Hi, I'm Miles! I was born in New York City, and have grown up moving around the world, living in cities like New Orleans, Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, and New York. I am currently traveling around South America until June 2019. I was most recently living and working on a horse farm on the Coast of Uruguay,

I speak Spanish, Portuguese and English fluently, and have a Masters Degree in Architecture. After years of schooling and working in a competitive professional environment in Manhattan, I have realized that the moments I get to travel to new places and learn new things have been my happiest. I have taken two 1500 km+ road trips around Portugal and Spain, and would like to continue to explore and travel solo, meeting and exchanging with people who share similar interests. At the beginning of 2019 I was living in Puerto Rico managing volunteer building projects, playing drums in a reggae band, and working for a local family doing riding tours and learning to train Paso Fino horses. I have 8 years of experience in design and construction on multiple scales, building art installations, teaching adults in Spanish and English, starting and running a design studio that helps small businesses with graphic and web design, and 6 epic years in the restaurant/service world.

I love to share experiences with people, especially in new places. I have experience working and doing research in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. I have played saxophone (16 years) in jazz and funk bands and taught English night classes to Spanish-speaking adults in New Orleans. I've studied music in Kerala, India, and designed modern architecture on the cliffs of St. Barths. I have experience running a digital fabrication lab with a massive CNC machine and 3D printers, as well as designing and building structures small and large for festivals and high-profile clients. I have helped start small businesses in NYC and re-branded an international Mezcal company based in Oaxaca, Mexico. I have a lot of experience doing things on my own, and I am always open to new experiences.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am ideally looking for a creative experience/exchange, with a focus on architecture, history, and art in an environment that encourages creativity. I like to make furniture, sculptures and to paint, play and learn music. I would like to learn more about horticulture, boat building and any type of eco-design with a focus on new or local methods. I often cook for friends and family, and would love to be in an environment that appreciates food! My favorite nights are when I get to meet loads of new people, and my favorite days start with a bit of introspective meditation.

Interests

Wine and food obsessed. Good meals and good company are the focus of my travels.
Architecture and Language. I enjoy filling notebooks with sketches and ideas.
I love my Saxophone, Piano, Drums
I like to build and fix things, waking up early to see the sunrise, exploring beautiful buildings and public spaces when no one else is around. I sing in public, and find it very easy to meet people when I travel alone.

• architecture
• design
• wine
• history
• art
• funk
• soul
• gastronomy
• urbanism
• horticulture

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite movies: City of God, One flew over the Cuckoos Nest, Children of Men, Princess Mononoke
Favorite books: Siddartha, Kafka on the Shore, Between the World and Me, Moonwalking with Einstein
Favorite music: Radiohead, The Strokes, Jorge Bem, João Gilberto, Sly and the Family Stone, Sylvan Esso, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Amy Winehouse, Anderson Paak, Little Dragon, Mark Ronson, Beck, Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino, and on and on

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I designed a recycling center for the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro after doing research and living there alone during carnaval.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy teaching and learning languages. I like to have conversations about what's going on the world, and I cannot think of a better way to spend a day in a new place than exploring.

I want to become a professor of architecture.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'd like to know what you are passionate about. Being able to connect with people on a deeper level and communicate through language, art, and music.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Puerto Rico, Spain, United States