because the accident occurred just over a blind rise where the speed limit was 80 miles per hour, so oncoming cars and trucks were swerving past the wreck at a rather high rate of speed. So, after quickly asking about head, neck, chest, and abdominal symptoms, I helped get them out of the car and tried to get them away from the traffic. As I was doing this, an 18 wheeler swerved onto the shoulder to miss the wreck as we were climbing over the guard rail, bearing missing us and hitting the car they had just vacated. Thankfully, no one seemed to sustain any major injuries. I stayed with them until the ambulance arrived. I then proceeded to go have an excellent Mexican meal — at Americana Inn Sierra Blanca Tx.

(See photo in Profile of wrecked car)

Teach, Learn, Share

Buddhist Philosophy, Medicine, Dog Training, Expedition Bicycle Touring are a few things I know a little about. I love to learn about other cultures, taste someone else's cooking, or experience your talent (song, music, dance, bad jokes, story telling, etc)

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, England, France, Mexico, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Turkey