CURRENT MISSION

Hoping to join the couchsurfing community as both a host and surfer! Something I've been wanting to do for a long time!

ABOUT ME

I studied philosophy in university, and rather than deal with the post-financial crisis job market, I moved to SE Asia for two years and did random things. I taught English at a university, tutored monks in math, and managed a restaurant. It's called Tamarind...perhaps some of you have even eaten there (In Luang Prabang)! After that I moved back to the US and completed a Masters degree in Bioethics. After two years in Philly, I ended up back in Asia, teaching bioethics at a university in Busan!

I try to be outside as much as possible in my free time and love climbing, backpacking, and skiing. If mountains are involved, I'm there. Music is my favorite form of art, so I love going to live shows and exploring the sounds of other cultures.

PHILOSOPHY

I think the best recipe for an unforgettable travel experience is a bottle or two of wine and conversation with new people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've traveled a fair amount in my life, but I'm new to couchsurfing (though I first heard about it several years ago). I'm hoping to start hosting this year, and just had my first experiences surfing while in Europe this past summer!

Interests

I love all visual and aural experiences. Love to watch films, read, listen to music and go to concerts. I also love being outside, backpacking, skiing, and climbing. Basically my free time right now is devoted to climbing and going to as many concerts as possible! I also love the NY Mets (an American baseball team that is not very good) and watching international football.

• arts
• concerts
• wine
• cheese
• drinking
• movies
• traveling
• music
• backpacking
• surfing
• skiing
• baseball
• rock climbing
• soccer
• mathematics
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

For movies I'm a big fan of von Trier and Coen brothers films.

I guess I'd say my music tastes are reasonably eclectic and range from folk to dark metal. Never liked punk, ska, or pop country, though. Couldn't tell you why. Some of the best concerts I've seen lately were Sigur Ros, James Blake, Future Islands, Deafheaven, and Nickel Creek.

I love reading and generally alternate between complete devotion to either fiction or non-fiction. Currently it's fiction. My favorite author is Ian McEwan, and some favorite books are The House of the Spirits, The Remains of the Day, Brave New World, and the His Dark Materials trilogy.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Traveled all day to attend a wedding in the remote Laos jungle.

Trekking the high passes in Nepal's Khumbu region, seeing Everest basecamp and the Gokyo valley.

Having the best crab of my life at a small stand with plastic tables and chairs in the Vietnamese delta.

Spending a week traveling from ger to ger in Mongolia with some of my closest friends from university, drinking almost exclusively vodka and fermented mare's milk (tastes like carbonated, rotten cheese).

Spending my summers living in tents, rather than offices!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Laos, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, United States