I work as a documentary and adventure cinematographer, and I'm roadtripping down through the Keyes January 1-6th. I'm traveling with two awesome amigos, my brother and girlfriend, and we are primarily looking for spaces to camp out and sleep in our tents and hammock, and would love nothing more than to hang out with awesome locals along the way. We are looking for kayaking and water based adventures, along with some solid nightlife! Yew!

Like all millennials, I have an Instagram @matthew_parent, where you can judge me thoroughly. My website is www.matthewparentcreative.com, where you can see my work.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. Because meeting and staying with locals is the only way to truly travel.
2. It happens to be economically sound.

Couchsurfing allows you to travel in a different way, where allowing yourself to meet complete strangers is often rewarded beyond what you could comprehend. Travel is far more interesting that way.

I aim to be a phenomenal guest. I've spent enough time on couches to know a host always appreciate a guest that cooks, cleans, and maintains a fun and respectful demeanor. It also helps that staying in hotels is boring, and staying with people is far more entertaining.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

First time officially surfing! I've had the opportunity to unofficially couchsurf in West Virginia, Wyoming, and most recently Ventura, California, sleeping on a photographer's couch while I worked for him. Now hopefully I can add you to the list of cool people I've met!

Interests

Climbing, kayaking, diving, documentaries, reading, hiking, new friends, stir fry, international politics, and silly new adventures. Have I mentioned wine, new foods, strange foods, weird foods, tacos, high fives, cats, nice dogs, hammocks, and a damn good intellectual conversation?

• cats
• dogs
• arts
• photography
• documentaries
• film making
• perfumes
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• hiking
• surfing
• scuba diving
• rock climbing
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I love any and all nonfiction books. Any documentary that shows me something I didn't know, and any music and I can dance to late into the night.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

So many choices.... living out of a van and climbing in Wyoming and West Virginia, traveling through Australia and New Zealand, any time i've alpine climbed or paddled whitewater, or caved, or jumped off a cliff, or scuba dived a wreck, or sat on a beach in Fiji, or laughed til I cried. That one time I lived in Mexico for two months, or that other time I got paid to shoot diving in the Bahamas. That one time I took photos in dangerous neighborhoods in Mexico, and that other time I was big wall climbing in Yosemite. Those times I've dated foreign women, and every single time I meet someone from somewhere else who has lived an entirely different life than me. Making documentary in the rain tunnels of Las Vegas.... Nearly killing myself climbing in Yosemite, Indian Creek, or West Virginia.... (not on purpose)

Teach, Learn, Share

I could teach you how to make a solid breakfast burrito. It's really the most important skill in life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Delicious cooking, jokes, wine, and good company, and a damn good story or two.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Cuba, Ecuador, Fiji, Greenland, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, United States