CURRENT MISSION

"The worst of all fears is the fear of living." An Autobiography of Teddy Roosevelt, 1913

ABOUT ME

I live and love to travel (and consider it a privilege to get to)! I enjoy meeting new people from different cultures and learning from them. I own two small travel companies and lead international wildlife photography expeditions and raft trips in 8 countries. I work hard and play hard...trying to live life to the fullest everyday. I have a zest for life and like to have fun with people. I try to drink in as many new and exotic experiences as I can. I am attracted to flavor!

I have seen a lot in life, both good and bad, and it has strongly influenced my views. I guess I would have to admit that sometimes I can be a bit crusty. That comes, in part, from having been a photojournalist and having covered a war in Central America, as well as having seen lots that goes on in this world.

From having seen such "real" things, I sometimes have a somewhat serious perspective on life, although I don't hesitate to drop everything and have fun when the opportunity presents itself! As a result of all that I have witnessed, I don't take things for granted as much anymore. I try to appreciate the small things in life, like a sunny day or a good cup of coffee or the chance to travel, for example.

I try very hard to balance this with an emphasis on the beauty and the good in life. I just see this as a very "real" perspective on life, which is to say that it includes the good and the bad of reality. My head is not "in the clouds", so to speak. So, if you are the kind of person who only likes people who are 100% positive at all times, my seriousness might rub you the wrong way. Just thought that was important to mention up front.

I think true happiness comes when we are at peace with the positive AND the negative in life, not just acting as though everything is positive all the time. To me, that isn't realistic.

Other than that..I am 6' tall. :-)

I am not particularly hip, but I am OK with it.....non smoker.

I drank cactus juice in Mexico and Chi Cha made from streamwater in the Amazon, so I expect a large parasite to crawl out of me in the next few years...;-) Hopefully not when I am on your couch!

PHILOSOPHY

"Pluck the Day, or Die Trying.." Give more than you can. When the choice is give or take, then give. And..."Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying..." (from the Shawshank Redemption)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've made some really good friends on here, some of whom I chat with on a regular basis now.

It started when I stayed in British Columbia with Nadine and Gary and had a brief but wonderful stay...the best night of sleep I had had in a month in their RV! Thanks guys!

Also stayed with Marcus in Western Belize and had a blast imbibing WAY too much mango wine and discussing philosophy...lol I have hosted a number of interesting young and old alike travelers that have shared some very unique and very different perspectives from my own, which is, of course, how we learn, right??

Interests

I love ethnic food, culture, nature, love, sunsets, beaches, kissing, jungles, poisonous organisms, weird plants, ecology, local legends, Mexican culture, exotic food, cooking, and exploring cultures.

• wildlife
• culture
• photography
• acting
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• drinking
• clubbing
• traveling
• ecology
• tourism
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite movies are Breaking Away, Motorcycle Diaries, The original Planet of the Apes series, 9 and 1/2 Weeks, A Walk in the Clouds, Mozart, The Kinks, recently Elliot Smith, Books..Neotropical Companion (back when I used to read), Field Guide to the Birds of Mexico and also Ecuador. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals (Emmons), Nikon D200 operating manual...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Was surrounded by lions, alone, on top of a Land Rover, in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. Lived in the Amazon in a bamboo hut for a year....and survived! Proud member of the Botfly Club. You'll have to ask...I keep it on my bookshelf..;)

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's see..I am a pro photographer, wilderness guide, reasonably good cook, and someone who has been lucky enough to travel a lot..and now own a travel company..so I guess I can give decent advice on how to travel.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Botswana, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ecuador, Mexico, United States

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