About me? Forr starters I'm from a shore town in central New Jersey (U.S.A). I've had opportunity to live and study in London and work in Spain. I was able to forge a wide variety of friendships during my travels which I still keep up to this day.

I've been on Couchsurfing on and off for the past 10 years or so. I was inactive for several years and only recently gotten back into using the app in 2022. Prior to this I got lucky to meet Couchsurfing hosts naturally during my travels.

I'm just here to meet people, share some trips, and maybe make a few more friends. I'm always happy to talk to people and help them if they need it. My mood can vary from fairly quiet and observant to wanting to go out and do things all day non-stop. Above all else I like meaningful experiences.

Personality wise- I'm not shy, I'd rather immerse myself in the culture I'm in than just say I went to a place. I believe there's a difference between traveling to a place as a tourist and visiting to immersive in where you are.

I am currently in Valencia, Spain as of September 28th 2024.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Figured it'd be a good way to meet a variety of people, to find easier access to the local culture. My main belief is you have to get yourself dirty if you are to do anything memorable, that requires pushing your own boundaries and comforts.

Interests

Surfing: I'm from a shore town & own a surfboard which I periodically use. The water is best around mid August to September.

Gastronomy: I had the very unique opportunity of teaching English to student chefs in Galicia. Having worked under a former professional chef it really changed my interest in learning about cooking. I don't have as much patience when I cook as a chef, but when I go to a restaurant I really tried to get the spirit of it. It's really something I've started to share with other people as well.

Fashion: Ever since I was in university I thrifted my own clothes and I believe in sustainability practices. I also have a side business where I sell mainly boots. I've realized that part of cultural interaction is also taking note about how people dress.

Videogames: Ever since I started seriously traveling this is kind of taking a back burner but I have a lot of fun memories from when I used to play so I'm always happy to talk about it I'm really into single player games and RPGs

Writing: I write short stories and poetry during my free time. My one regret is that I should've kept a journal when I traveled Europe. I now use Instagram and right small snippets about photographs I've taken to help get me back into my writing

• writing
• poetry
• jazz
• surfing
• videogames
• gastronomy

Music, Movies, and Books

Paging through pocket editions of Hemingway, Ginsberg, and compendiums of music lyrics when I'm killing time.

Music (♫ ♪ ♫ My Favourite Albums ♪ ♫ ♪)
http://i.imgur.com/Kgy8MzE.jpg

My music interests are varied and diverse but I've always held the oldies, jazz & blues, ska, classic rock, and indie rock in high regard. When I was in London and New Orleans I'd often frequent Jazz bars and shows. I've seen the arctic monkeys live and Paul McCartney with a jacket signed by Franz Ferdinand

I'm a sucker for westerns, sci-fi-fantasy, dramas, historical films (Esp. revolving around the early 20th century), and noir. Cheesy films also make me laugh. A musical here and there also helps.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I got to speak to people who spoke a tongue foreign to me, their culture and history indefinite, the great unknown to someone from a country divided by two oceans. I was touched most by this. I could climb a mountain, go to space, but such things always exist. The moment in which I share with someone else is finite and will eventually be erased by history.

Teach, Learn, Share

This is what happens when you don't use Couchsurfer often and you need to renovate your profile from 2015!

What I Can Share with Hosts

- I feel it customary to bring something to offer as a gift (I.e - bottle of wine, something from my home, etc etc) if I am offered a place to stay.
- I'll bring someone who takes an interest in your every day life & perceptions on society. I share my thoughts in return.
- I'll bring someone you can go out with. I like to share my good times & interests.
- The most important thing I bring is a considerate guest, a shared mutual understanding.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Spain, United States