CURRENT MISSION

To travel the world, meet interesting people, introduce travelers to the wonders of Philadelphia, and experience new places!

ABOUT ME

I like to think of myself as an easy-going and optimistic person. I love to talk, and I can have a good conversation with anyone about pretty much anything. In general, I love meeting new people and learning as much as I can!

I'm an avid rock climber and hiker, so I've done a lot of traveling revolving around the great outdoors. I also love exploring cities and cultures, though, so it's easy for me to get the best out of any experience!

PHILOSOPHY

To me, generally you get out of life what you put into it. So I always look forward with a positive outlook and a smile on my face. It only makes sense to try and experience as much wonder in the world as I can, and with any luck I can leave a positive impact on those I meet along the way!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have mostly been a surfer, though during my last year of college I was lucky enough to do some hosting. Right now I'm doing a cross country road trip, so I'm back in surf mode!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I surfed with a number of different people on a backpacking trip through Europe, and I could not have had a better experience! Whether it was learning how to make Flemish beef stew outside Brussels, riding around Gent on a rickety old bike to sample Trappist beers, or running through a thunderstorm in Hannover, couchsurfing has enriched my traveling in amazing ways. To me, it's the perfect way to make new friends, experience other cultures, and create lifelong memories!

Interests

Rock climbing, hiking, mountaineering, cycling, reading, watching films, dancing, trying new foods, meeting people, learning about different cultures, exploring cities, writing, photography, cooking, and playing ukulele.

• writing
• photography
• dancing
• cooking
• beer
• running
• trivia
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• eating out
• socializing
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• mountaineering
• rock climbing

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I love movies of all kinds and genres. I have a soft spot for cheesy b movies that so bad that they're good. To name a few directors: Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Tornatore, Kurosawa, Joss Whedon, Truffaut, Tykwer, Edgar Wright

Music: I listen to almost everything: rock, ska, hip hop, folk, pop, classical, techno, swing, reggae, country, and indie. I especially love bluegrass and jazz, and can talk about both for hours.

Books: I like a lot of fantasy and sci-fi, along with literary fiction. I'm a big fan of early to mid 20th century American writers, such as Hemingway, Harper Lee, Betty Smith, and Fitzgerald. I'm also a huge Cormac McCarthy fan.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One amazing thing I've done in my life is mountaineering in the Lake District in England. It was my first mountaineering experience, and we got turned back by a blizzard while ascending the first day. The weather was better the next day, and I got to try my hand at ice climbing before before making the summit!

Teach, Learn, Share

I just started teaching my own sections of college students as a TA in my film department at Temple, so teaching people about film and video is kind of what I do for a living. Since most of my travel now is related to my film work, I'm usually got at least one camera on me and I'm always happy to teach guests or hosts more about photography or videography! Plus I know how to make a mean plate of biscuits and gravy, and Flemish beef stew that is to die for (thanks Jan!). I also love rock climbing and love introducing people to the sport.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States