Hello!
My name's Jon and I'm a 28 year old male. I was born and raised in the New Jersey/NYC area, but I've lived all over the place throughout my life. Most recently I spent the last 3 years studying Music Business at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It may have taken me a little longer then some, but I'm finally a college graduate! Woo!
Music has always been a big part of my life. I first started learning saxophone when I was nine, and I picked up guitar at 17. Guitar was my instrument of study while in school as well.
I'm a big fan improvisational music such as The Grateful Dead, Phish, and The Flecktones and I love going to as many live shows as I possibly can. I particularly enjoy summer festival scene, having attended a number of festivals between 2009-2012 (before I started school again).
I was raised and educated Jewish, but in my adult years I do not practice religion. However I do enjoy a good discussion on ethics, theology, or any number of intellectual topics.
I love to crack a joke and can definitely be sarcastic at times, but deep down I always give people the benefit of the doubt. And I love meeting new people as well!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I just finished my studies at the end of August. Before I finished school I met a couple of couch surfers at a local music festival and they got me itching to travel again. I figure there's no better time for me to do it then now. My lease in Boston is up, and I left with virtually no furniture. I still have a few months left to defer my federal loan payments, and my car is in pretty good condition! I can think of no better time to travel my country and see the vastness of it up close and personal, as well as get to know it's people. Not to mention traveling around this way could be a good opportunity to get to know local job markets up close and personal.

I hope you'll consider giving me a place to stay as I travel along!

So the nature of my trip is one of spontaneity and going with the flow. As such I'm afraid many of my requests may be last minute. I apologize for the sudden imposition in those cases.

Music, Movies, and Books

Grateful Dead, Phish, Big Lebowski, Dragonriders of Pern Series, Wheel of Time, Kingkiller Chronicles, Redwall Abbey!, Bill Monroe, Soulive, Vulfpeck, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, Dazed and Confused, etc...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I dropped out of high school the summer before my senior year, after turning 18. I took a test for my GED and then 2 days later I was on a plane to Israel, where I lived for the year. I spent 2 months living in the southern desert, by the borders of Egypt and Jordan, where I worked in a kitchen at a kibbutz (socialist community). Then I spent a month traveling around Israel visiting various friends that were all in the country on a 'gap year' program, before starting a 5 month language program on another kibbutz in the north of the country by Haifa. This was by far the best part of my trip. I spent 3 days in classes learning Hebrew and 3 days working on a zoo taking care of some sweet (and a few vicious) animals. I became quite proficient in the language and was able to immerse myself in Israeli culture.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If a host is musically inclined I would gladly play them some music! I have my guitar with me, and I can even attempt to sing you a song. I'll even take requests!

I'm not a very accomplished cook, but I am a good assistant cook, and I would gladly help out by buying groceries for dinner!

I also like to think I'm good company. I like waxing philosophical and whatnot.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States