CURRENT MISSION

To boldly go where we haven't gone before.

ABOUT ME

I work at Westlake University, was formerly on the faculty at Sichuan University and the University of Virginia; Vivian is a graduate of the UVa law school.

I've been trying to learn Spanish for a few years, through self-study and trips to Spain and Latin America. Now I'm pretending to learn Chinese.

Vivian speaks fluent English, Mandarin, and Shanghaiese.

PHILOSOPHY

In the immortal words of Mark Twain: Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Looking to meet people, make friends, learn about different places, cultures, and food.

Interests

We're interested in travel, cooking, food, Spanish, Mexican culture and folk art, and making friends with people from all over the world. Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, cheese, wine, bread, chiles, coffee. Did I mention food?

• arts
• culture
• dining
• italian food
• cooking
• wine
• chinese food
• cheese
• coffee
• mexican food
• traveling
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

I grew up with classical music and learning to play Beethoven, Chopin, and Schubert, but I’ve become interested in most kinds of music.

Movie genres I enjoy include scifi, spy thrillers, historical drama, sometimes romantic dramas.

Favorite books are the travel narratives of Paul Theroux; biographies by Robert Caro.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbing the pyramids in Teotihuacan.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have a nice Steinway grand piano, and love to accompany people who play the violin or sing, especially Schubert lieder and Teresa Teng songs. I can teach you to make classic cocktails, ragu, and risotto. And I especially like to converse with people who want to practice their English.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, conversation, cocktails.

At the moment we just have a couch for sleeping but will soon have a bed in a private room.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, United States

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