CURRENT MISSION

I've been on CS since 2006. I've surfed, I've hosted, I've taken breaks from both and returned. I live about half the year in Maui and and the rest of the year traveling and living overseas.

What follows was mostly written in 2008 after my first big trip, you'll have ot meet me to find out.

ABOUT ME

In 2006 having worked a good hard decade as a Civil Engineer and dreaming of an extended trip that wasn't at all compatible with my career I decided my life was more important than my career... so I quit, sold my home and set out traveling. It was, and still is somewhat open ended. I never say never, so who know, maybe someday I will go back to the corporate world... but probably not.

Those travels started with a coast to coast road trip of North America that lasted several months followed by 11 months in Asia (Thailand, Laos, India, Nepal, Tibet and China). It was an amazing and life evolving experience in which the greatest experience was learning that the daydream vision I'd always had of "how life could be" could actually be made real.

People want specifics and I could never list them all, but here are a few of highlights from travel you might want to ask me about: I learned to spin poi with fire (even performed in a show for charity), I taught English in Lhasa by day and danced my ass off in night clubs nearly every weekend until 3am (yes dance clubs in Lhasa, Tibet). I tutored Tibetan monks in Dharamsala India and helped, by white water raft, evacuate the child survivors of a car accident that killed their parents when their car literally flew off a cliff and into the Ganges. Twice in Nepal I legitimately thought I was going to die first trapped underwater while white water kayaking and weeks later, sort of lost, while solo trekking alone at over 4000m. Oh and how could I forget I started it all the first week in Asia riding elephants in a parade in Thailand... and that's just what I DID in the first year, I could go on for days about all the people I met!

However, I'm really often more of a listener than a story teller unless someone asks. I'd love to hear your stories... what you like to do? what is your life all about? what do you want it to be about?

PHILOSOPHY

Friends and the time spent with them are the only priceless things in this world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been a member a long time... I surfed some (less than I should), answer questions a lot about all sorts places I've traveled or lived and try to host whenever I can.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first couch surfing experience was amazingly great (Thank You Patrick Crossman) and the second one sealed the deal (Thank you Dali). I've been hooked ever since. Each experience I've had with the CS community has been unique and wonderful.

Interests

Everything... It's changing all the time, travel feeds me, nourishes me, and every new day brings new interests.

• dancing
• clubbing
• technology
• traveling
• kayaking
• surfing
• boxing
• engineering

Music, Movies, and Books

Some travel related favs: Tales of a Female Nomad, Shantaram, Kafka on the Shore, The Tao of Poo, Kite Runner, Sex lives of Cannibals, The Secret of Shambala, The Four Hour Work Week, How to Live what you Love, Honeymoon with my Brother, Avoiding Prison and other Noble Vacation Goals...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Backpacked around Europe for a month in 1996, but that just a prelude to the last few years. While in Asia I: Chanted at sunrise with monks at Wat Doi Suthep, Nearly drowned white water kayaking in Nepal, Nearly died of AMS and dehydration trekking in Nepal (I really loved Nepal! Seriously there are good stories and explanations behind the near death stuff), Tutored Tibetan monks in Dhramashala in English (they've ALL come to the US, I'm soooo proud), Taught English to orphans, teenagers and adults in Lhasa, Tibet, rode elephants in parade in Thailand, Spun fire poi for charity in a show in Thailand...

So the most amazing thing I've done really is discovered that living outside the box of conventional wisdom is possible.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know some stuff of which I'm happy to share and I love learning new things so I can share those things with others... there are too many to list... I'm one of those people that will almost always say yes when someone invites me to try something new and I'm always excited to share whatever I'm doing or learning about with anyone that expresses interest in it.

I will add that I've fixed enough computers and networks for surfers and hosts that it's worth mentioning.... if you have tech needs let me know, I'll do what I can.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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