CURRENT MISSION

Write a kick-ass guide book about Japan!

ABOUT ME

I'm a Canadian writer on the hunt for great people and fascinating stories. I like learning, meeting new people, doing things that scare me, dancing and trying new food.

I'm currently writing the 4th edition of National Geographic Traveler: Japan so I'm spending quite a lot of time traveling and researching recently.

PHILOSOPHY

"Why do I live my life?" That's a sort of funny question. Biological instinct of self preservation? Not much choice in the matter?

As for a goal or ethos or principle to live by, I want to live fully and not die feeling as though I blew it or wasted my time. I'm trying to find something to devote myself to, a cause I can help, but finding one is difficult.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I met a few people when I lived in Kyoto and then spent a year traveling, during which I met a few CSers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've had one guest so far, met a couple people for meals, and I've stayed with two hosts. I hope to meet lots more people from now on!

Interests

These days I am trying to spend a lot of time writing and traveling, even if just around Kyoto. I like hiking and history, so the mountain trails covered in buddhist relics are pretty neat. I try to read as much as possible and although I love watching anime, I am trying to cut back. I really like dancing too, and at Ko Phangan's full moon party I either received laughter or high-fives for my crazy dancing: opinion is divided, so you'll have to see it for yourself.

• writing
• books
• literature
• photography
• full moon party
• dancing
• dining
• partying
• flying
• anime
• traveling
• hiking
• buddhist
• history
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Jeez, that list should be Books first, then music, last movies.

BOOKS
--Zorba the Greek - Kazantzakis. Favorite book. I read it in university and nearly wanted to quit school. Zorba's character is well done and inspiring.

MUSIC
--The Tragically Hip - Woooo best Canadian band ever!

MOVIES
--Monty Python and the Holy Grail - I really like this breed of humor.

Will add more later.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I'm a bit of a late bloomer in the adventure department, but I spend a lot of my time traveling in Japan solo. Most of the foreigners I see here are in big clusters or in pairs, so I guess going off on my own counts for something.

I hiked the length of the Daisetsuzan range in Hokkaido last summer about 100km in 5 days. That was pretty cool.

Oh ya, one of the last times I went out for dinner I ate some ridiculous stuff. Cow larynx, 2nd stomach, lung, artery --- who put this stuff on the menu?

I traveled for an entire year recently, visiting 10 countries and only flying twice.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a fair amount about Japanese buddhism. I'm well read in world literature. I can teach basic photography with digital SLR equipment (I'm still learning myself). I like Mac computers and am fairly proficient, though I still get stumped with some thorny problems. I defy you to out-dance me.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Japan

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