CURRENT MISSION

Strengthen my ability to bring my dreams/ideas into reality

ABOUT ME

I've always been amazed at the phenomenon whereby various surroundings make people feel different ways. Personally, that has led me to enjoy travelling and living in different countries, something I would like to do more of. Professionally, I do research and design of spacial and cognitive environments that make it easier for people to share their goals with others and realize them together.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is the art of negotiating between one's local existence and one's dreams

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've had the wonderful opportunity to couchsurf in Europe and now have a big enough place to host others.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing is brilliant. I've enjoyed wonderful couchsurfing experiences, and I look forward to many more. I have always loved meeting people, travelling, youth hostels, and hosting people, so I'm thrilled that this system exists.

Interests

Architecture, Well-designed things, Travelling, Practicing languages (French, Spanish, German, English), Learning new skills, Meeting people

• arts
• architecture
• design
• dining
• cooking
• gardening
• traveling
• socializing
• etymology
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: "The Life and Death of Great American Cities" (Jane Jacobs); "Guns, Germs, and Steel" (Jared Diamond); A Pattern Language (Christopher Alexander)...

Movies: "Antonia's Line"; "Maria Full of Grace"; "Undertow"; Almodovar;

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One summer I was a restless fourteen year old in Germany, chopping wood for my uncle behind his house in a picturesque hamlet of two thousand people to pass the time. Eventually I complained to him of being bored and restless. His response was to give me a bicycle, a map, and a pack of food prepared by my aunt, and he told me to go off for a few days and explore. During the next few days I rode through gorgeous countryside, chatting with farmers along the way despite not knowing German yet, and spending the night in the youth hostels of a series of medieval towns. I always appreciated his directive to embrace my curiosity and explore.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love learning languages, and etymology. I love cooking and tasting inventions with food. I love gardening. I have an odd enjoyment of rearranging furniture to optimize the experiential qualities of a room.

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Germany, Malta, Spain, United States