Hello, I'm Jake from Long Beach in Los Angeles County, California! I graduated from university last May with a degree in English Creative Writing and am taking a gap year before graduate school to travel the world. It has been a life long dream to visit Europe and after working two jobs this summer I booked a two month backpacking voyage! I am an avid guitar player and voracious reader. In addition to my wanderlust, the political climate is so volatile in America at the moment I needed to get out to keep my mind at ease.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm couch surfing because two of my closest friends on separate trips to Europe used and raved about their memorable experiences they had while using the service. In addition to staying with hosts, one of the aforementioned friends hosted guests back home in Long Beach once he returned to The States and I had the privilege of co-tour guiding with his guests. It was such a fulfilling encounter to share Los Angeles with travelers. Now I want to be a part of the couch surfing community.

Interests

• culture
• writing
• poetry
• architecture
• music festivals
• partying
• drinking
• politics
• movies
• reading
• guitar
• hiking
• skiing
• nature

Music, Movies, and Books

It is nearly impossible to answer this question considering the vital importance these mediums mean to me.
As far as music, my taste is eclectic:
Tame Impala, Jimi Hendrix, Father John Misty, anything Dan Auerbach touches (solo material, The Black Keys, The Arcs), anything Jack White is involved with (The White Stripes, solo material), Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, White Denim, Nas, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Muddy Waters, MGMT, The Meters, Mac DeMarco, Dr. Dre, Madlib, Frank Ocean, Disclosure, Bob Dylan.

I'll list directors for Movies: Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, The Cohen Brothers, Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Spike Lee, Darren Arnovsky, Stanley Kubrick, Christopher Nolan

For books i'll list authors:
Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, Terrance Hayes, Allen Ginsberg, Thomas Pynchon, James Baldwin, David Sedaris, Raymond Carver

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In the summer of 2016 I backpacked and camped twelve miles within the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation for eight days and it was a revelation. To be that secluded from society with only the bare essentials you could manage to carry that distance on your back in 100 degree heat added an entirely new perspective on the consumerism culture I live in as an American. More importantly however, was the utter beauty of the untainted and serene canyon landscape. Three 100 foot plus waterfalls pumping turquoise clear water due to the sedimentary rock run through the reservation; at night there were more stars than I'd ever seen before.

Teach, Learn, Share

I want to learn as much as I can while I am here. While I am in hostels I intend to go on any sort of tour offered and with hosts I am willing to absorb whatever it is they feel necessary to fully grasp their culture. I can teach my hosts about the American ethos - authors, films, culture, politics, arts - as well as guitar if they are willing. And together I feel we can exchange and share our on nuanced perspectives on life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A friend more than anything! A buddy willing to partake in any sort of activity: hiking, beach going, surfing, skiing, drinking, partying, discussion etc. I can’t cook much but am more than willing to help with preparation and do dishes. I also play guitar and can help with lessons!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Puerto Rico, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States