I'm a tall, conversational, laid-back outdoorsman who loves all things Cairo, particularly ahwas, feluccas, and beledi bars. I worked in refugee resettlement and humanitarian affairs in Egypt, Kenya, and assorted refugee camps and cities in Eastern Africa for five years and am now clerking (essentially ghostwriting) for a judge at the federal courthouse in Las Cruces, NM.

On the weekends, I enjoy hiking and climbing in the Organ Mountains, getting up into the Gila for some backpacking, and walking through the farmers market on Saturday morning.

**fully vaccinated and boosted**

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Traveling to me is not about seeing some sights or visiting a new country but rather getting to know that people that make locations special and give them life. When I travel, I love using Couchsurfing to meet up with other travelers or people who call wherever I am home in order to get their perspective on that place's culture, history, politics, and life. When I'm not backpacking abroad, I enjoy hosting folks as they pass through southern New Mexico to put karma back into the pot and hear about people's stories and adventures.

Interests

I'm a shameless foodie who discovered a love for cooking and stress baking while living in Cairo. I love to talk about politics, particularly topics related to human rights, humanitarian relief, and refugee resettlement. While in cities, I love to explore museums, sit in cafes with my book and watch the world go by, and indulge in some good food/drink. When not in cities, I'm usually found on a hike, lounging in a campsite, or climbing a rock face.

• humanitarian relief
• human rights
• cooking
• baking
• drinking
• politics
• reading
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• rock climbing
• refugees

Music, Movies, and Books

On the music front, I enjoy bluegrass, Americana, and Arabic hip-hop. I don't generally watch movies and TV shows unless I'm on an airplane or am burned out but make exceptions for the Wire and indie documentaries. I'll read almost anything, particularly if its fantasy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Counted shooting stars in Siwa, in the middle of the Saharan Desert

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm trying to relearn Spanish and learn how to throw bowels and mugs on a pottery wheel (so my kitchen is filled with slighly off kilter bowls)

What I Can Share with Hosts

A drink, a sarcastic sense of humor, some interesting coversation, and recommendations for trails, restaurants, and sights in Southern NM.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Rwanda, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Uganda, Wales, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Egypt, Kenya, United States