CURRENT MISSION

Exploring Albania

ABOUT ME

I'm an American in Tirana, here just for nine months as I research Albanian national identity. (October - July) Before this I lived in a small town in Macedonia, right on the Albanian border, Dibra e madhe." I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Macedonia and I'm a Fulbright student in Albania.

Other than that? I like to cook, I like to eat, I like to read. I love this region and am having a hard time figuring out what I'll do when I don't live here anymore.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now, I'm here just as a host. In July I'm planning to begin a trip around Europe (first hitting up E. Europe, then working west till I get to England), and I'm hoping to find some couches and fellow travelers for that trip.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've heard great things from my Peace Corps friends who have been couchsurfing hosts. Other than that, little experience other than the huge number of sofas I've slept on over the past few years. (Can I call that "informal" couchsurfing? you know, couches I've found not on the internet?)

Interests

Reading, writing, good coffee, good beer

• writing
• cooking
• beer
• coffee
• reading
• rock climbing
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm always reading, so hard to sum that up into a list. Vladimir Nabokov and Charles Portis are a couple of my favorite authors.

Music? Iggy Pop, The National, Pavement, Silver Jews, and on and on

I've turned into more of a TV person than a movie person - Breaking Bad, The Wire and Friday Night Lights being my current faves

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Gosh, I feel like most of my amazing moments are marred by me remembering that I'm afraid of heights or mildly claustrophic. Probably my favorite moment (in hindsight, mind you) was climbing up this amazing natural stone bridge in the Wadi Rum, then freezing (and having to be literally pulled down the rock) when I realized how high up I was.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, I guess I can tell you everything you never wanted to know about the Peace Corps, or Vladimir Nabokov.

Countries I’ve Visited

Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Mexico, Montenegro

Countries I’ve Lived In

Albania, Macedonia, United Kingdom, United States