CURRENT MISSION

In general, to always see and experience the world with a fresh (if sometimes jet-lagged) set of eyes

More specifically, from Feb-April 2015, I am walking the Shikoku pilgrimage. I first randomly encountered the pilgrimage in 2011 when I had a layover in Matsuyama. Now, in order to do a little life reflecting and soul searching, I'm planning to walk the pilgrimage, starting at Temple #1 in Tokushima. I would like to incorporate CouchSurfing into as much of the pilgrimage as I can because I believe the local people of Shikoku are an important part of the pilgrimage.

As a side note, for the pilgrimage I have cut off all my hair so I look like a monk. So if you are hosting me you will be looking for a 175cm gaijin with a buzz cut.

I have studied Japanese for about 4 months, so I can speak a little Japanese. I apologize in advance for the many many things I will fail to say properly. Ganbatte!

ABOUT ME

I grew up in America, but left at age 21 for what was meant to be a year abroad. That year stretched to ten years abroad. In 2014, I repatriated to Oakland, California, but travel and adventure remain a huge part of my life.

PHILOSOPHY

I spent four years as an English teacher in South Korea, and two Korean words sum up my life philosophy: inyeon and jeong.

Inyeon is a philosophy of connection that believes no encounter, however small, is random. There is a meaning and purpose for each person we cross paths in life, from those we give a seat to on the subway to those we spend years with. Any brush of the sleeves is the result of the threads that exist between us and we can make of those what we will. For me, travel is about opening up fully to those connections and giving and learning as much as I can to each person I meet.

To me, jeong is inyeon's theoretical twin. It is the trust and connection that a person builds over time. This trust and connection can be with another person, a place or even a thing. Interestingly, in Korean there are multiple types of "jeong," which I can tell you more about if you are interested :)

Beyond these two words, I always strive to have (though often fall short) "beginner's eyes" and to view wherever I am as though I'm seeing it for the first time. Travel is my way to refresh my eyes, and I am always thrilled at my first walk around an unfamiliar city and the perspective I gain from meeting people in other parts of the world. I always bring back from my travels a better ability to appreciate where I have already been.

Por que estou no Couchsurfing?

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I was first introduced to CouchSurfing by a friend in Korea. I signed up and CouchSurfed for a three-month trip in South America. When I returned to Seoul, I found that the only thing better than staying with people is hosting them. In the 5 years that I've been on CouchSurfing, I have met some of my closest friends through the site. I owe a lot to CouchSurfing, and hosting or surfing, I try my best to stay open and humble to whomever crosses my path.

Interesses

writing, street food, photography, hiking, contemporary art, literature, untold histories, Buddhist philosophy, identity theories, playlist exchanges, conversations that happen over a cup of coffee

• arts
• writing
• literature
• contemporary art
• photography
• dining
• coffee
• meditation
• walking
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• surfing
• teaching
• solo travel

Músicas, Filmes e Livros

Music - Wilco, Ryan Adams, Bob Schneider, Santogold, Handsome Furs, Damien Rice, Mavis Staples, The Beatles, Courtney Barnett... I'll stop there and let you ask me if you want to know more.

Books - this is definitely a question better answered over coffee, during which I will likely quote something from either Anais Nin, Joan Didion, David Mitchell or Haruki Murakami...

Movies - The Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich

Uma Coisa Incrível que Eu Fiz

Hiking the Heaphy Trail in New Zealand was one of my favorite solo travel experiences, and CouchSurfing in Kyoto was my all-time favorite random encounter with strangers who are now close friends.

Ensine, Aprenda, Compartilhe

Learn - Japanese, meditation, the meaning of life

Teach - I teach English, so I suppose that's a good place to start. I can teach anyone, even native English speakers, how to diagram an English sentence... how useful that is, I'm not sure

Share - anything I can, but especially stories and more stories, some true, some long, tall tales.

O Que Posso Compartilhar com Anfitriões

For CS hosts, I will share whatever I can. As a Shikoku henro, I travel light, so it will be difficult for me to give material gifts. However, I will strive to do Muzainanase (the 7 ways of free service) by bringing a kind heart, kind words, and a willingness to help.

Países que Visitei

Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Viet Nam

Países em que Morei

Australia, South Korea, United States

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