Born and raised in Los Angeles, to Iranian immigrant parents. After several years away in Massachusetts and New Orleans, I returned to Los Angeles a few years back! I love all things that have to do with cities, urbanism, and how people live in cities. I also love to try new foods of different cultures, and share stories, thoughts, and ideas.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love couchsurfing because one can experience different cultures, different people, and their immense generosity. As a traveler, you experience how much people have to give, how much they are willing to give to a new person to ensure that they have a good time, and that is a beautiful thing. Couchsurfing brings people from different places and different cultures together in a way that few other things do. You get to experience the beauty of humanity.

Interests

I hate driving around the city, so I prefer to bike! I have an extra bike at the house if you'd ever like to go on a bike ride! I'm a big fan of hiking, both day hiking and backpacking trips. I've only recently started going on overnight backpacking trips. As a City Planner, I love talking about all things urban, and anything related to the built environment. I've also love black and white photography, and take film photographs and develop photos. I also love coffee. I love how it tastes, I love the various coffee making methods, I love trying to new coffee brewing methods, and I love coffee shops.

• photography
• coffee
• politics
• reading
• hiking
• biking
• urbanism

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Invisible Man, Tropic of Cancer, The Savage Detectives, Fear of Small Numbers, Native Son, Between the World and Me, One Hundred Years of Solitude.

Music: Common, Coltrane, Jay-Z, Animal Collective, LCD Soundsystem, Neutral Milk Hotel, Future, all kinds of stuff

Movies: There will be blood, Chinatown, The Professional, Children of Men

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Teaching swing dance in Ramallah.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you some basic Farsi, or some basic photographic skills, or teach some dishes that I know how to cook. Whatever knowledge I have if its of interest, I'm happy to share! I'm always happy to share my interests with others, like bicycling, and I'm always more than willing to talk about politics, society, culture, etc. If you're staying with me, I love to share my knowledge of Los Angeles, and give tips on where to go, what to eat, what to see.

Right now, I'm making an effort to learn French. If you know French, I'm trying to learn!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Whatever I know, if you want to know it too, I can share! I love to share meals with hosts, whether its me cooking at home, or going to get some delicious and interesting food. I would love to share my love of coffee (i.e. take you out for some coffee), or explore the nightlife. I can share my passion for photography, or even teach you some basic swing dancing moves! I'm a social, somewhat talkative person, so hopefully, I can share my friendship and conversation as well!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Palestine, United Kingdom, United States

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