Hi, I’m Damascus (天翼).

I currently live in NYC as a software engineer, as I've just graduated university.

I’ve spent a lot of time living in and returning to places like Taiwan and Japan, and I tend to travel by staying long enough for places to stop feeling new.

I like the small, normal parts of life in a city — neighborhood food, simple routines, walking until you recognize streets. I’m usually happiest wandering somewhere without a plan, letting the day fill in the details.

Some moments that stick out for me: walking Medellín with locals instead of doing “the sights,” sharing mangoes late at night with friends in Taiwan, getting lost (and found) in Tunisian markets. Those kinds of days make places feel familiar very quickly.

When I’m not traveling, I cook often, spend time with music (jazz has always been home base), and tinker with tech projects that usually start as curiosity and sometimes become something useful. I’m pretty easygoing, observant, and calm — more into shared moments than packed schedules.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’ve learned that places make the most sense to me when I see how someone actually lives there.

Hostels and hotels are fine, but staying with locals has led to better meals, better conversations, and better memories. Couchsurfing feels like an extension of that — less about “hosting” and more about sharing space naturally.

I keep things very low‑pressure. I don’t expect to hang out all day, and I’m just as happy doing our own things and reconnecting later over food or tea.

Interests

Learning languages, food, music, storytelling, technology and innovation, aviation.

• jazz
• food
• saxophone
• artificial intelligence
• snacking

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything is fair game. I like jazz, reggaeton, dembow, salsa, banda, corridos, pop, rap, drill. If it makes me move, I’ll like it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Last year, I completed the SAS EuroBonus Millionaire Challenge, a promotion that required flying 15 different SkyTeam airlines within a few months to earn a million bonus points. It was a logistical puzzle and a wild adventure. I juggled dozens of flights across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, navigating fifth freedom routes and overnight layovers to make it happen.

For most, it might seem crazy—spending days in transit just to chase points—but for me, it was an incredible experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
I can cook dishes inspired by places I’ve lived or passed through, share how I plan trips efficiently, or help demystify airline points if that’s interesting to you. I’m also always happy to talk music.

Learn:
Your everyday routines, food you actually eat, phrases you use at home, and places you wouldn’t think to recommend.

Share:
Meals, wandering walks, easy conversation, and silence when it naturally fits.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Cooking – happy to make a meal or cook together
Music – I can bring a saxophone if it makes sense, or just listen
Good guest energy – tidy, respectful, independent, and relaxed

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, Taiwan, United States