Residence in Germany, but currently based in Porto Novo (Benin) where I'm researching land degradation and the transhumant herders who move through the country each year. My free time is for learning languages (now French), trying to be "in the moment" by socializing with the people 'here' (wherever that may be) and, and maintaining some friendships that span the world. I realize I've been profoundly impacted by a number of friends and acquaintances who have drastically changed me by their down-to-earth, higher-purpose, optimistic, humanitarian, ecological-minded, solidarity-driven, and selfless attitudes, viewpoints, values, personalities, and passions. Partly to thank for my exposure to these life-altering characters is the privilege of being able to travel. Living in Africa, Europe and North America have formed me.

Personally, I pride myself on my independence as well as my open-mindedness, but this is sounding too much like a CV.... hmmm... I have respect for all religions. I wish we could get rid of the walls that divide up humanity, but I hope we'll be able to do so while conserving our rich cultures and those traditions which are central to who we are. By meeting people and learning their beliefs, I am always seeing new ways in which we are all the same.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is really short; because of this, success favors proactive-minded risk-takers. So, risks are okay.

Sharing a roof, a meal, or even a drink make for a good day.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Joined in 2011 before a trip to Italy. So far I've enjoyed the CS gatherings (at restaurants/bars), several "out for a coffee" meetups, and hosting a surfer in Malawi. Every time I meet incredible, independent-minded people with diverse backgrounds, passions, and philosophies.

Interests

Sustainable agriculture/ Agro-ecology/ Organic Farming / development/ anything Africa / history / current issues / cooking / wine-drinking
Sports...ultimate frisbee, mountain biking, tennis, beach volleyball

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: folk rock, balkan, afro-beats, jazz and bach and vivaldi.
Movies: stuff with suspense (The Departed), the epics (V for Vendetta, LoTR), and the thought-provoking (Bella), and Wes Anderson films (for their absurdity)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Larger-than-life stalactites/mites in New Mexico. A coral reef in Key Largo. Two tiny children in Guatemala carrying stacks of firewood twice as large as their bodies. Roasting marshmallows over an active volcano. Pluff mud on the South Carolina coast. A naked old man from a fishing village in Ghana throwing out a cast net and pulling in supper. 15-foot ocean waves. An eco-village where un-related people live harmoniously as one big family. Dueling pianos in Kentucky. Elephants in Malawi walking single-file, trunks linked with the next one's tail.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think I make the best pasta arrabiata ("angry" pasta, meaning spicy). I'll show you.

I (try to) improvise on the trumpet. If you're interested, we can jam.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Tanzania, Togo, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Benin, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Malawi, United States

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