CURRENT MISSION My mission is to explore the world, meet new people, and try new things. I have a tendency to walk way too much in order to see as much of a place as possible.

ABOUT ME I have been a High School teacher, but take some time off every now and then to see the world, catch up with old friends, make new friends, and go places that I have always wanted to see. Typically the first few destinations of my trips are planned and then other cities and/or countries just unfolded naturally. Sometimes I feel the need to explore a country because I was in the region and other times I have found a reasonably priced ticket (bus, train, or plane) at the last minute. Being from Wisconsin at times I am just wandering through the world hoping to avoid winter.

PHILOSOPHY Follow your instincts, try to make everyone’s life a bit easier…smile, say hello in local language or give a helping hand if needed. But always follow your heart to make your dreams or others dreams a reality.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have attended Couchsurfing weekly/monthly meetups in Sicily, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and other places in the world which is a great way to learn from local hosts and travels and to share experiences and meals and memories.

When traveling alone it is nice to share experiences with others and Couchsurfing is a great way to do this.

For example, in Cairo I was invited to visit the Pyramids of Giza on Christmas day and later experience the Sufi dancers.

The idea of complete strangers coming together to help one another and share ideas and experiences truly impresses me. When I am away I try to share a meal usually cooked together especially around the holidays. And of course sharing a couch in someone’s home offers an amazing opportunity to get to know how other people live and to begin new friendships.

I try to provide guidance to fellow travelers: either at the transportation depot (bus, train, ferry, or air) or within a hostel or electronically.

Offering and accepting information is one of the tenets of a responsible host/traveler. Another is understanding how to connect with people from around the world. I have been traveling for 6 of the last 8 years and still have so much more to offer and learn.

Interests

I am interested in traveling, cooking, visiting markets, reading, watching movies, meeting and helping other people.

• cooking
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• teaching
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: I enjoyed reading "Brother's Karamazov", "Don Quixote", "Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest", "Tis", Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole novels, and some Stephen King.

Movies: I enjoy foreign films: Intouchables, Amelie, and A Separation. Classic American movies: The Thin Man, North by Northwest, and Citizen Kane.

Music: My musical tastes vary from Beatles to Hendrix to 80’s to today.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walked 50 km around Siem Reap, 41 kilometers in Namibia, climbed over the mountain to the Valley of the Kings, and went snorkeling in the Perhentians, and traveled the beautiful mountains of South-Western Sichuan in China (autonomous Tibetan Region) where I met the most amazing people.

Teach, Learn, Share

As a teacher I always listening and ask questions of hosts/locals/fellow travelers.. Taking notes about their suggestions and trying to learn and share as much as I can through conversations or WhatsApp.

You never know what may be helpful to me or others we meet along the way.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Fellow travelers would say pancakes. I would say that I love to cook and share with others. I am also good at figuring out how to travel on a budget.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States