CURRENT MISSION

To travel the world, gathering stories and art

ABOUT ME

-That I write character-driven fiction.
-That I'm queer.
-That I love coffee and dark chocolate.
-That brilliance, knowledge, and art leave me enamored.
-That on my desk sit little clay houses from all over Europe.

PHILOSOPHY

To read and be read. To host, to meet well-read and experienced travelers even as I wander.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd love to meet new people, art lovers, writers, and avid readers, in particular. There's nothing like having a conversation with a local about the art and literature of their town.
I would also be happy to host. I live in Northampton, MA. I know the cultural scene and the local art exhibitions well and will be happy to show you around!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Beginning this June, when several generous hosts have agreed to meet me and share their living space with me as I travel through Europe!

Interests

I love reading fiction and watching international cinema (particularly films made in Iran, France, Russia, and Germany).
Of the books that I read recently, "The Wilderness" and all the books Jose Sramago and Kafka have influenced me.

• arts
• writing
• books
• literature
• chocolate
• coffee
• movies
• reading
• traveling

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: the works of John Banville, Orhan Pamuk, Thomas Mann, Sontag, Simon Schama, and W. G. Sebald among others. I love magic realism and folk stories as well.
Movies: by Tarkovsky (esp. Noshtalgia), Bergman (esp. Seventh Seal), Kieślowski (esp. Blue)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- When I first watched a Tarkovsky film.
- When I first read a Banville novel
(my writing was not the same. Nor my worldview)
- When I first picked up a camera
- When I first started traveling
(the words 'place' and 'landscape' took on a new dimension in my imagination).

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach fiction writing. Craft tools that will help you translate your ideas into stories on paper. I teach English, so any English writing skills as well that you're keen on learning. I collect Indian art and I am happy to exchange notes with enthusiasts of Western art, particularly classical western art.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Ireland, United States