ABOUT ME

Call me Nick. I've been in Monterey for a little over a year and am finally feeling like an expert on the ins-and-outs of the town, though there are always new things to be discovered here. Monterey is the best.. and my so is the job that brought me here! How many people get to put satellite tags on Great White sharks and tuna for a living? There's more to it than that, but certainly a highlight ;)

I'm a laid back guy, spontaneous and curious when I meet interesting new people. Like most couchsurfers, constantly in search of novel places, foods, ideas, challenges and experiences, as well as the opportunity to share my own with fellow wanderers over a drink or a meal. I'm naturally very 'go-go-go' and social, but also appreciate the value of being alone. The process of independent travel/solo discovery offers many teachings .

I've been lucky enough to travel quite a few places (exploring, for studies, volunteering and work) in the last few years- so looking forward to finding common ground with you & hopefully learning something totally new!

PHILOSOPHY

"Lo que en los libros no está, la vida te enseñara"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm always happy to host when I am around and have had nothing but great experiences so far. Whether a surfer is just looking to share a meal and a bottle of wine, wants a grand tour of the town and my work, or anything in between, I'm flexible and enthusiastic as a host.

Great community on the site- all about sharing kindness, stories, experiences and making the world a slightly smaller place. What more can you ask for?

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've learned something from every host and surfer I've crossed paths with :) I almost feel like calling them/the experiences out by name...

Interests

Some favorite hobbies: hiking, diving, sports, kayaking, spearfishing, cooking, photography..

Probably the best feeling in the world is when someone makes a spontaneous suggestion that seems outrageous at first, but then turns out to be a hugely memorable experience/success.

Some favorite conversation topics: cultural differences and similarities between people, travel stories, current events, science, crazy facts..

My favorite place on earth **despite having been to many beautiful and exciting places**= Home: San Diego, California

Music, Movies, and Books

My current " books to read" and "movies to watch" lists are 50+ items long. THere aren't enough hours in the day or days in the week! Current goal: watch every Academy Award (Best Picture) nominated film since 1930.

Favorite authors: Hemingway, Vonnegut, Tolkien, Steinbeck, Orwell, Follet...

Favorite movie genres: Dystopia, Classics, SciFi, Action, Comedy

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Alright, let's see- I would definitely have to say swimming with & tagging Giant Manta Rays (14 ft!) with remote Satellite tags in the south Pacific, and Bluefin tuna off the coast of Mexico- for science.

Also, teaching English for 3 months on a remote village on Karkar Island, Papua New Guinea; no running water/electricity.. the kind of experience that puts your life, values and 'place' in this world in perspective.

The year I spend building an adobe house for my grandparents in New Mexico is without equal... Iceland roadtripping, hiking the Pyrenees, discovering my roots in Cuba, every day I spend in the ocean.. but really I try to savor every little moment in life just as much as those.. like a short conversation with a stranger while traveling or a view you know you'll never see again :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, England, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kiribati, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States