I'd say it is hard to sum up who I am in just a few sentences, but if you asked my friends they might say I am their "reggaeton-loving, language learning, constantly traveling-the-world" friend. I am an engineer at heart and love everything science; but, I also have creative side that fuels my love for noodling on the guitar and listening to all types of music.

I have always been intrigued by the world outside the one I grew up in near Kansas City, Missouri. It wasn't until I was 19 when I got my first true taste of leaving Missouri for the outside world for more than a week or two. I moved to Valparaiso, Chile for a semester in college to study Spanish full-time and to live with mi querida familia anfitriona. From that moment forward, I could never shake this constant desire to explore new places and to meet the people that made those places so great.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Over the past ten years I have come to realize that, while there are endless breathtaking views and unique sites throughout the world, it's the connections that you make with people (local or otherwise) that have the biggest impact on your experience and perception of those places.

That's why I think the whole concept of Couchsurfing is incredible. It allows the traveler to get to know a place through the eyes of a local and to more easily facilitate those connections that make traveling so great. On the flipside it allows the host to meet all sorts of people and to revel in those same experiences while at home.

Interests

• triathlon
• politics
• chess
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• sports
• engineering
• languages
• philosophy
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite music: Hands down...reggaeton...and has been for ten years. But I also really enjoy rock, alternative, EDM, jazz.

Favorite movies: Not a big movie guy myself, but recently I have enjoyed the Dune movies. I love a classic Will Ferrell movie like Step Brothers and Anchorman. Jim Carey's Bruce Almighty was a staple as a kid.

Favorite books: only in the past few years have I gotten into reading, but I am loving it. It has been almost entirely non-fiction. I think everyone should read Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." The classic "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho was great.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Self-proclaimed "amazing"...hmmm...I would say the thing that was most impactful to me was my involvement with Engineers Without Borders as a college student and afterwards as a professional. I led teams on three separate occasions to a small village in Panama to assess the community's water supply and filtration system and to design and implement an entirely new pipeline to a new source the community had identified. I was the project manager, translator and main point of contact for our team in the community. Having the opportunity to go back multiple times and form friendships in the community was truly a gift.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My love for languages! If you're anywhere in the Americas and a few other places in the world, chances are I can speak your language and share stories in your "heart's language."

If you are into music, I would love to share notes and maybe we can show each other new music! This is one of my favorite things in the world. Also, if you have a guitar, I can promise to play you something...maybe nothing extravagant but a little tune!

At the end of the day, I would like to think I can at least share good vibes. I am respectful and considerate. I am always willing to help others whenever I can, especially if I am a guest.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Brazil, Chile, Poland