CURRENT MISSION

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.

ABOUT ME

I don't really know what to say about myself. Right now I live for the thrill of the new, the chance of change and the opportunity for growth. I love the thought of travel, every day is a piece of the unknown. I want to see the world, learn the violin, learn amazing recipes, swim in clear waters around the world, learn to surf, skydive, cave dive, snorkel, bungee jump, try new wine, see old worlds and new. I love to mock bad movies, read good books, meet new people, roam free. I wish I could tell people more about myself, but there is a lot left to find out, maybe you can help me.

visited 25 states (11.1%)Create your own visited map of The World or Amsterdam travel guide for Android

PHILOSOPHY

"I Would Be True" by Howard A. Walter, 1917
I would be true, for there are those that trust me.
I would be pure, for there are those that care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer.
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all, the foe, the friendless.
I would be giving, and forget the gift,
I would be humble, for I know my weakness,
I would look up, laugh, love and live.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I haven't participated yet, but I'm hoping to find a couch or floor somewhere with an interesting person to share some space and a cup of coffee with for a couple nights.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I kinda stumbled upon the concept by accident. I stayed with some really great volunteers in Peru (my first teaching job, totally re-defined life). It was an off-the-books experience, meaning it wasn't through this site, it was just the spontaneous combination of luck and kindness. I'm hoping to have more experiences like this in the future.

Interests

Right now I'm learning yoga and growing a little more addicted with every day. I really want to learn the violin, but I currently have an apartment with very thin walls, so I don't think it's the most appropriate time to start learning. I LOVE to travel, I'm sure that part is obvious, but it's still worth mentioning. I also clearly prefer low-budget travel. More than anything I like staying in the silent, unseen ghettos of countries (the places lonely planet overlooks). They're a depth of culture and country you have to experience if you're hoping to understand anything about where you are. They so often go without notice to the modern traveler, but I've found so much worth loving in them. I LOVE FOOD. I'm a huge patron of all things food related. I've got an adventurous palate, and I truly love picking up new recipes in other countries. If you're willing to teach it, I'm willing to learn it. I want to learn more about photography. I really love taking pictures when I travel, but I don't really know much about the whole process, so anything that comes out well is just a bit of luck. I'm really hoping to capture images from those ghettos previously mentioned, to bring the unseen reality to the forefront of imagery.

• culture
• books
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• coffee
• yoga
• movies
• traveling
• violin
• cave diving
• snorkeling
• bungee jumping
• skydiving
• swimming
• tourism
• budget travel

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taught underprivileged children in the slums outside of Lima, Peru.
Sang the night away under the stars in the Moroccan Sahara.
Skinny dipped in a hot spring in Iceland.
Learned to cook from street vendors in Thailand.
Danced myself free in Sri Lanka.
Bathed in the light of a super-moon in Tuscany.
Got lost in the Amazon.
Keep finding home where I left it, time and time again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a couple of good recipes from around the world =] I'm hoping we can trade techniques! I really hope to share conversation. Everyone has a story, I know I have a handful, and I'd like to share them with you if you'd like to share some back!

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cambodia, Peru, Thailand, United States