I grew up all over the world. The longest I spent in a single place is split between Yerevan Armenia and the backwoods of Northwest Florida; 4-5 years each. Armenia was international schools, Embassy dinners, bumpy road trips to remote villages with my father (1997-2000). Florida was my shooting fish with a cross bow out of my canoe in the swamps/ filming backyard wrestling days. (2000-2005). There’s still a little bit of “Florida Man” in me.
I joined the Air Force in 2006. My first station was in Korea. My second station was in Germany, which is where I deployed to Afghanistan from. You might say that did a number on my heart. In 2010, I quit and started hitchhiking from there to Beijing. Then rode a bicycle from Xi’an to Bangkok. I started studying International Relations in Brussels in 2011. In 2014, I went to Nepal and taught English for a few months, then moved to Taos, New Mexico where I learned everything I could about sustainable development practices and got some hands on while I worked at a Ski Resort for a couple of seasons. That’s where I picked up snowboarding. In 2015, I started down my activist road speaking out against my work in Afghanistan. Since then, I spoke all over the world as a subject matter expert on emerging technologies used in war. I spent two months at Standing Rock, North Dakota at the indigenous pipeline protest monitoring the use of surveillance on protestors and getting tear gassed by the police. I spent some time in Portland after that. Then I came to Tijuana in 2018 to help asylum seekers who fled here from about 20 different countries. I volunteered with Food Not Bombs and a legal/medical clinic serving the undocumented. Now I’m working on a book and doing remote work.

Что привело меня на Couchsurfing

In 2010, I traveled overland from where I worked in Germany through Eastern Europe, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southwest Asia by myself, mostly by hitchhiking and the last bit by bicycle. I wanted to connect with each place I went and get to know the culture. Hostels were hit or miss when I got to know people and I got a little tired of hitting all the tourist spots. I met many wonderful people on the road and through Couchsurfing. I hosted a few times in a couple of places and found it gratifying, I love exchanging life stories and being among kindred spirits. It’s been awhile since I was able to host, but I’m hoping to be able to do it more.

Интересы

• human rights
• coffee
• cycling
• mountaineering
• scuba diving
• snowboarding
• international relations
• hitchhiking
• permaculture
• meeting new people
• mycology
• indigenous cultures
• campervans

Музыка, кино и книги

I enjoy all sorts of music. Tinariwen is probably my favorite band.

I’m a big fan of documentaries.

I’m also addicted to my audible account. I mostly listen to non fiction but I do enjoy a good suspension of my disbelief.

Классная вещь, которую я сделал(-а)

I hitchhiked from Kashgar in Western China to Beijing with zero money to my name. My debit card was skimmed at an ATM and all my money was stolen. I lived on pots of noodles and pickled chicken feet that truck drivers graciously gave me for about two weeks until I got to Beijing were my new credit card awaited, it was quite a trip. I had to have changed about 5 tires on the way.

Учу, учусь, делюсь опытом и информацией

Well, I suppose I know a few things... I’m a bit shy to call myself a teacher as others may far exceed my own knowledge or experience. But I know about computers and networking thanks to my stint in the Air Force (not sure why we’d need that). I have a Bachelors Degree in International Affairs and it’s lead me down some pretty extensive rabbit holes throughout my life since. Psychology, Social Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethics, International Law, and I often ponder the implications of emerging technology on individuals and societies.

I have built Earthships (passive solar off grid homes), and am in love with permaculture, mycology and ethnobotany.

Here in Mexico I spent time working with organizations helping refugees in their path toward asylum. It’s what brought me to Tijuana.

Чем я могу поделиться с хостами

I am traveling on my motorcycle and enjoy taking people on rides, so I always bring an extra helmet with me. Let's explore the city by bike. Just tell me where to go, I'll put it in the GPS.

I'll buy you a drink or lunch, or make you something in your kitchen. :)

Где я побывал(-а)

Afghanistan, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Luxembourg, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Norway, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States

Где я жил(-а)

Armenia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Nepal, South Korea, United States

• 

•