I'm a vagabond. I grew up in Germany where I went to school for linguistics and worked as an advertising creative before realizing that advertising is evil and manipulative. I quit everything and moved to the US. Not really knowing what to do with myself, I wrote a novel and started to work on traditionally rigged sailing vessels, also known as tall ships. While doing that, I developed the idea to try and hitchhike around the globe on small sailboats. I made it across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Since then, I've mostly worked as a tall ship sailor, tall ship rigger, and designer and builder of treehouses.

Last winter, I bought my own sailboat to sail around the world with. I obviously had to make many compromises because I can't afford everything I'd like to have, but I still love my boat.

I'm pretty easy-going. I like to think of myself as funny, but I'd leave that up to your judgment. I don't like superficiality. I like to meet interesting people.

Find me on Instagram if you want to see more photos. the handle is @schwimmdings

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love to see the world, but you only really get to know a place if you get to know its people. Couchsurfing is a great opportunity to meet locals and learn about their dreams and worries. I used to couchsurf a few years back and loved every aspect of it. Unfortunately, I lost my account somehow and with it all my friends, but I'll be happy to make new ones.

Interests

• traveling
• woodworking
• hiking
• camping
• scuba diving
• sailing
• rock climbing
• creative writing

Music, Movies, and Books

I barely ever watch movies. I like bluegrass, reggae, and indie rock, and psych rock. As for books, there's many. Usually fiction, usually literary. Here's a few.
The Remains of the Day, The Bone Clocks, Cloud Atlas, Freedom, Life of Pi, The Snow Child, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Heart of Darkness, The Sun also Rises, The White Tiger, Absurdistan.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I suppose my attempt to hitchhike around the globe on small sailboats was pretty amazing. Some of the treehouses I built are also pretty cool.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm not sure what to say to this. Sounds dumb. Yes, I love to learn. Yes, I'll teach what I know. What?

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories and anecdotes of my travels and many many jokes. And although I prefer listening to stories I'm always happy to share as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, French Polynesia, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Laos, United States