Hello, my name is Bob. I am a lover of life with many interests. I recently graduated from West Virginia University with my Masters Degree in Plant Pathology. This is the study of diseases that affect plants. My research was on preventing and studying the biological interaction of an invasive insect pest and a pathogenic fungus in organic tomato production. The process was long and difficult but I am very happy to have published my thesis and graduated. I am now on my first tour of Europe. I brought my guitar, set of harmonicas, set of foot tambourines, and I am busking to pay my way.
I also have a passion for rock climbing. I was a rock climbing guide in the New River Gorge in Southern West Virginia for 4 years, and climbed in Morgantown, WV for an additional 3 years.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am a travelling artist. I want to immerse myself in the places I go. I love to learn about new places from people who have lived there. I am always willing to work, clean, or teach in exchange for hospitality.

Interests

Music, Organic Agriculture, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Kayaking, Whitewater, Flow Arts, Fire Spinning (poi), New Experiences, Camping/Backpacking, Good Karma.

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown, Sublime, Phish, Bob Dylan, Rising Appalachia, Beats Antique, Radio Citizen.

Books ( I'm listing these first as I find the, more important): Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, Walden, Brave New World, Into the Wild, Dharma Bums.

Movies: Food Inc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Surviving 7 years of college

Teach, Learn, Share

In the USA 98% of the population doesn't grow food. This means 2% of the population grows food for everyone else. This has led to an increasingly mechanized and polluting system of agriculture. It is my belief that this system can only be changed if all people take more and more responsibility for growing their own food. I have worked in agriculture for 5 years and have my masters degree from one of the first schools of agriculture established in the United States. I am happy to share my knowledge with hosts, and am always ready to learn from others with experiences different from my own.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Music, Love, patience, and kindness. Manual Labor of all kinds, especially gardening and farm work, my cooking, doing the dishes, a portion of money I make busking, guitar lessons, harmonica lessons, slackline lessons (a 2.5cm tightrope, i have one with me and can set up in your backyard or other places where trees are), poi lessons (a spinning art from New Zealand, I have a glow and fire set I'm picking up in Marseille. check it out on youtube or homeofpoi.com), a rock climbing belay (I have no rope but I brought my harness and shoes, I was a rock climbing guide for 4 years in west virginia, so I am very safe).

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States