At age 24 ,I left my native San Francisco, and took a backpack and traveled the world for 13 months. I returned to my native San Francisco without a job. Not really sure if I was even employable, I started the first travel agency specializing in discounted around the world airfares. To this day many world famous travel people credit me as an inspiration to travel the world and find their passion to travel and their careers. Now, I am a guest travel writer for the Huffington Post, and I'm creating a marketing and mingling site to bring anyone who makes a living in the field of travel together on a LinkedIn/Facebook type platform. See a preview of my World Travel List. www.worldtravellist.com

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm writing a book about just this subject. The experiences of travel. Just love the concept. Having traveled to 85 countries, Being a world traveler, I have possibly slept in every imaginable scenario. I'm still a backpacker at heart. I never forget where I came from. I'm still alive after many crazy encounters. I've had people crash with my in my home in San Francisco many times. Being a traveler not a tourist breeds tolerance and a better world for all. All travelers should seek out local experiences and leave a low carbon footprint on the planet.
See one of written pieces about "going local."
https://blogger.huffingtonpost.com/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&id=5439508&blog_id=3

Interests

As a world traveler, journalist, travel entrepremeur I have many interests. Travel for sure. Seeking new adventures, , Culture, History Sports, and "Going Local," as I call it.
I'm a world traveler, foodie, skilled drinker, (see Chico State University), entrepreneur, marketing, technology, travel start ups, movies, all sports Like I say, I'm as comfortable in board shorts surfing in my second home of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as being dressed in fine Italian fashion for business meetings and travel conferences. I love that the fact couchsurfing is a now a way of life. Love Food Markets and festivals, Surfing, Scuba Diving museums, and more. I want to learn for you. I'm writing a book about travel encounters and experiences.

• culture
• writing
• books
• fashion
• festivals
• dining
• wine
• beer
• technology
• movies
• traveling
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• business
• entrepreneurship
• history
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

The classics in any form of music, movies and books. I'm a big classic rock enthusiast. The likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers. All Stanley Kubrick films. Early Clint Eastwood. Forest Gump. Books: Motoring with Mohamed, books on travel. As a world citizen, I have many interests. I understand what makes a classic. I keep an open mind, and try to learn from by what others like as well.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Traveled to over 80 countries. Saved a baby in Bangladesh. Climbed to the top of Hyana Picchu in Peru, Climbed Annapurna base camp in Nepal, Scuba Dived with Great White Sharks in the Great Reef, Drove from Darwin to Sydney in Australia. Attended the last three San Francisco Giants, World Series. Sold beer and souvenirs at San Francisco's Candlestick Park, then became a somewhat famous travel entrepreneur. But maybe they might etch on my tombstone one day.
"made travel affordable for others to see the world."

Teach, Learn, Share

In life we learn everyday. Keep an open mind, be tolerant, learn from others way of living, and you just might end up being a better person....
I say , people have baggage. In America, our baggage might to 9/11. In Iran, they live with the facts that Saddam Hussein, killed millions of Iranians. Learn from others, travel the world to get a better understanding of mankind. I can guarantee you that you will return a changed person, and a better human being. I even say that travel more you more employable.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Many a good travel story. A fine bottle of wine, single malt or other libations. An open mind to have a great time meeting new friends, hopefully for life. We are on this planet to make the world a better place. Travel breed open mindedness and tolerance. The man who does not travel is tramped a small shallow world of mindedness. I can tell a few good travel stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

Greece, Mexico, United States