ABOUT ME: Update 30.10.2023: I am not currently hosting since I will be mostly traveling during my Sabbatical from November 2023 through October 2024. Meet me on the road!

About myself:
I was travelling a lot myself in 2019 and even 2020, when COVID made couchsurfing and travelling harder, so I couldn't host for a while. Did take it up again unofficially rather early, when it was outlawed, so you don’t find the references of all those stranded souls on my profile lol, but then got disenchanted because so many people sent requests who never read my profile and clearly just wanted a free bed.

I am a friendly and outgoing person, very well travelled (100+ countries including the likes of Afghanistan, Iraq and such). My cat Füli is also fun, if a bit rogue, whereas my cat Janosch is our cuddliest family member... We love to host and also to stay with people (ok I travel without the cats but you can't be allergic to them if you want to stay with me - their hair is absolutely everywhere!) because it is more fun and I or my guests potentially get to meet people or see corners we wouldn't normally see... my daughter btw is 22, lives downstairs from me and also likes to travel and meet couchsurfers, so she might show you around town if I don't have time. Or my flatmate, if he's not currently travelling.

I generally accept all ages, genders, colors and whatnot into my flat, but not necessarily all ideologies...Tip: do use my name in your request, show that you've read my profile - and incorporate the words "third man" into your request. Oh and please don't write to me if all you want is a free bed - there are very affordable hostels in Vienna. I enjoy hosting for the exchange and the experience, not just for the laundry ;). Of course, there is no need to spend all or most of the time with me, I will very likely already have quite a few plans of my own anyway!

If and when I will host again, the following will apply: I prefer you to be verified to stay with me (or have a considerable number of verifiable, i.e. not just personal recommendations).

I also usually prefer to host the 30+ and above crowd. Love the 20 something,s my daughter is there, but we’re often not on the same rhythm ;). I make exceptions for young women travelling alone sometimes in order to provide a safe space!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

as above...btw, I strongly prefer verified guests. A number of good real (not just personal) recommendations will also probably do.

I started trying out CS in 2012 after having done it informally all my life, staying with frisbee players and human rights people and burners all over the planet and of course hosting them in Vienna....

Interests

I like human beings, burns (as in Burning Man) culture, philosophy, politics, mountains, disc sports, anything outdoors really....human beings first, the rest in no particular order :)

• culture
• books
• working out
• politics
• movies
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• sports
• tourism
• hitchhiking
• cultural immersion
• sightseeing
• beaches
• mountains
• cinema
• nature
• people
• local food
• climbing
• talking
• landscapes
• chatting
• hanging out with friends
• yoga and meditation

Music, Movies, and Books

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and many more!!!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Came in second in the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association - yes, it exists) World Championships the summer after graduating from Law School in the US - not a bad combination :). Graduated with Barack Obama btw - actually, I think he didn't attend graduation, but we were in the same class of '91. Always a good conversation piece :)!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you disc ("Frisbee") golf if you are interested - there is a disc golf course right near my home in the huge Prater park, and I certainly have enough discs lying around...I'd probably be travelling with (at least) one as well.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A host of travel experience - I've been to more than 100 countries and counting, and have worked (mostly in international election observation) in around 30 of them. My sense of humour, openness, curiosity...if I travel with my daughter Clara (22), she has agreed to cook - and she's a great cook! You don't want me to cook for you, trust me. Except maybe ham and eggs or similar :), avocado toast for the vegans, I am flexible :o

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, Senegal, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Serbia, Turkmenistan, United States