TRAVEL UPDATE...I WILL BE IN:
- VIETNAM, 25 AUG - 24 SEPT
- HONG KONG, 24 SEPT - 26 OCT
- MACAU, 26 OCT - 29 OCT
- SOUTHERN CHINA, 29 OCT - APPROX. 20 NOV

My name is Joe. Almost two years ago I made the completely insane decision to walk away from my life at home. Friends, family, familiarity, future. Everything.

It took almost another year and a few more trips before I could follow through on the decision, but in September 2014 I flew to Thailand on a one way ticket and I haven't looked back. Since then, I have been to more places and had more incredible experiences than I can begin to list. Some days I feel crazy. And some days I feel like the sanest person alive. But not a day goes by where I don't feel fortunate for the opportunity to live a life I truly love.

I don't have a set itinerary.
I don't have expectations about what any of this should be like.
I left all that kind of thinking when I left New York.
I just want to meet you.

I'm forever working on completing this (the profile and my life) so check back for updates. In the meantime, if you have any questions about me, NYC, Bangkok, anywhere or anything else or you're interested in meeting, then please don't hesitate to get in touch. And if not, happy surfing!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because the best experiences in life are rarely had sitting by a hotel pool.

I am exploring, not vacationing. I am living my life, not taking a break from it.

I want to see your home city or town or village through YOUR eyes, not Lonely Planet's.

Interests

The remote past. The distant future. How the world works...from the physics of the universe to the way a flower blooms to the reason there is poverty or the way that highways are built. The law. Society, politics, government, culture, religion. Questions.

Food. Puppies. Travel. Cars. Interior design. Art. Music. Beauty.

Yoga (mostly Ashtanga). SCUBA (PADI Advanced Open Water Diver).

• arts
• culture
• design
• interior design
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• flowers
• politics
• traveling
• billiards
• cars
• music
• surfing
• scuba diving
• law
• physics
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: The Killers, Vampire Weekend, MGMT, The Carpenters, Muse, Bloc Party, Rilo Kiley, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Christina Aguilera (yes, it takes me back, seriously stop judging!), Bjork, Amy Winehouse, Mumford and Sons, Owl City, Robyn, and Van Cliburn.

MOVIES: Match point, Curse of the Golden Flower, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sphere, Battle Royale, Interview with a Vampire, The Goonies...

BOOKS: Eros and Civilization, 1984, The Painted Bird, The Handmaid's Tale, Midnight's Children, The Giver, Brave New World, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Odyssey, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, L'Inferno, Everything is Illuminated, and assorted Dr. Seuss.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In June 2014 I went open water SCUBA diving with sharks. AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!

For a guy who spent his childhood terrified of the ocean and only started diving in order to overcome that fear, this was a major life moment for me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have an American law degree and a English-teaching certification from Cambridge University. And still I have met people living in remote mountain villages who are way, way smarter than I. I don't presume to know how the learning and sharing will occur. But I know that it will if we let it.

Let's start with a conversation and see where things go.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am a rather outgoing person and would first and foremost love to share stories and experiences. The appeal of this whole process is getting to meet someone whose path I might never otherwise cross. What are your passions and dreams? Favorite memories? Scariest travel experience? Why do you travel? What do you want to know about who I am?

As touched on above, I also bring a fair amount of personal skills and interests from which some hosts might benefit. If you're studying US law or politics I might be helpful to you. Or you might want to practice your English. I'm moderately well traveled and always down to talk and trade tips on various destinations, especially those off the beaten path.

If nothing else, I'm Italian-American and my mom taught me to cook so there's always delicious, authentic pasta in it for you!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Laos, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, Netherlands, Thailand, United States