First off, I have used "omrider" as my name on CS since 2006, but my name is Matthaios, prounounced: Ma-thay-os :) If you want to search me on FB: Matthaios Tz or instagram: @omrider24

CURRENT MISSION

I left my home in New Mexico around mid-December & have been on the road towards Oregon to visit my family since. I've had a severe chronic illness for 15 years and spent the last year living in a tent in NM in an attempt to save what money I have left for one last attempt at intensive treatment and win my life back. I have been considering an integrative clinic in LA for about 7 years and finally have an appointment 2nd week of January...so stoked! This unexpected turn of events has me seeking a host via CS, since I'm didn't think I'd need to be here longer than the 12/31...I house sitting gig until then, but nothing lined up afterward. I've been car camping majority of the trip, with some homestays. I'm super organized/clean & a pro guest:) My illness happens to be cooperating at this time and if you meet me or see me, you will likely never know the wiser, but at times it flares and I'll just be in pain and more tired, but you likely won't even notice. I am a very positive person despite my circumstances and not a buzzkill in the least :)

I'm open about my conditions since most are curious and I'm an advocate to spread awareness and help destigmatize illness...here is a partial list: Lyme disease, Fibromyalgia, CFS, Hypothyroidism, CKD,
While on the road, I'm looking to also start my blog/vlog/website helping others by sharing the knowledge I've accumulated over the course of a 15 yrs seeking care. I'm a healthcare advocate and have always been about helping people, but now my scope is more narrowed towards those with similar health issues. I'm not a "buzzkill" only speaking about my health all the time, as other hosts can attest, I'm much deeper than my illness. I am well traveled and have been hosted and hosted many along the way. I am very self contained and on this trip, I've spent 2 weeks camping and mixed in home stays. For example, I can pitch a tent in someones yard and I have all the cooking supplies and materials to be extremely "light" as a guest:) My profile should speak a bit for itself, but please, don't hesitate to ask further questions!

ABOUT ME

I'm less of a World Traveler these days, but I do still enjoy the occasional excursion. I did make it to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014 and a 3 week trip, turned into an amazing 5.5 month adventure, thanks to the kindness of the Brazilians and a healthy dose of couchsurfing;) I first used couchsurfing in 2006 for the World Cup in Germany and it was an amazing experience! (no, I don't only go to World Cups, ha!) Although older now, I'm still young in spirit and hopeful to make some new memories through staying with locals as I seek to learn about each city I am exploring for my new home. I am an experienced traveler & know how to be a clean & respectful guest. At this point in my journey, my chronic health condition is doing ok, but at times I must rest. I seize the moment, when I feel well and you may not even notice, if I didn't mention in profile. If you host me, I am not only defined by my illness, but it part of my story, but not all of my story:) I will also be seeking out some possible "healing" while in the area and looking for doctors in the area I might move to. I also hope to show people that you can still travel & live some of your dreams while battling poor health. For those of you who want a friend to party all night with, I'm probably not the guest for you...if you want good conversation & exchange of culture, maybe I'm your guest. I practice Qi gong and meditation most days and happy to share, if you are interested:) I like to cook, but also can eat outside the home if it is best for the host:) My food is all gluten-free & all natural...I'm not a vegetarian, but eat tons of veggies:) I love dark chocolate! Like I mentioned, i am self contained and have everything to camp for days(mattress, stove, cookware, cooler, etc...) and can plug right into a home or into someone's yard, if no room in the home.

PHILOSOPHY

Attempt to appreciate the moment I'm currently experiencing...good, bad, or ugly, and sharing what I can to help those I encounter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed throughout western Europe during the World Cup 2006 and hosted friends in my past home in Portland, OR. I'm only recently getting back involved after a health crisis and as I'm beginning to find some remission, I am using the network again. Looking forward to "surfing" again. I sold my home and can't host at this time. I used CS throughout Brazil to experience a bit of the culture better and to extend my budget...No, I don't only use for "free place", but I feel it is dishonest of most couchsurfers to always say that they don't use CS to save some money... I'm just saying that I use CS to meet people first and the savings is a big bonus, TRUTH! I must focus my budget on treating Lyme disease at this time and unfortunately our healthcare system has been less than helpful in paying for my care...not bitter, I still feel lucky everyday :) :)

Interests

surfing, Yoga, Qi gong, futbol(soccer), percussion, samba music, meditation, family, dancing, slackline, live music, hiking, writing, healthcare advocacy, compassion, meeting new people of the world:)

• culture
• writing
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• chocolate
• vegetarian
• yoga
• meditation
• partying
• traveling
• eating out
• socializing
• blogging
• music
• live music
• hiking
• camping
• surfing
• soccer
• world cup

Music, Movies, and Books

music: alt-j, Jorge Ben, Tom Zé, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Jau, cafe tacvba, y la bamba, Midnite, Nicoluminous, REGGAE,Burning Spear, Dezarie, Groundation, Bonobo, Sea of Bees, Matt & Kim, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Ray Charles, Discovery, MIA, Bhangra, matisyahu,funk, reggae, dub, bluegrass, + hip-hop, Michael Franti, john butler trio, Mason Jennings, Sharon Jones and the Dap kings, nusrat fateh ali khan, josh martinez, miles davis, nickel creek, atmosphere, common, mos def, The Shins, Lifesavas, Shiela Chandra, Ricky Skaggs, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Barrington Levy, Awolnation SMASHING PUMPKINS, Jane's Addiction, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, modest mouse, Che Sudaka, Dirty gold, fool's gold, foster the people, Ghostpoet, Foxygen, Gold Panda, Guts, Jaime xx, Jon Hopkins, Lee "scratch" Perry, Mike snow, Quantic, Passion Pit, Rodriguez, Santigold, Sbtrkt, Toky police club, Vampire weekend, weezer, Fela kuti, Taj Mahal, Romanowski, roots crew, talib kweli, sigur ros, aesop rock, st. germain, wilco, jamiroquai, lifesavas, xavier rudd, anything that makes you wanna shake it

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Copa del mundo in Germany & Brazil, Palenque Mayan ruins, surfed: Bali, Oz, HI, MX, OR,...Wait until you host me and I'll tell you more stories if you ask:)

Teach, Learn, Share

Life is as complicated as we make it...simplicity is key. Without our health, very little else matters...

What I Can Share with Hosts

qi gong, yoga, meditation, nutrition, stories upon stories!!!, smiles, and a positive attitude:)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Mexico, United States

• 

•