CURRENT MISSION

No Fixed Home Address....Ever ;)

ABOUT ME

***UPDATE***
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It's now 2013, and almost 4 years since I embarked on this journey.

When I started I didn't know where it would take me or where I would go. If there is anything I have learned in this time, it's to have faith in yourself. A good mantra for all fellow travelers.

There are many uncertainties in life. And when you don't know where your next pay check is coming from, can't speak the local language, unable to make sense of the local customs and find yourself relying on the help of complete strangers it does something wonderful to your perception of the world...For me, I realized regardless of language, culture or geography there are great people in every corner of the world. Those of lucky enough to stumble upon couch surfing - Many of those same people can be found right here!

BACK STORY:
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About 4 years ago, I sold everything I had except the contents of my backpack and darn tax records (I can't believe I need to hold onto these for 7 years...) and I ventured out.

My travels first started out living in a camper van - a VW Westfalia and toured up and down the West Coast of Canada and USA. The van was sold to fund further international travels and in the last four years have only been to many parts of Asia, south east Asia, England, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Ecuador, Mexico, Ukraine, Moldova...and still counting.

It's about slow travel:
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Honestly, I think I am getting too old to move from place to place every night or even every week. I like to find a little cozy place and hang out for a few months before heading on. The longer I travel, the more I find this is not only more affordable, but also far more intimate as you begin to form a relationship with the city/town you live in. You start to become a member of the community. That in itself is rewarding.

Whether I am surfing or hosting (It's all about Karma baby) chances are I am coming to your town/city to visit for a while (surfing), or I have already been there for a while and can show you around (hosting).

I am recently back on my feet and got my travelling shoes on. The last time I updated this profile was over 2 years ago, going to try and keep things fresh on here. Got any questions, drop me a line.

PHILOSOPHY

Paraphrasing Henry David Thoreau, "A man walks through town with all his life's possessions on his back. The towns people say "shame, poor guy for that's all he has", I say "Well done, less to burden your life"

I believe we are too burdened with life's material possessions. Now, not that I disagree with a nice car, house, etc..It's just that it can take the focus away from important aspects in life - like personal relationships and extraordinary experiences....

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

People are wonderful and interesting. I love sharing insights, philosophies, knowledge and skills. I am an amateur juggler, love to play with circus stuff (hand-to-hand, acrobatics - trapeze, silks) love to dance (mostly latin style, but working on west/east coast, swing,lindyhop) and try to keep my body as active as possible.

I like a good joke, have a recent keen interest in languages and like to keep my mind active and challenged. I also like to play guitar and piano - there is nothing better than live music...ok, maybe there is, dancing to live music.

I like to share my skill set with others and have often found myself trading/sharing dance and juggling lessons for guitar lessons. Accounting and tax advice for Hip-hop lessons, etc. We live in a world where skill exchanges are undervalued and I think there is a wonder connection when a group of people exchange ideas/skills they are passionate about.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Did I say "Karma"....That's right. It's all about Karma baby. What comes around, goes around. All my couch surfing experiences have been absolutely wonderful. Whether it is surfing or hosting, new faces and new experiences are what makes each day wonderful.

Interests

I love to dance, learn, understand and share ideas and skills with like minded people.

• culture
• dancing
• bachata
• cooking
• vegan
• traveling
• juggling
• music
• live music
• guitar
• piano
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• geography
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

A few books I have enjoyed are "The 4 hour work week" by Tim Ferris, "Omnivore's dilemma" by Michael Pollan, "Outliers" and "Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell and really any book which pushes conventional wisdom and the status quo.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I guess here are few highlights:

- Living in South Africa during the 1994 South African elections and witnessing President Nelson Mandela's rise to power.

- Being chased by musting elephant in Botswana and praying the land rover was fast enough to outrun this massive creature.

- Surfing off the coast of Ecuador and enjoying a laissez faire approach to life.

Teach, Learn, Share

What I can Teach:
- Dance (salsa, cha-cha, Merenge, Bachata)
- Juggling and partner passing
- Guitar
- Some circus tricks
- English
- Cook (mostly vegan)
- Accounting and tax advice (yikes - boring)

What I would love to learn/learn more:
- French
- Spanish
- People and Cultures
- Hop-hop East/West Coast Swing dances

Countries I’ve Visited

Ecuador

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, South Africa, United States

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