CURRENT MISSION

I am currently in Peru. Celendin Peru in the state of Cajamarca to be precise. I'm thinking about going to Cuzco in a week, but I'm not sure, yet. There is supposed to be a "parro" here and I may not be able to travel for a while. Life is interesting here

ABOUT ME

I am in Peru teaching English in a town in the mountains of the state of Cajamarca. I want to see more of Peru soon, but it depends on the protests against the mines here as well. Things are definitely interesting here ;) This time around I am also writing a book on my interesting travels. Well, so far I think they are all very interesting. My friends made a few similar comments on Facebook, but they may just be humoring me. I taught basic Spanish when I lived in the US before this stint. I mainly lived in Texas but I have lived and/or traveled to many other places throughout my life. My best language is English, but I can get along in Dutch and Spanish fairly well. My Dutch is definitely better, but I am improving my Spanish here. My German has become very rusty, meaning I can barely hold a conversation! My brothers and parents live in Texas, but the rest of my family live mainly in the Netherlands. I visit them whenever I can, but that usually depends on my funds. After my time here in Peru I hope to visit a friend in Santiago Chile for a little while before spending a good amount of time in New Zealand. After that trip I hope to reunite with my family in Texas close to the holidays. These are my plans so far, but from experience, I am not going to bet on them not changing!

PHILOSOPHY

Why do I live my life? Wow, that is a very deep question! I believe in Jesus and I hope to model his teachings although I fall short constantly. I hope to make life more comfortable for my brothers and parents when I get to a point where I can actually settle down. I really want to see the world and experience things before I do settle down, because I'm afraid I would look back and regret not having traveled and seen those things.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I hope to travel throughout Peru, briefly Chili, and then I hope to be off to New Zealand.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've only couchsurfed when in between jobs, countries, and visas. But those experiences were shared with people I know: friends, family, or acquaintances of some sort.

Interests

I love to read. I'm currently writing a book (although some procrastination is involved). I watch movies whenever possible. I'm not a fan of the TV, because it "rips my life away." I'm trying to improve my Spanish while in Peru and I like observing people.

• writing
• books
• modeling
• movies
• tv
• traveling
• drums
• tourism
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I read many types of books and I watch almost any type of movie. I'm more partial to horror movies (not slasher), and movies which make you think. I'm not a big fan of romantic movies, although there are several out there which have changed my mind a few times. I mainly listen to alternative rock music, but like to hear different types of music including classical, country, and Bluegrass.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I am in Peru right now, which is a big deal for me and my family and group of friends! I recently crossed a rusty, rickety bridge made of welded-together oil drums over a large chasm... I am very afraid of heights and when your new friend/guide asks you if you have any heart problems or are afraid of heights, you know you're in for something intersting!

Teach, Learn, Share

I know many things, but as I go through life I learn I know less than I thought. I think if we talked for a while we could learn something, even if it's something small, from each other. I learn something new everyday.