CURRENT MISSION

The eternal pursuit of knowledge through experience

ABOUT ME

Hey everyone, I am a development professional/traveler who has spent the last many years falling madly in love with the open road.

My quest is to see, experience and understand the world I live in ... immerse myself in every culture, understand every walk of life.

Couchsurfing has changed EVERYTHING about the way I travel... it has given me an unwaivering faith in the goodwill of human kind! With couchsurfing I have traveled all over South America and Mexico, as well as parts of Australia and the United States. Couchsuring has brought me from East to West of my home country, Canada... offering me an incredible experience to learn about my home and culture first-hand.

When I am not on the road, I live in Kitchener, Ontario, ... a quaint little town in the middle of Canada that hardly makes it on the tourist map. If you DO choose to visit however, especially in October, you will be greeted by an open and welcoming host (me) who will take you to the best Octoberfest festivities you will find anywhere short of Germany!

Im a pretty easy going individual who can take as much delight in having a conversation over coffee as in going to a party. I love to make friends with my cs hosts!

I am currently living in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia working on a local sustainable economic development project here. Afterwards... I will see where the wind takes me! I am always open to meeting couchsurfers and getting involved in cs communities everywhere I go... so don't hesitate to send me a message!

PHILOSOPHY

"Todas las guerras son guerras civiles, porque todos los hombres son hermanos."
- François Fenelon

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As a traveler, I am always eager to participate in the cycle of giving that is couchsurfing! When I'm on the road... I try to couchsurf as much as possible, meet as many cs-ers as I can, and really take the time to genuinely connect with my cs hosts. As well, when I'm not traveling, my door is always open to fellow travelers! I am most definitely willing open up my house to anyone who comes my way!

Thus far, more than anything it has been the kindness and generosity of people I've met that have made my travels possible! It's only fair that I keep the karmatic cycle going and help out other travelers, when I am able to.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfing... couchsurfing has made my travels possible! How many times have I raised a glass to couchsurfing? Oh many hehehe! I just came back from almost a solid year of traveling.. across Australia and parts of South America. Sydney was the first time I had stayed with a couchsurfer (and Thank you again, Lucy! For making my first cs experience so fantastic) and she alleviated all of my doubts about the network. She made me feel so welcome in her home that I immediately fell in love with the concepts behind cs. I then went on to backpack South America with a friend, almost entirely without money, I might add... and couchsurfing made it possible. We traveled from place to place, staying with csers along the way, and what an experience! It made the whole thing so much more real... we met the locals, integrated ourselves into the culture, made friends we will keep for life...

Interests

Life, the universe and everything :) Traveling, writing, reading, thinking, dreaming, nature, Calle 13, extreme sports, global affairs, politics, economics, responsible consumption, universal human rights, corporate/political transparency ...and everything CIRCUS. I'm an aerial silk artist and in love with the art.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• human rights
• coffee
• yoga
• partying
• clothing
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• backpacking
• sports
• extreme sports
• agriculture
• economics

Music, Movies, and Books

Naked Economics (Charles Wheelan)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It was nearing dark... my companion and I had just traveled up along the westcoast of Uruguay and crossed the border into Argentina. We were making it up as we went... were almost entirely without money... we were.. wandering around this time little Argentian city, wondering where to go from there.... where to spend the cold night. This place was so small, even couchsurfing didn't reach there... and low and behold... the universe smiled upon us.. or maybe it was... good human will? I wonder...
So we were sitting in the bus terminal, asking around for map to figure out our next destination when an Argentian man came up to us.. clad in dirty clothes and multicoloured beads. He made his living selling handmade jewelery on the riverbank, he told us. He was just returning home from work.
And after a good 10 minute conversation with him, over life and the universe and travel... he opened up his house to us, taking us in for the night. And he took us in and offered us everything he had- a mattress on the floor of his house (a one room structure, made of thin wood, without insulation or electricity), cooked us dinner (all he had- pasta with tomato sauce), shared smokes with us, told us stories, even performed a miming theatre act for us and gave us a handmade pipe as a farewell gift, before sending us off in the morning. He had nothing, yet he was willing to share everything... and asked for nothing in return. I will remember him always, as someone who really understood what life was about....

Teach, Learn, Share

Spanish, aerial silks, a little acro-yoga. I'm happy to offer it all to the Couchsurfing University.. I am also more than open to exchanging minds for a little and offer up any knowledge or insights I've encountered in life's journey....

•