CURRENT MISSION

Experience the world, eat great food, see beautiful things, and meet all sorts of people.

ABOUT ME

I'm from the US, where I work as a data analyst in the medical technology industry. In college, I studied Geography and the Middle East. I have a deep love and respect for the people, cultures, languages, religions, history, and food of the Middle East. I feel it is my life's purpose to help bring stability and peace to the region, in my own small way.

I love to laugh, and if you make me laugh I'll love you forever! I love to listen to people and am up to discuss anything candidly and with an open mind.

Also, FOOD!!! Trying new foods is one of my favorite things to do, especially when traveling to a new place. I would much rather spend my money on great, healthy food that I enjoy than on anything like clothes, shoes, electronics, or anything else that will just clutter my house and mind. But, in my ideal life, I would grow, raise, and produce every single thing that I eat and drink--not just veggies and fruits, but also grains, nuts, honey, animals, beer, and even water. Someday...

PHILOSOPHY

Open your eyes and see for yourself what's really there, don't just accept what you're told to see, think, and believe. Consider the perspective of the person you've been taught is your enemy.

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.
- Mark Twain, Innocents Abroad

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Since I'm unable to host at the moment, I'm trying to do my part by spreading the word on CS.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My Couchsurfing experience has been 100% positive. I am in awe of the kindness that people all over the world show complete strangers. Unlike a hotel or hostel, Couchsurfing allows you to truly enter the life and culture of your host and their home nation. Instead of exchanging money, you exchange food, experiences, stories, etc...the stuff that makes life great!

Interests

Languages, the Middle East, cities and how they grow, balancing environmental concerns with personal responsibility and economic prosperity, politics, music, the banjo, hydrangea flowers, cats, laughing, walking, climbing, and, of course, delicious food!

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Wu Tang Clan (for the children), Nas, Sly and the Family Stone, Miles Davis, Ravi Shankar, classical music.

Books: Gone with the Wind, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Steps Toward Inner Peace.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Climbed to the top of Mt. Guadalupe, the tallest point in Texas, and saw the curve of the Earth.

Anytime I look up at the stars on a clear night in the middle of nowhere, I am awestruck by how small I am and how unimaginably, incomprehensibly massive existence is.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cayman Islands, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, Italy, United States