FYI: 2023 I’m currently on the move, traveling the world. If you see me and have strong suggestions of where I should go next, please reach out. I love hearing from people and learning from your experiences. Follow my trip ‘Indeterminate abroad’ on Polarsteps here:
https://www.polarsteps.com/matt/8054323-indeterminate-abroad

I am a software engineer working in the conversational AI / banking industry. While I'm not inspiring my team to find value and interest in the project they work on, I’m developing websites. There's something about the intersection between art and code that entices me. There's a beauty in how software works and displays that I treasure and it's the zen I look for. It's just something that makes me happy.

But most importantly, I love meeting new people and experiencing new cultures through food. If I didn't go to school for computer science and math, I would have gone to culinary school for food science. I find that food can tell many stories and food can be a harbinger for great friends, great conversations, and great experiences.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I initially signed up for Couchsurfing, I didn't entirely know why I signed up other than it was a new experience for me and a somewhat odd one at that. There was definitely an appeal of frugality that attracted me. The mere thought of staying with a complete stranger on their bed for a night or two also didn't freak me out but instead made me sigh an audible "huh!" Since signing up, I've traveled and hosted enough that I think I know why I'm on Couchsurfing.

First of all, I love food. I know everyone says that and everyone eats a ton and everyone knows someone who could out-eat other people. Yeah, okay. I won't argue with that. But arguably more importantly, I love sharing food. There's something about sharing a meal with another that make you connect on a different level. There's this camaraderie and teamwork that happens when you follow a recipe together. And in the end, you have this delicious meal that the team put effort into and you get to share that with each other. Naturally, it spurs conversation about anything and everything, from "you didn't put the sugar in" to "I don't quite understand why you're investing in VDAIX instead of VIHIX." In the end, you're physically sated with food, mentally sated with knowledge, emotionally sated with a new friend (or recipe).

Food, food, food.

Interests

• cooking
• yoga
• eating out
• piano
• tennis
• food
• pizza
• bicycle

Music, Movies, and Books

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and the ilk. It's all about the laid back tunes on a warm summer day.

And when I'm coding? Dance music. For some reason, dance music helps my mind focus on those hard algorithms just dying to be solved.

Recently, I've gotten into smooth jazz that makes your head naturally move to the rhythm of the sax or guitar.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During my summer working in Israel, I took a weekend trip to Jordan to visit Petra and a few desserts. It was phenomenal. The experience of sleeping under the bright glowing stars was second to none and the human connection I had while going to buy extra water was one I'll remember forever. Ask me about it sometime, let me tell you the story!

Teach, Learn, Share

I cannot teach you how to cook as that would be like fishing for you - but I can teach how to read a recipe and knife skills. You must be willing to learn and have a thirst for improving! And hey, I'd love to learn from you too. I've already learned how to make sauerkraut and chocolate truffles from travelers. I suppose the bar is pretty high, huh?

I share everything I own. All I ask in return is to love my stuff as I would yours. Keep it neat, keep it clean. Try not to break stuff. You know, the usual.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A warm home and a passion for food.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, China, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, North Korea, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States