I am outgoing, creative, friendly, respectful, like meeting happy people and discovering new places. I own and operate restaurants in Chicago including an acclaimed wine bar/restaurant and a popular brunch spot, and also ride motorcycles and love to cook.

Current Mission

Re-energize when I can via a change of scenery, culture, food and drink, or activity.

Philosophy

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.

Couchsurfing Experience

I have couch surfed both solo and with family multiple times over the last several years and it's always been a rewarding experience. Prior to discovering the site, I had met and stayed with interesting people over the last 20+ years and feel very connected with the friendships I have made while living and traveling abroad. In addition to hosting dozens of travelers in our own home, I've also utilized Couchsurfing to meet up with locals, make new friends, and find out the best things to do when in a new city or country.

Hosting

We are happy to host, but can't plan things too far out due to hectic schedules. Ideally, we like to welcome guests as a family and hopefully find out a little about one another over a meal and bottle of wine. If our schedule permits, we also love to give a tour of Chicago to our surfers. Usually, we're busy during the days but are happy to give advice and recommendations to our surfers to help them make the most of their Chicago visit depending on what their goals are.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet and connect with visitors, fellow travelers, and locals. To hopefully share a meal, stories, culture, language, travel experiences, and keep learning.

Interests

People, food, wine, travel (both alone and with my family), photography, motorcycles, sailing, bicycling, yoga, fly fishing, live music at small venues, picnics, coaching/watching soccer, and restaurants. I ran my first 5K recently and hope to do more. As well, I am learning to play guitar (I’m not great, but having fun).

• culture
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• yoga
• running
• drinking
• flying
• motorcycles
• traveling
• music
• live music
• fishing
• sailing
• soccer
• playing guitar

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I took my brother who does not travel much and has rarely left the country to Macchu Picchu for his 40th birthday. We stayed in Cusco and explored the Sacred Valley, and then took the train to Aguas Calientes. We spent two days discovering Macchu Picchu and climbed to the top of Huayna Picchu (twice), then visited the Temple of the Moon. I highly recommend it!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico, United States

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