CURRENT MISSION

Travel, explore, learn

ABOUT ME

My first experience with traveling and CS was while getting my masters in Portugal/Italy in 2011-12. I was luck enough to get into a wonderful Eramus sponsored program and learned a lot, traveled more, and met friends from around the world that I still am close to today.

Flash forward a few years and I'm living and working in Philadelphia with my eye always on the next adventure.

I'm a huge architecture and history fan/dork, so anywhere new I go the first thing is to wander the streets and soak up the colors, sights, and sounds that makes a place special.

I'm also a big music fan, both playing (guitar) and live. I'm one of those dreaded Grateful Dead (and Phish) fans but by no means a snob. I like everything from old delta blues to new & weird indie. If you take me to a show and introduce me to a new band, you've got a friend right here!

PHILOSOPHY

Keep an open mind. I come from a particular place with a particular view of the world and that's just boring. Nothing better than spending time somewhere with a friend who is a local...to feel a little bit what life is like there. I think we'd all be better off that way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've had experience CS while abroad, but most of it was more unofficial with friends or friends-of-friends. I have some traveling plans for 2019, some of it solo, and thought it would be nice to come back to the CS world.

Interests

I've played guitar for nearly 10 years now. If anyone plays guitar I'd love to have a jam session...Its a great way to get to know someone! Fair warning, I'm left handed!

I'm both a fan and a student of history ,architecture, and engineering. Its very easy to get me going about something I'm passionate about, especially when its some sort of feat of architecture or engineering, or really anything I happen to know about. I'm not the most organized person, and definitely a little scattered, but I always can remember a fun fact or three about something I'm interesting...and that's a long list!

One of my favorite things about traveling is to, even for a few fleeting days, be able to soak up the energy and culture of a new place. I don't want to do the package tours of hop on and off those awful tourists buses. I want to find the hole in the wall with the best lunch or party on the streets with new friends who want to open a little window into their life for me.

• culture
• architecture
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• cycling
• engineering
• history
• tours
• sightseeing

Music, Movies, and Books

Don't know where to start...Beatles stones, Grateful dead, anything Jack White does, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Robert Johnson ,Black Keys, Radiohead, Mississippi John Hurt, the list goes on and on...

I have a big group of Phish loving friends whom I've had so many great trips to shows or festivals with.

I'm a big reader, anything from classics by Hemingway or Faulkner or Steinbeck to new fiction as long as its well written. Currently going through an American history phase and just bought a Lincoln bio.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was backpacking through Italy with a good friend and we found ourselves in Florence on a calm, sunny afternoon in late summer. Somehow we managed to wander up to Piazza Michelangelo at dusk with perfect timing to watch the sun set. If you don't know already, the sun setting over Florence is one of the most beautiful sights in in the world. There was this calming, almost spiritual ora that overtook everyone there. I wouldn't be surprised to know that tears were shed that evening. We all stood there in awe, trying to fully appreciate every last glowing moment and finding no use for words. Finally, the sun set--but not before the small crowd that assembled broke out into applause. That was the first (and only, to date) sunset that got a standing ovation ;D

Teach, Learn, Share

Like I said before, I'm a big history and architecture fan. My masters is in historical preservation! If you're lucky (or unlucky) enough to show me a place or building I know about get ready for me to talk your ear off.

I'm a lover of fun facts in all shapes sizes and types. So be prepared !

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hopefully I have a few passions that I can share with you, and hopefully you have some passions that you can teach me.

I'm not a half bad cook and would be a terrific side kick for an adventure.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Portugal, United States