As a traveling guest, I'm clean, friendly, respectful, flexible, and pretty low maintenance. I'm a mellow guy and open to all kinds of people, places, and experiences. I love the spectrum of humanity. I enjoy talking and I get energized being around people.

My name is Joel David Velasco. I grew up in the Bay Area in CA and currently live in Bainbridge Island, WA with my wife, Anna. Growing up, my family would road trip to Tijuana every summer to visit our family. My first taste of travel on my own was in grade school when I visited Australia and New Zealand as a student ambassador. Since then, and after I discovered rock climbing, I've incorporated both into my life, now traveling mostly in the US and mostly to rock climb.

I've worked in the indoor climbing industry for about 8 years as a Youth Coach and Program Manager. I studied Environmental Studies at university and try to incorporate that knowledge in every aspect of my life (though international travel is definitely counter to that). I'm an empathetic person and open to all walks of life. I love adventure and new experiences. I like to leave most things unplanned to see what doors might open along the way. I love live music and good food. I eat as healthy and responsibly as I can unless I'm traveling and sampling the local cuisine, of course! I like to draw. I dabble in guitar. I love using public transportation and using my feet or a bicycle to get places. I like to get outside

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love new places and experiences. They make me feel alive. My favorite part of traveling is connecting with people. I travel to see new places and the diversity in art, architecture, history, language, music, and food in the world, but the most meaningful and memorable experiences I've had come from finding connection with people and our commonalities. Couchsurfing and home stays allow me to more closely experience real life in a place. It also saves money. When we have enough to share it makes sense to help others than to try to make it alone. I find it comes back around.

Interests

I try to rock climb wherever I go. I love climbing on new rock in new areas and checking out new climbing gyms and what the climbing community looks like in other cities and other countries.

I like to explore the history of a city and the parts that are old. I like going outside and hiking, trail running, and jumping in the water. I like discovering the natural wonders of a place as well as the human elements that make it unique.

I like learning about languages and the different ways we can express things in different languages and what they have in common.

"The limits of my language are the limits of my universe" -Goethe

• graphic design
• running
• reading
• live music
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• rock climbing
• history
• languages
• travel
• art
• films
• food
• national parks
• mushrooms
• climbing
• trees
• environmentalism
• redwoods

Music, Movies, and Books

I love discovering new music of all kinds. If you have any recommendations for me or know of great places to see live, local music, let me know! My favorite thing is listening to music and learning about the place it was made. What were the artists feeling and what in their life and the place they lived and came from contributed to their art. I love the documentary series, Sonic Highways. Have you seen it?

I mostly like reading non-fiction of all subjects, especially environmentalism. I like topics like psychology, history, and economics but wouldn't call myself an expert on anything because there's so much to know! I also enjoy fantasy fiction but mostly by recommendation.

I keep a running list of new books and music recommendations so tell me what's good and what you like!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I try to go climbing in a climbing gym and/or outdoors whenever I travel. I'd love to take you out with me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Spain, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States