CURRENT MISSION

I live to experience beauty and share it with others. There is so much to learn and experience, that I know I can never do everything, but I plan to absorb as much of it as I can.

ABOUT ME

I grew up on a small family farm, and got to hang out with my older siblings, and assorted other friends and family all the time. I have had the opportunity to live in Kenya (with family) and Malaysia (study abroad) then back to Kenya for 5 years where I helped start a social enterprise and built a craft brewery. Travel and new experiences excite me more than nearly anything else. I'm always happy to meet new people and hear of their travels and experiences; I get to see a bit of the world through their eyes, and it provides ideas for my own.

PHILOSOPHY

I am astounded by the sheer amount of beauty and connection in the world (in nature, literature, music, people, and every other form) and I hope to experience as much as possible while I'm still breathing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Connection with ourselves, other humans, and beauty is pretty much the reason we're here as far as I can tell. The points of contact I have experienced around the world through travel and couchsurfing- however brief - are an important part the person I'm becoming.

I try to host whenever I am in a position to, and am a grateful recipient of others' hospitality whenever it's offered.

Interests

I enjoy being outside as much as humanly possible. My favorite activities are traveling, climbing, cycling, motorcycling, hiking, camping, canoeing, hanging out with friends, the occasional beer, and playing Ultimate and disc golf. Also reading - especially in trees.

• literature
• beauty
• dining
• beer
• reading
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• canoeing
• camping
• rock climbing
• golf
• study abroad

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

While staying with a family in northern Kenya, I hiked a nearby mountain alone. I asked my host about it and he said I would probably be fine, as long as I didn't meet a leopard or step on a cobra. No one else wanted to come, so I set out alone before dawn, passing the local shepherds with their goats and camels as they went to seek grass. I scrambled and climbed up the mountain, traversing several ecosystems as I ascended. I began in semi-arid land with acacia trees and cactus, but hiked through hardwood and evergreen forests, green pastures, and finally moss-draped brush on my way to the top. After relaxing at the top to admire the view, I chose a different route back. I ended up going down the wrong side of the mountain because of dense, impassable undergrowth, but eventually I found a ravine that led me home. I arrived just after dusk, scratched, exhausted, and elated from the adventure.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy knowledge because of the richness it adds to my experience of the world, so I have collected a basic understanding about much of nature. Most of my knowledge is focused around biology, geology, and chemistry, with experiential knowledge of many outdoor activities. I also enjoy exchanging knowledge, and am eager to add to my repertoire.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I aim for connection through whatever channels are available! I can share stories, detailed brewing knowledge, beer recommendations, organizational design concepts, poetry, adventures, cooking, natural beauty.
And I love hearing about others' path and the experiences that shaped them - or were just a lot of fun - so I've cultivated the skill of listening, and am happy to offer that too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Egypt, England, Ethiopia, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kenya, Malaysia