I'm a fun-loving, hard-working American, trying to make it through this crazy world. I am a writer by heart, service industry worker by trade.

I recently helped put together a travel guide for Barcelona for the youger crowd, that focused less on the sites and more on the lesser known and more interesting places Barcelona has to offer. I would like to somehow parlay my writing skills into a travel writing gig of some kind in the near future.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Hostels and hotels are nice, but I think the best way to get to know a country is to interact with its people, to talk with them and find out the things they most enjoy. There is only so much you can learn from a guidebook full of must-see places.

During my trip through Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba years ago, I only stayed with local families and not only did I get to know the places I stayed on a much more intimate level than if I had stayed in an apartment or hotel, I also was able to learn about the people I was staying with and practice my Spanish at the same time.

Interests

I love writing. I can often be found in a quiet corner, pen moving across the page as I try to collect my thoughts and process the day's events.

I also love to read. In fact, I have read through so many of the books I brought with me that I was forced to leave some behind along my journey to lighten my load (and because I seem to gain books as fast as I shed them)

Travelling to me is much like reading or writing, it is something I try to do regularly because it helps shape my understanding of the world. I can read about someting, and I can write my thoughts about what I have read, but the only way to know what I have read and written is at all true is to go out into the world and test it for myself.

• culture
• writing
• books
• folklore
• dining
• reading
• traveling
• tourism
• language exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

I am a huge John Steinbeck fan. His travelogues in particular are my favorites. He had such a vivid and caring way of describing people and places that it made me feel as if I was there. If I could steal any ability of any writer it would be that. The man could even personify a dinghy and have you emotionally invested.

My favorite artist would probably be either Radiohead or Otis Redding. I love the way Radiohead has kept pushing the evolution of their music throught the years, never content with staying with just one sound. On the other hand, Otis redding's voice managed to convey such a wide range of emotions that it is impossible for me not to get goose bumps whenever I hear him.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went to Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba as part of a language immersion course. I only had a ticket to and from Mexico. This forced me to get my spanish to the point where I felt comfortable to make all the travel arrangements as I went. And I did it, without a hitch.

Teach, Learn, Share

My grandpa was a Lutheran Minister and one of his greatest gifts was to listen to anyone and do so in a way that let them know that he cared and was interested in what they had to say. I like to think I carry on that tradition in my own way.

As I travel I love talking with people. I feel my service background helps with this, as it gives me understanding of life and work responsibilities of those people that are often invisible to most tourists. I've bartended, I've taken food orders, I've served banquets, this common ground makes it easy to relate with all types of people.

In talking with people, I learn about their life, their culture, the things they enjoy, and the same is the same for them about me. Without thinking about it, I have taught them about my life and country just as they have done the same for me. It is this sharing of culutral experience that sews us into the tapestry of humanity.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Being an English major, I can definitely help them with some of the trickier parts of learning that language. Plus, I am just an ehtusiatic person who wants to share the things I have larned from my travels with others, while at the same time learning from them.

I am a respectful guest, and more than willing to help out with whatever needs to be done. It helps me feel like I'm pulling my weight. I'm not just taking advantage of a cheap place to sleep but I am also helping out.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Germany, Guatemala, Israel, Mexico, Monaco, Palestine, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, United States