CURRENT MISSION

Finish the three books I promised to finish writing by December, see an active volcano in Costa Rica (done), learn to SCUBA dive (failed), learn to surf(learned to Boogey Board instead and LOVE it)

ABOUT ME

Sorry for the low response rate! I always forget to change my status to "traveling" when I'm out of town and can't host. When I can host, I respond right away!

I've travelled to Europe and Mexico and lived in Costa Rica. In Denver now and traveling all the time.

PHILOSOPHY

Open-mindedness, acceptance, appreciation --- they are the keys to cultural understanding and, ultimately peace. Our attachment to our own perspective limits us. My goal is to keep practicing, keep being mindful, keep being present, so that it becomes as effortless as breathing.

If you are traveling internationally, this is a safe haven. If you are a racist or mysogynist or are xenophobic or if you live in the US and somehow overrode all logic and intelligence tests and were able to vote a white supremacist into power, this is not the right choice of a host for you. No soup for you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My Aunt is a full-time surfer. She retired and left to explore the world a couple of years ago and is in Montenegro now. I have hosted since she left to try to even out the balance.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A family from Korea, college students from Texas, pro bicyclists from Florida... it's been fun. I surfed from San Jose to Tamarindo in Costa Rica. I ate the best meal of my life with a pro chef couch surfer from Argentina in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. I'm just moved to Denver.

Interests

Mostly I'm interested in languages and cultures. Looking for interesting ideas for books, too, so... you should know that all of my experiences become fodder for future fiction.

• writing
• books
• traveling
• business
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Right now I'm reading Los Cuatro Acuerdos again because I'm teaching an on-line class. I'm a bibliophile with an unmanaged book addiction. Music... I like live music. At home we knocked out the walls in the house to make one big room so that we could host house concerts. My going away party before moving to Costa Rica was a band in the back yard and about 100 people drinking a bottle of Scotch I brought back from my last trip to Europe and singing along.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been on Couchsurfing for about 10 years as a host and a traveller. I got off when a couch surfer from England stayed with me and stole my credit cards during his 3 day visit. He was arrested and pled guilty, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm coming back.... but I'll be sleeping on top of my wallet.

Teach, Learn, Share

I learned "Tico directions" using only landmarks and meters and how to live in "Tico time", in which "ahorita" can mean anything between 30 minutes from now and 3 days from now.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Mexico, United States

•