CURRENT MISSION

To be a better teacher, to read good books, and to enjoy life

ABOUT ME

Male, 63, married to an English teacher (yikes!), used to hitchhike a lot, love trying to speak French, love literature, love Toastmasters speaking group, hope to live in India someday, love cats and dogs, laid-back (except when teaching), fan of the Bangor Folk Festival, love classical and folk music, go full speed during the school year and then relax totally in the summer, vegetarian, drink good black and green tea, give all the neighborhood dogs dog biscuits. Stepson Ian lives in China (teaching computer applications and playing in a band); stepdaughter Caitlin lives in Boston, USA (finishing a PhD in bilingual education--lived in Italy for five years); wife Ellen writes top-notch poetry and teaches with passion.

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind to the animals, encourage people to read, try to learn from everyone, try not to be judgmental

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Surf and host

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have surfed once, with a great couple (and dog) in Bangor, Maine, and have hosted a cross-country bicyclist, a North Carolina couple and their son, and a family of four from Bordeaux, France.

Interests

French, poetry, acting, teaching, vegetarianism, occasionally jogging or playing basketball, goofing off, cats and dogs, Himalayan Cataract Project, painting, auctions

• animals
• cats
• dogs
• books
• literature
• poetry
• acting
• festivals
• education
• vegetarian
• drinking
• reading
• painting
• music
• folk music
• basketball
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Shakespeare (both live and written), Baka Beyond, Ravel, John Fowles, ancient Chinese poetry, classic haiku, French movies, Celtic music, Thomas Hardy poetry, realistic painting (traditional). Life-changing books: John Fowles' "The Magus," Adam Hochschild's "King Leopold's Ghost," Kipling's "Kim."

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every day--a treat just to wake up. Did hitchhike to Alaska in 1976 (and have hitched about 99,000 miles). Shook hands with the pope in 1966. Have a lovely wife.

Teach, Learn, Share

I try to learn everything! Reading Chinese poetry in translation, always eager to talk about books and poetry and languages and international experiences and international perspectives on life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

For my current trip, I'm excited about learning as much as I can about Morocco, especially its peoples and cultures, so I'll be an attentive guest. And if I can help you do anything, I'd love to!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, Panama, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States

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