I started traveling relatively young after hosting students from Spain, France, and South Korea as a kid through exchange programs. As the students went back, some of them started inviting me to spend the summers and holidays with them. As I traveled, I learned about Couchsurfing.

Although I'm originally from Minnesota, I've spent the last few years living across the US.

I'm a relaxed guy who enjoys hiking the island, trying new food, and, of course, laying around at the beach. There's nothing better than a good book and the sound of crashing waves.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new people and experience life in a nonconventional way. Ignorance is diminished through meeting others and challenging stereotypes. Oh, and locals always know the best food places.

Interests

Kayaking, hiking, cooking, and, although language isn't my strong suit, I really enjoy writing.

• writing
• cooking
• hiking
• kayaking

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Cure, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Twilight Sad, Cranberries, Led Zepplin, Nick Cave, Neil Young, Echo & the Bunnymen, Editors, White Lies

Books: AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (Miller), The Creative Habit (Tharp), An Artist at War (Browning), Eat.Pray.Love (Gilbert), The Power of Now (Tolle) Shop Class as Soul Craft (Crawford), Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Pirsig). I read mostly nonfiction and I enjoy adventure/travel biographies most.

Movies: Wild, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Cloud Atlas, The Fountain, The Time Traveler's Wife, Cashback, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. If there's popcorn, I'll watch anything.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2011, there was at a party on top of a mountain in Basque Country (Spain) and everyone was out having a good time with ska music and kalimotxo (wine/coke drink). It had been a long day, so I decided to hike down the mountain to the house I was staying at. I was only 16 then, and it was one of the first times I had felt completely alone. Walking down that mountain there was only wilderness and the few streetlights that lit the road. I arrived in town and no one was awake. It was like everyone had disappeared and I was the last man on Earth. Instead of heading into the house, I went down to the ocean and just listened to the waves for a while.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States