大家好！

It's your old pal Kyle back on the road after a long break.

I'm an easygoing dude who loves to sit in peace as much as I love swimming, camping, and running up and down mountains.

This trip takes me back to Taiwan, one of my favorite places in the world!

Last time I was here, I tried hammock camping for the first time, hitch-hiked around Taroko Gorge, and tried desperately not to get a bad sun burn.

This time in Taiwan I'd like to:
-practice speaking Chinese
-camp in the mountains
-meet cool people

I'm a great guest, I keep things tidy and respect my hosts wishes. If you want to go out and do fun things, lets go! And if you need some peace and quiet at home, you'll hardly know I'm there.

My travel philosophy:
-Bring things back to the primitive, travel-wise: wild camping, hitchhiking, and getting by with just the bare essentials is a travel style that I love. Giving up modern conveniences makes me feel closer to the local people, and gives one an organic experience.
-Get off the beaten path: Of course I love to go see the proverbial Great Wall or Eiffel Tower, but my most fond memories are made when getting away from the usual tourist spots. When I find myself in a place that's very "real," I feel like I'm discovering something new, not just following the tourist guide book.
-Be good to everyone: hosts, guests, locals, hostel volunteers, all deserve our patience and respect.

Likes:
-sleeping outside
-early morning swims
-playing 'the drums' on random objects

Dislikes:
-politics
-mosquitos
-cold toilet seats

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've always thought that people can be one's best resource; why take along a map if you can find someone who can show you the way? More and more I'm learning that personal relationships are the ultimate takeaway, better than any souvenir.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A week in Portland, Oregon began my Surfing saga. A friend of mine set us up with three different hosts, each one interesting and oh-so hospitable. That week in a strange new town affected me deeply, and thus a Couchsurfer was born!

A year later I moved to Shanghai to work as a teacher. I opened my small apartment up to Surfers from all over the place, and had a blast showing people around my neighborhood, going out to eat noodles, and swapping war stories from the places we had been.

Since then I haven't stopped traveling, but sadly am not in a position to host at my new home. But I'll never forget the kindness and generosity I felt from the gracious people I encountered, and I hope to pay it all back in some way.

Interests

Taking photos
Music (guitar & drums)
Enjoying the outdoors
Geocaching
Discovering new places (however unremarkable)
Writing in my journal (my handwriting sucks)
Drinking the beers of the world
People watching

• writing
• cooking
• breakfast
• beer
• reading
• music
• guitar
• drums
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• sailing

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was waiting to board an overnight train in Goa, India when I struck up a conversation with a German girl also waiting on the platform. We chatted about this and that and I learned we were headed for the same terminal station. I had in my hand a second class ticket, which got me a bed in a shared berth, relatively cushy accommodations for a long journey. Our train pulled up and we climbed aboard. Wishing to carry on our conversation, I asked her what class she was in. As people pushed past us on either side, she gave a rather sad smile and said "no class," as she turned and walked toward the back of the train, disappearing into the throng. A truly "Kerouac" moment, it made me reflect deeply on the things that happened before and since.

Maybe not "amazing" but that one really stuck with me, and I think about it often.

Countries I’ve Visited

Aruba, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, England, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, India, United States