I am a down-to-earth fun-loving boy from the heart of the Midwestern United States.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I enjoy meeting and talking with folks. The world is big but communication makes it manageable. The CS Project is the ideal medium for meeting individuals of different backgrounds and mindsets. I love (couch) surfing and would like to do much more of it, I am very open to hosting or happy to simply meet up for coffee.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first CS experience was after a day and a half's travel from Minneapolis MN, to London England via Dublin and Chicago. My travel partner and I were exhausted and completely unfamiliar with the London transport system. It took us four hours to finally find our hosts "place". By the time we got in around 11pm, we were beat to say the least.

The old London ambulance camper conversion we were to spend the night in, we found parked in front of the historic; St. Michaels Church. It wasn't too long after our arrival that we were confronted by a concerned parishioner. She left after our host Jina assured her we were not there to spend the night. It wasn't long after the woman's departure, that 5 London police officers were standing at the open barn doors of the ambulance with our two hosts and my travel partner and I crammed within. We were sternly asked to leave within ten minutes time or the whole ambulance and its contents would be confiscated in the name of the Queen. Our host Evan was outraged and ready to fight the haughty London police tooth and nail. My travel partner and I were tired and ready for bed but even more-so than that, we were not ready to be deported back to the States before the trip even began. Finally Evan was talked down and convinced that we needed to leave and find a new place to park the camper for the night. My travel mate and I soon found ourselves snuggled up on the very limited floor space.

In the morning there was much human juggling as we packed to leave and our hosts prepared for work. Upon our departure, we found we had just spent the night among a street of lofty villas, just adjacent to the (unknown to us at the time) prestigious Highgate School. In the end my first CS was a great adventure and learning experience. Needless to say it was a great way to kickoff a wild month-long Euro-trip and a lifetime of CouchSurfing.

Interests

I am generally yet thoroughly interested in the great outdoors! I enjoy all that is associated apart from humidity and inhibiting bug bites. I am open to trying anything when it comes to outdoor recreation!

Although Asia has slowed me down a bit, I have a good sized shot glass collection from nearly everywhere I have been.

I love gardening, particularly shade gardening as well as vegetable and medicine herb cultivation. I find bonsai and moss to be intriguing and beautiful. I am finding myself more and more drawn to simple, natural design.

I am not ready to settle down, but feel that eventually my calling may be Landscape Design. That, or I'll just open a guesthouse :)

I am also quite interested in simple living and the notion of 'tiny homes'.

I love autumn and everything it stands for!

• photography
• gardening
• sailing
• campervan

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I have never been a movie junkie. When asked what I want to watch my only precept is that it needs to be something I've never seen before. I feel life is too short and there are too many movies to watch the same twice. Apart from that really I will watch anything, I am not too critical but tend to avoid horror flicks.

Music: I grew up in the 90's, listing to the rock hits of the 60's, 70's & 80's. That's not to say I didn't have Backstreet Boys and the Titanic soundtrack on cassette. Again I am not too critical and obviously have a eclectic taste.

Books: I need to read more. I've read the HP series through and through. I Similarly I became addicted to the Inheritance Cycle. Most recently I have fished the Game of Thrones series but almost feel like I need to go back and read them again... A few summers back while living at a remote research station, I picked a James Patterson novel and had become hooked on his thrillers ever since. One of the more inspiring books I have read would be "First You Have to Row a Little Boat: Reflections on Life & Living".

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have been fortunate enough to have many. Lets talk about it.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach -
I am willing to take in anyone who is interested in my way of life and region.

Learn -
I want to see how life is outside of my west Wisconsin paradigm. This world provides much diversity thus there is much to learn!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Well I wish I were an entertainer. The ability to sing, crack jokes, dance, play an instrument... Thats not me.

I'm a good listener. I can do dishes. I like cooking (although I have never prepared a meal in another's house before) I love gardening and yard chores. I have a decent camera and enjoy taking photos. Maybe I could provide you with a new profile photo?

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Taiwan, United States

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