Traveling the world selling bow ties and other products handmade by communities across Lesotho. I train at risk communities to make ties from their cultural fabric, seshoeshoe, as a form of entrepreneurial development and cultural empowerment for one of the most smallest and underdeveloped nations in the world.

ABOUT ME

I love to travel, cook, run and explore. I was born in Houston, but grew up in both Houston and New Orleans. I earned my BA at Ithaca College and MSc at Universiteit van Amsterdam. I'm a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer that served in Lesotho. I started Bow Shoeshoe because I fell in love with Lesotho and want to dedicate my most productive years toward using my privileged upbringing as a middle class American to do something that creates opportunity for people who have less and deserve a chance to develop their potential.

I go back and forth between southern Africa and the United States, spending 3-4 months in each region.

PHILOSOPHY
If you're not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Currently I travel to market our work in art markets, pop up shops and through any platform available.

I return to Lesotho mid May. I'll be working music, art and cultural festivals in Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa. Also training 3 more communities, up to 120 more people to use their local resources and cultural fabric to produce an assortment of new products.

Interests

My favorite activity is to explore and get lost in walking cities. Amateur but avid photographer. I love food, and sharing my cooking with others is my greatest passion. I love listening to a good story, or a good rant. Philosophy and politics tickle my fancy. I'm liable to get lost in a great conversation or idea for hours. There's nothing better than sharing what I do and listening to what others are equally passionate about.

• arts
• writing
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• running
• walking
• politics
• traveling
• music
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything by Gore Vidal, Christopher Hitchens, Aldous Huxley, Albert Hirschman, Malcolm Gladwell and Cornel West. I love all music, but mostly discovering something new and unexpectedly resonant. Too many favorite movies. I love everything by Terrence Malick (especially Thin Red Line).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Repelled down the Guinness world record longest commercially operated abseil. A 600+ ft drop down Maletsunyane Falls, in Semonkong, Lesotho. (No longer afraid of heights!)

Teach, Learn, Share

Would love to learn any language. I am a native English speaker with 3 years training in Arabic. I'm also fluent in Sesotho and know a tiny bit of Dutch. I can teach cooking and how to tie a bow tie. I'd love to learn whatever you are passionate about.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Handcrafted bow ties, made with love! Some of the most amazing ones you'll ever encounter, each with a story behind it. Laughs, conversation, good times, and great recipes from my travels.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Mexico, Netherlands, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Lesotho, Netherlands, United States