I was born and raised in northern New Jersey, in a town 30 minutes away from New York City. At university, I developed a strong interest in the various religions and philosophies of the world and began an intensive study of meditation. Over the years, I have combined this interest in the contemplative life with an interest in ecology and learning how to live a more beautiful and sustainable life. I lived in Portland, Oregon for 4 years, where I studied organic vegetable gardening, permaculture, and yoga, and worked as a teacher in an ecological preschool. A few years ago I moved to Italy where my ancestors lived to travel and explore ecological and spiritual movements in that beautiful country. It was on that journey that I met the incredible woman who became my wife, Marika (www.couchsurfing.com/people/marikagraziani).

I am particularly interested in the ecovillage and intentional community movement as an alternative way of life. I have spent lots of time studying permaculture, a way of growing food and planning communities that works with the cycles and patterns of the earth to grow food (and happy people).

I have a deep love of nature. I think the best medicine for a broken heart or a bad day is a walk in the woods. I like to go camping, hiking, and learn more skills to live in the wilderness.

I believe that the world we live in is a beautiful but very confused place. Our economies, governments, and corporations are making the world ugly and the people worried, poor, and hurried. I think it's important for those of us who see this to first heal ourselves, and then find each other and rise up in a joyful and playful revolution.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think it's so beautiful that this website lets people share what they have so people can learn, live, and create together.

Even though I don't have a space to share right now, I have hosted travelers in the past when I was studying in Genoa and working in Venice. It is always a joy to help people discover a new place when I have a space to offer guests.

Interests

Music. Nature. Reading. Writing. Learning. Breathing. Simple living. Meditation. Growing and cooking nourishing food. Healing with plants. Yoga. Learning Languages, Discovering different cultures. Hiking. Camping. Appreciating this beautiful gift of life.

• writing
• singing
• dining
• cooking
• cheese
• yoga
• meditation
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• hiking
• camping
• ecology
• teaching
• history
• languages
• medicine
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

Schubert, Mozart, Beethoven, The Beatles, Fabrizio de André

Hermann Hesse, Italo Calvino, Alan Watts

La Meglio Gioventù, Prima della Rivoluzione, The Tree of Life, My Dinner with Andre, Baraka

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every breath is amazing, I don't like to play the game of picking and choosing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have tutored people learning English before. I can teach you to meditate and to calm and focus your mind. I know a few things about gardening and cooking. I've studied the history of many of the philosophies and religions of the world and love to talk about what they mean for our lives today. Also I know a bit of guitar and ukulele and I like to sing though I don't have a trained voice. Maybe we could make music together?

Things I want to learn: Italian! German! The names of your local plants and trees! How to make different kinds of cheese! Where the water flows! What kind of foods your great-grandmother ate! The mandolin! How to graft fruit trees!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have been a preschool teacher and I love spending time with children so if you have kids I could offer babysitting. I love to cook and would be happy to share some of my Indian and Italian specialties. I am also a serviceable organic gardener if you need garden or landscaping work.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Peru, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Italy, United States