CURRENT MISSION

To go boldly, where I can afford to go

ABOUT ME

I am easygoing with a taste for adventure. I love to hike, play cards, and have conversation. I am generally a polite and honest person who likes to solve problems. I am pretty easy to get along with. I have a wide variety of interests and like to talk with most people.

PHILOSOPHY

I want to enjoy life. I feel that everyone should be entitled to a good life, so helping others is the greatest good. That means learning as best you can in order to be productive in improving this life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My friend and I couchsurfed across the eastern part of Russia. We met some amazing people who were kind enough to invite us into their homes for a short while. It was a very positive experience, and I am encouraged to do some couchsurfing in the States.
As yet, I have not hosted anyone because I have been too busy running around myself, and living with others. I plan to host once I get established and have my own place wherever I end up.

Interests

I like mathematics, science,nature, and people. I love to learn, and I believe that you can't learn everything from a computer screen. I am an optimist who believes in the power of the human imagination to solve problems. It may sound naive, but I think that, working together, we can solve any problem. To me, traveling is a way to expand and strengthen one's knowledge of the world by experiencing different cultures and environments.

• birds
• bbq
• running
• traveling
• billiards
• hiking
• teaching
• mathematics
• science
• mountains

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The nature around Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan has left me awestruck. In one day, you can go through three very different ecosystems. First we hiked in steep, cold alpine mountains with evergreen trees and ice-covered waterfalls. Then in the foothills of the mountains is a red desert with sandstone formations, cacti and lizards. And finally, at the edge of the desert is a lake which feels like a sea.

In Montana, my friend and I had the opportunity to assist a university professor capture migratory birds of prey. We climbed to a mountain peak and set up a live pigeon connected to a string as bate. Then we would hide and wait until we saw a raptor soaring down the mountain range. We would pull the string and the pigeon would attract the raptor. The raptor would dive at the pigeon and we would spring our trap (both birds remain unhurt). Then we would take measurements, tag the bird, and feed it before sending it on its way. It was a great day that I wont forget.

There is an underground lake in Turkmenistan near Ashgabat. You drive up a dirt road which ends at the base of the mountains. There are a few small shashleek (BBQ) stands and a white large white sign. Behind the sign is a whole in the mountain which contains stairs dropping into the dark. You walk down the stairs and 55 meters below the entrance is a milky blue pool, illuminated by a few lights, which stretches into the darkness. The pool is pleasantly warm. It was a great experience, both relaxing and exciting at the same time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kyrgyzstan, United States