CURRENT MISSION

To see, live, explore, and meet amazing and interesting people.

ABOUT ME

My name is Ander and I grew up just outside of San Francisco, California. My mother was born in South Africa and spent much of her young adult life living all over Europe and my father grew up in New York City. I have been to Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, South Africa, as well as all over the United States. My most recent foreign adventure was to Europe in 2010.

At the moment, I'm in the process of starting my own content and marketing consulting business. It's my first time getting something like this going on my own, so it should be an adventure! Previously I produced a podcast full time, built music libraries for internet radio stations, and help an on-air gig on a classic rock FM station in San Francisco.

Traveling is one of the most important things to me and is something that I place an incredibly high value on. Rather than spending the money to sit on a beach for weeks (which, is of course, nice for a period of time), it is far more important to me to experience the people that give a country or region it's unique characteristics. I am constantly blown away by the kindness of strangers all around the world, and based upon my experience, there is no better way to learn about another place than to live and work with the people that make the community and/or country what it is.

Please feel free to ask me all and any questions. I am more than happy to answer them.

PHILOSOPHY

The world is full of amazing surprises.

We can break down feelings and thoughts about life as much as you want, but in reality, it's about the ENTIRE experience that makes us what and who we are as well as makes the world what it is.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I can't host with my current living situation, but I would absolutely love to meet up! I was born and raised in San Francisco and know Northern California like the back of my hand. Please let me know if you'd like someone to show you around. I have a car and I'm always willing to play tour guide or take off for a two day trip somewhere.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted a few people in the past, but most of my experience comes with meeting up with fellow travelers and finding really awesome things to do.

Interests

Music, Guitar, Saxophone, Skiing, Snow, Summer, Traveling, Traveling, Traveling, unpredictable adventures, History, Dogs, all other animals, Law, Making new friends, Movies, Other People, Talking to Strangers, People Watching, the Beach, Acting and Theater, Art, Absurdism and Surrealism, Latin America, Third World Community Development, Immigration Reform, Spanish, Linguistics, Food, Africa, Swedish Fish, and all other candy, Laughing, Quantum Physics, Astronomy, Time Travel, Human Pyschology and Psychiatry, Emotions, Consciousness and it's different levels, Sociology, Mental Illness, Immigration, Urban Studies, the Sociology of Drug Use, other people's beliefs and why they have them as well as how they operate in practice, Technology, Having Fun, Beer, Wine, coffee, Meeting new people, Being Outside, Comedy, Baseball (Giants), Football (49ers), Camping, Magic, Craigslist, Philosophy

• animals
• dogs
• fish
• arts
• theater
• acting
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• technology
• movies
• traveling
• magic
• music
• guitar
• fishing
• camping
• skiing
• baseball
• soccer
• astronomy
• business
• history
• law
• physics
• sociology
• tourism
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I love films and books that make me laugh, think, or come close to making me cry. I recently read Life of Pi and absolutely loved it.

Music is essential to my life and wellbeing. I love music of the jamband variety, however I regularly listen to literally all types of music.

Here is a brief sample of some of my favorite musicians and genres:
Phish
Led Zeppelin
Grateful Dead
Jimi Hendrix
STS9
Bob Marley
Journey
The Doors
The Beatles
Tupac
The Rolling Stones
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young as well)
Bluegrass
Jazz
Hard Rock
Electronic.

I'm very open to reading, watching, or listening to just about anything. If it's compelling in any way at all, I'm definitely interested.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I update this as amazing things happen...

In early August of this year, I bought a one way ticket to New York and spent a month following Phish, my favorite band, around the country. I visited cities I'd never seen, made a ton of new friends, reconnected with old ones, and saw INCREDIBLE music.

Among the highlights was meeting with two Couchsurfers in Colorado for two days of camping in the mountains. It was spectacular.

Teach, Learn, Share

In my experiences, I've noticed the following:

Although it's important to stay safe and make good decisions, always think twice before saying "no." Don't leap before you look, but don't be afraid to get a little close to the edge to see where that leap will lead you.

Also, I've recently learned that the traditionally responsible decisions when it comes to travel and new experiences are not always the right ones. Sometimes it's ok to spend money on something that you maybe can't afford. I'm happy to elaborate on that if you'd like.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, music (I frequently travel with my small guitar), insight to internet trends, cooking, laughter, and much more. Just ask! I can meet many people's needs if there is a specific request.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Panama, United States