ABOUT ME

Hello! I play music with saxophones and like to look at views from the top of mountains and converse over beers in dimly lit bars

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I haven't had any specific couchsurfing experience yet. But I've travelled a fair amount. I stayed with a host family for two weeks while taking an intensive language class in San Sebastian, Spain. Every other summer I visit my extended family in the Netherlands (I'm half Dutch, on my mom's side), and together we have spent time in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Limburg (the southern-most province in the Netherlands). A few summers ago I went on a trip to Israel for two weeks with my best friend. We started in the north and made our way down to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We then backpacked through some of Holland and Paris, staying in hostels, meeting people, and having a great time! I've also seen Croatia, Bosnia and some of Italy with my family. I haven't been to Asia, Africa, or South America yet, but those are next on my list!

Interests

I spend most of my time listening to and playing music. I'm currently obsessed with blues and American roots music, and I'm always listening to Jazz. I could talk/listen/learn about music all day basically forever, but I like other things too! like the outdoors: hiking, skiing, surfing, biking, swimming, rock climbing. Any way I can feel the world with my hands, feet, eyes, ears and nose. I'm really interested in eating foods that give me pleasure. There's nothing like a good meal with good drink.

• beauty
• concerts
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• drinking
• socializing
• music
• live music
• jazz
• blues
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• skiing
• rock climbing
• swimming
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: Charlie Parker, Sigur Ros, John Coltrane, St. Vincent, Skip James, Sam Amidon, Lester Young, Mississippi John Hurt, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Sonny Rollins, James Blake, James Brown, Robert Johnson etc.

BOOKS: Practically all Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ralph Ellison, James Joyce, Hermann Hesse, Mark Twain etc. These authors have written some of my favorite books. I haven't read many books that have come out recently. I tend to really enjoy the classic American literature.

MOVIES: Most of Wes Anderson's movies, most of the Coen brothers' movies. I saw Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Master" this past year and thought that was really good.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've seen some natural beauty in this world: the Northern California coast, the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest US, the Dead Sea at sunrise, the Mediterranean Sea. All arrestingly beautiful places. Some of the most personally moving experiences for have been concerts that I've seen/heard. Live music has the power to transcend.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you play music, I'd love to play with you. I'm also pretty good at making sandwiches (a food that truly knows no cultural bounds) and washing dishes, both which I'd be happy to contribute! I'd love to learn to cook some traditional meals from you as well!