I came to Europe for the first time to live here for 6 months in Germany. It was a big change and challenge, but it has been an amazing ride!

CURRENT MISSION

I recently finished my internship, and I am traveling until February with the goal of connecting with new people in new places.

I am all about learning from other cultures and living with locals! I love to share

ABOUT ME

From Miami, FL
I studied mechanical engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL.
I haven't been outside of the US until this past May when I traveled to Costa Rica. Since then, I have visited more places than I could have dreamed of! Living on another continent

PHILOSOPHY

Anything worth doing should terrify you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love meeting new people. Somehow, every blablacar I take I make new friends! I love learning about new cultures, and sharing experiences with new people. The world is a big place, but it doesn't have to feel that way!

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Stay, mostly. Hosting when I get back to the States, but I will be traveling my remaining time in Europe.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Came to Germany, without a clue where I would sleep my first night. Made a friend, had my life saved. Didn't end up on the street.

Interests

Biking, hiking, musical instruments, hammocks, photography.

I brought a Surly Karate Monkey with me to Europe, and I've been riding it on mountain bike trails and paths here in Germany. Taking it to the next level with a tour from Paris to Amsterdam.

I play guitar and almost everything else with strings. Gladly will teach what I know, or jam with others for a good time!

Hammocks are awesome for camping. Enough said.

My photographic interests are evolving; I recently bought a GoPro, and I'm making the jump back to videography. My new philosophy is that instead of a photo album, I create short videos. I think it captures more of the essence of the feelings a new place gives you. I still take stills with my Nikon D200, but I find myself using this less.

• photography
• perfumes
• traveling
• crochet
• guitar
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• tour de france
• engineering

Music, Movies, and Books

Music? Pretty much anything. Classic rock is always reliable. Electronic funk, too.

Movies? This is so broad, and I like a lot of things, so this may need some reworking in the future. For right now, a short list:
Anything Wes Anderson, Caddyshack, Superbad, Star Wars, The Walking Dead, Modern Family, ahhhhh there's so much more!!!!

Books? I feel this is a more personal topic just because of the feelings and reasons I have for cherishing the ones I love. But if I were going to give a friend a book, right now the $100 Startup is the one. Everyone should be happy with their job, and working for yourself is most likely the only way I will truly enjoy work.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Getting to watch the last day of Le Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées. Beautiful and breathtaking in every way. I didn't think I would get to see it for years, and fortune favored me in 2014. I got to see Jens Voigt in his last breakaway on the Champs as a professional. Phenomenal.

Sunset/sunrise on a bald in North Carolina. One of the most fantastic things I've ever seen.

Teach, Learn, Share

I would be glad to teach anyone some guitar, and/or how to crochet. Useful skills!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love making new friends everywhere. It's infectious. Blablacars, trains, buses, airplanes... wherever. I always seem to make connections with people.

I am not here to crash, I'm here to grow. I share myself, and want to learn about you. That's what CS is about. Germans say, "Man sieht sich immer zweimal im Leben," we always meet twice. So may this be the first time!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands Antilles, Romania, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States