I was born in Santa Barbara, California and have lived in Buellton, California for almost all my life. It's a small place with a population of barely 5,000 and its biggest highlights are a pea soup restaurant and Ostrichland USA (it's a thing). I love making connections with people, spending time out in nature, and all of the little miracles that happen when you keep a flexible schedule and an open mind. My favorite thing to do is hitchhike and it has influenced my life more than anything else. The road has taught me the importance of patience, humility, gratitude, and knowing that no one owes you a thing in life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing has given me amazing experiences that will stay with me for the rest of my life. It has helped me make genuine connections with locals, get a feel for a place from the people who actually live there, and discover the true culture of wherever I am. Hosts are the key to finding the hidden gems every city has to offer and discovering aspects of local history and culture you can't find in books.

I like to try living as a local wherever I go and am open to help anyway I can (there's always a way to give back).

Don't let fear hold you back from seeing the world. Trust someone till they give you a reason not to (but also follow your instincts!).

Interests

• animals
• education
• running
• reading
• hiking
• teaching
• geography
• history
• hitchhiking
• nature
• harmonica
• wild camping

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Jazz and Classical
Movie: Dead Poets Society
Book: Jack Kerouac's On the Road.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

After graduating from university, I hitchhiked from my home town in southern California to Alaska (half by car, half by boat), got hired on as a commercial salmon fisherman, and hitchhiked home when the work was done.

Teach, Learn, Share

Chase the horizon and don't stop till you get there.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've got tons of stories and would love to hear any you have to share. Feel free to take advantage of me for English practice, too. I love giving a hand with menial labor, cleaning, building, and just helping out all around. I'll always pass up on sightseeing to live a day in my hosts's shoes. I'll do my best to leave your life (equal to or) better than when I found it. Oh, and I play the harmonica.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Australia, Canada, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States