CURRENT MISSION

I direct two non-profit educational organizations, one in Germany and the other in my native Midwest; both are a peace project "hiding" as a mobile living-history museum, which my staff and I take far and wide.

ABOUT ME

I believe in change, in travel, in making connections. I'm pleased to be once again living in Germany after so many years of traveling the world and, most recently, having spent a decade back in my native land, the Upper Midwest of the USA [for details of the project I created there, see www.TRACES.org] I reside in what may be one of the coziest towns in Mitte Europa: my home in Medieval Erfurt is light and airy, with large glass doors leading to a compfy sun room doubling as an intimate garden. Life here is VERY easy; I love it like that: Come!

PHILOSOPHY

I try to do as little damage as possible to the Earth and the others who inhabit it--both two-legged and otherwise. I'm an activist by heart, and a thinker.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm pleased to offer pleasant but modest lodging to travelers for 1-2 nights, and offer them tips of what to see in my neighborhood, region, Germany and Europe, generally. I also can give detailed "insider tips" of where to visit in one of the most overlooked regions of the US, the true Heartland of a large, complex modern nation: I know very well Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Nebraska... You'd be most welcome to explore the "real America" some time! [I apologize in advance for the mad man occupying the White House at present...]

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been a member of Hospitalityclub.org since 2007, and of Couchsurfing.org since about the same time. With few exceptions, my experiences have been very positive. I have learned so much, staying with GREAT people from numerous cultures; I've tried, in my modest way, to offer new perspectives on the often-misunderstood, often-cliche-limited Midwest/US, too.

Interests

I enjoy travel/reading/swimming/hiking/cooking/having friends over for dinner/biking--and much, much more! I tend towards philosophizing and being interested in politics, current issues, films, people...

• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• gardening
• politics
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• swimming
• discussions
• discovering new places

Music, Movies, and Books

Films draw me like a moth to flame! Currently I'm keen to read anything by or about Elizabeth Gilbert: "Eat, Pray, Love" touched me deeply; she and I have had parallel journeys, me thinks. On a more intellectual level, I find Noah Harari's work fascinating, as he speaks exactly to my most passionate cultural and social interests.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Where can I start? I've had a RICH and VARIED life; I've also been exceptionally lucky... Now, having returned to live in the Heart of Europe, my life's become infinitely richer, more colorful and anchored. I consider this opportunity a True Gift! Hopefully, spending time with me and my friends/Hausmate/interns will enrich your life or at least your "journey" among us, too.

Teach, Learn, Share

See the web site I created at www.TRACES.org; there are a LOT of GREAT pages there to click on... Otherwise, let's have a glass of wine or cup o' coffee and talk!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I wasn't born yesterday; I've lived in five cultures: I am fortunate to possess quite a bit of wisdom (if one may say that about one's Self), tempered by self-criticism. I'm eager to get to know other people, places, cultures, perspectives.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Czech Republic, England, Germany, United States

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