I grew up in the US in east coast cities, Boston and Philadelphia and New York. When I was in gradeschool my family moved to Seattle WA. I went to college in Vermont and these days I live with my grandparents in Philadelphia PA. My parents are architects and I have two younger brothers. I've been working in maintenance and construction, and I have a BA in American history. I've had a lot different jobs, all of them fascinating in their own way, but I've been working non-stop for years now and I decided to take some time off to travel and learn about the places I've read so much about. Trying to develop a philosophy of work/life balance that works for me instead of against me! I take constant mental notes and try to learn by absorption and osmosis. Very interested in comparing notes with others. I think interest, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder - everything is interesting if you know how to look. Even when things sound simple or ordinary, there's probably a lot going on under the surface.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am traveling in the UK and Europe, trying to get a sense of the culture and history. I am hoping to meet local people and learn about them and what their lives are like so I can get a fuller sense of what places and cultures are really like. I've done a lot of similar traveling in the US, but I had a car to cover ground and to sleep in, so I am trying to adapt my traveling style to Europe. Couchsurfing seems like a great way to meet people and spend time with them and get a better grasp on what their lìves are really like. In the US I've done a lot of staying with relatives of friends, friends of friends, that kind of thing, and I realized I was already couchsurfing the hard way. In a place where I don't know many people, why not sign up and do it properly? The next time I've settled down for a while, hopefully I can pay it forward and help someone else do the same.

Interests

I read for fun, especially history but a little of everything. I play some fiddle, but I listen to all kinds of things. I like to learn about people and places. I'm a hiker, urban and rural. I go to a lot of historical reenactments and living history sites. I enjoy art, though it's been a while since I made much of it. I am interested in the economies and infrastructures of places and how they change over time, and how those changes affect the people who live there. I want to compare the work cultures of different places. I am interested in what will happen to national identities in the 21st century. I try to learn about these things whenever possible by immersion in people's daily lives and by asking their opinions in detail about local and world events.

• animals
• arts
• culture
• beauty
• drinking
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• karaoke
• hiking
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

I read a lot of history, especially but not only American history. Eighteenth century, twentieth century, you name it. I'm particularly strong in the colonial era. I have a pretty modest grounding in european and world history as well, or anyway I think I do - I'm about to find out! Recently i've been reading a lot about the aftermath of the american civil war, and about immigration in that era. Plenty of fiction as well. I like Steinbeck, Melville, Faulkner, Orwell. I worked my way through most of the greek classics when I was a kid. I still return to the Iliad and Beowulf regularly. I'm a lifelong Tolkien addict. I really like Cormac McCarthy and Flannery O'Connor a lot.

I like old monster films, period dramas, science fiction, european cop shows, all kinds of things. In particular just about anything with a vivid sense of setting. I listen to a lot of different music, folk and rock and blues and punk and old country and some rap. I grew up on irish folk and american bluegrass and these days I particularly like garage rock, but I'll try anything. Some of my favorites are the Kills, the White Stripes, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, AC/DC, Doc Watson, Chuck Berry, to name a few. I've done a lot of living out of my car, and it dosen't have a CD player, so after my ipod got stolen it was just me and the radio - in other words, I can listen to just about anything and survive.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I drove around the United States living out of my car in order to see the country. I took about six months and made it to all 48 of the lower 48 states. I went to a lot of museums and battlefields and tried to split my time evenly between countryside and cities, obvious and obscure, and to read a lot beforehand and as I went in order to better understand what I was seeing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm happy to help out with whatever needs doing! I'm always up for learning a new skill or helping out with a project. More generally, I want to learn from the successes and challenges of other societies, and eventually apply those lessons to making my home the best place it can be.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm concientious, I pick up after myself, I make a habit of doing dishes when I stay with people. I'm easy to please and don't expect luxury or attention. I like hanging out and learning about people's lives, so I am happy to tag along on whatever errands or events are going on. I'm not much of a partier, but if the music is right and I have a few drinks I can be persuaded to karaoke! Seriously though, I'm not picky. I'm friendly and curious and polite. I am happy to help out with projects or errands or keep people company. I am definitely used to spending time with people of all ages. I love animals and kids, if you've got either of those! I am flexible and low-key. I like to hear people's opinions on just about anything they're willing to talk to me about. It's not easy to offend me, so feel free to let rip. I might or might not agree but either way I'm definitely curious about what you have to say, and I guarantee I've heard stranger things... A lot of people seem curious about the US, I'm happy to try to answer any questions and I've studied it all my life. Like I said, I don't get offended easily so fire away!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States