Essentially a professional adventurer and inquirer. I write books and magazine stories about people trying to find purchase on the changing landscapes in which they live, whether that's Congo, the United States, Uruguay, Israel, or elsewhere. I love change. I love the open road. I love Abraham Lincoln's writings. I love coming home to my AeroPress. I love finding neatness, beauty, and pride in homes in exceptionally marginalized regions where we might not expect it. I love people who like to tell their stories. I love cowboy boots. I play with strangers.

ABOUT ME

My suitcase always disgorges interesting coffee, foods. I love to play music on my mandolin -- but only if it's wanted!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've received so much incredible hospitality in so many places and wanted to give a bit back. The amount of travel I put into my stories is also often not fully commensurate with the pay, so I rely on others' grace and generosity.

Interests

• books
• poetry
• beauty
• cocktails
• coffee
• traveling
• music
• adventure races
• sports
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Jan Garbarek, Ismael Lo, Thomas Tallis, Kyle Shepherd, Jeff Buckley, Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, bluegrass. Tom Wolfe, Amos Oz, Anne Fadiman, John Donne, Tolstoy, George Packer.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Caught a lift from the central Congo Republic to the coast with a pair of French miners and a pink buffalo (these are real).

Teach, Learn, Share

You're interested in history, foreign cultures, poetry, real-life issues of messy morality and justice, adventure sports, or anything really, we can talk.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A great cocktail if I have my car, which has a bar in the boot! A song on the mandolin, an ear for a story, a helping hand at the stove.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Congo, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Palestine, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Kenya, South Africa, United States