An established, fun business, real estate and political professional who enjoys travel and connecting with fun people for laughs, learning and new experiences. I have homes in Michigan, USA and love the outdoors, hunting, swimming, good food and beer/wine. I'm not a beer snob I've been drinking the cheap stuff for years. Graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in Political Science and Communication/Journalism. I enjoy being an entrepreneur exploring interesting strategic business ideas & approaches. I HATE being a tourist so always appreciate the opportunity to connect with someone with local experience and instincts to help me better learn your culture, practices, shortcuts and hidden treasures.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

As mentioned before, I enjoy travel and new experiences and a friend in Rome recommended couchsurfing for friends & fun.

Interests

Enjoy travelling and learning new cities, cultures & figuring out how a new city "works". What are the points and processes that make an area "click". I love learning all the little nuances so I'm better equipped to have fun and help others on my next visit.

• chinese food
• massage
• learning languages
• meeting people
• sushi
• learning
• thrift shopping
• restaurants
• thai massage
• intelligent conversations
• fun people
• latvian language
• unique joints
• hole-in-the-wall
• entrepreneurial

Music, Movies, and Books

I love EDM & dance music. I read a lot of history and non-fiction (cold war, WWII, politics) and am a movie buff. I like the Usual Supects, Shawshank Redemption & all James Bond & Jason Bourne.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Completed 13 triathlons in 3 seasons. Healthier than I'd ever been in my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd love to connect with Latvian speakers to continue my work on my father's homeland's language, learn about local cuisine, customs, and how things "work".

What I Can Share with Hosts

Vast experience travelling Europe & Asia recently and a depth of US political and current events for those interested---I was a former elected official but retired as it was too crazy!

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, China, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States