CURRENT MISSION

Working on redefining my mission. I relocated to Chicago for my wife's job, and ended up with a gig selling air purification systems to dentists. Definitely a bookmark until we figure out what's next.

ABOUT ME

Many friends say that they like to live vicariously through hearing about my off-the-beaten-path lifestyle. They know I am loyal, trustworthy and have an insatiable appetite for seeing the world and meeting all the cool people in it.

PHILOSOPHY

Do good. Make the world a better place. Have fun.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A number of my friends when I lived in Paris were hosts to Couch Surfers. I enjoyed meeting the CSs whom they would often bring to our "running" group, the Hash House Harriers. I always wanted to host people as well but my travel schedule was just too crazy for it to be feasible. I love the spirit of Couch Surfing and look forward to getting started as both a surfer and a host. Looking forward to meeting fellow CouchSurfers!

I have been exchange students for a year to both France and Japan where I lived with local families, so I guess I have that to add to my CS resume. We also hosted an exchange student from Japan in high school who lived with our family for 9 months. I am still friends and in contact with all of them.

UPDATE: It is not 'Why I am on Couchsurfing' but it's worth mentioning that I ended up meeting my girlfriend last year because of a recommendation by my CS host. I am grateful and feel I owe the CS community a lot as a result!

Follow-up UPDATE: now we are married!

Interests

Knowing that we are only on this planet once, I try and make the most of it. I love exploring the world and trying new things. I love the outdoors and spending time in beautiful places.

Previously, I lived in my RV for several years in the US, traveling around North America full time promoting my company's outdoor rotisserie products. Before Vegas, I was in Park City, Utah where I spent winters teaching skiers with disabilities.

Not too long ago I published a book called "Vacation Boy: Does this count as a career?" about my various experiences since college. You can see more about it at www.vacationboystories.com

• books
• cooking
• running
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• kayaking
• surfing
• skiing
• business

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Kayaking in Venice comes to mind. I mailed my inflatable kayak there and got to cruise around in the canals, seeing parts of the city that are only witnessed by locals. Truly an awesome experience.

Biking in China along the border with Laos, I stumbled upon an amazing isolated village where the people lived in a spirit of harmony like I have never seen in other places. Very cool to witness and be welcomed in by them. They said I was the first foreigner to visit there in at least a generation.

Jeez, there are so many cool things to list for this. I will have to come back later.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm happy to cook!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Japan, United States