I'm a historian-in-training (interested primarily in Soviet and Post-Soviet Central Asia) and traveller currently in the process of making my way East from Hawaii. In the past I've lived in Boulder, Colorado, USA, where I lived for the first 20 years of my life. I've also put in summers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and St. Petersburg, Russia, and am also a frequent visitor to Kazakhstan. In the future I hope to see the rest of Central Asia and the former Soviet Union, East Asia, and North Africa. I love to talk to anyone and everyone possible about whatever happens to come up in whatever language we can understand.
When I'm not on the road I'm either working as a hired musician or hanging out in cafes reading books.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I joined this site in the hopes of finding people to meet all over the world! There's nothing I love more than finding friends in far-flung, unexpected places. I'm glad to meet people and help whoever is a fellow traveller as well.

Interests

• history
• russian language
• world history
• russian culture
• central asia

Music, Movies, and Books

I love Jazz, classical music, and country &western music.
My favorite books are the travel memoirs of Bruce Chatwin and Colin Thubron, and the novels of Paul Bowles and Haruki Murakami.
My favorite movie is The Last Emperor

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've was fortunate to make my living through college as a professional musician. I had the opportunity two years ago to perform in New Orleans at a jazz education conference, in front of many of the most famous musicians in the world-- a total dream.

Teach, Learn, Share

I just finished my undergraduate degree in Russian Studies and and History, topics that I always love to discuss. I can also pick up and play music with whoever wants to, and can teach. Among my other skills are proofreading, writing copy, housework, organizational duties, bread baking, some self-taught plumbing, whatever else I feel like I can help with!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I pride myself on being agreeable, helpful, empathetic, and engaged. I can share in conversation, artistic stuff, planning trips, whatever.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Russian Federation

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, United States