I LIVE IN TAICHUNG, NOT SHETOU!

I'm a tall lanky fella. Its been hard to find a raincoat that fits me, so I usually just ride with one that goes down to my elbows and get a chuckle out of all the Taiwanese people.

I like to work on projects and build things. Right now I am planning a 1000 gallon aquarium for the school I work for. On the back burner is a sputter coater. I like to hang out and have conversations with interesting people. I enjoy nature and all forms of life. I like to travel and meet people, learning about anything and everything. I also love food.

I have been living in Taiwan for the past two years. I am currently developing ways for the students to gain experiential learning as they navigate their way around the English language and prepare to study abroad. I teach chemistry and biology.

PHILOSOPHY

Talk to strangers, take risks, don't let the existential dread set it, never underestimate people, don't let it set innnn, get lost, be kind always, help others.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have a place to stay, so I want to help travelers in Taiwan. I like to travel the island myself, and its always good to make international friends.

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a place to crash and can give you invaluable tips on traveling here. I like to go on adventures and if I have time I will totally be an awesome tour guide. I usually get off work around 5:30, so I am free most nights to cook and relax or go out and hang out around town. I usually have weekends off as well.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have met some of my best friends in Taiwan through couchsurfing. I have hosted a few individuals when I lived in Shetou, and look forward to hosting many more from a more central location in Taiwan.

Interests

I am interested in your stories!

• arts
• culture
• architecture
• photography
• diy
• cooking
• gardening
• technology
• painting
• currency collecting
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• mountaineering
• snorkeling
• rock climbing
• teaching
• engineering
• food
• diving
• marine biology
• canyoneering
• biotechnology
• coral reefs
• river tracing
• collecting stones
• cinnamon hugs

Music, Movies, and Books

Depends on the mood. I love novelty as much as cryptic patterns and themes.
STRFKR is one of my favorite bands, I dig how they have clips of Allan Watts thrown into their tracks. I like a lot of different music hard to go on without making this a giant block of text with all the bands I like. Tame Impala is another good one.
When it comes to electronic I like everything from Daft Punk to Porter Robinson to Zeds Dead to chiptunes.
I like Liszt and Chopin... lets move on

I always have time to watch Forest Gump. I also really like anything by Wes Anderson or Quentin Tarantino (going to avoid another giant block of text)

I think my favorite book might be Frankenstein, but I feel like thats cliche. The Count of Monte Cristo is good. Paulo Coelho is a pretty good author. I think I would probably wind up in a fight with most authors my peers enjoy. I know this is going to sound really lame, but as a teacher I really like when textbook authors have good style haha.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I would say taught kids, but not limiting this essay to the prompt, I will include being completely surprised by a lunar eclipse on a cloudless night while camping on the beach near the Chingshui cliffs in Hualien, giving over 50 people their first cinnamon hug at the same time, having the mist turn into sleet while at the peak of Snow Mountain, climbing the 3 waterfalls at the Golden Grotto, found hidden natural hot springs, gone rock climbing above cliffs overhanging a coral reef, this list will continue I am sure! Moog fest

Teach, Learn, Share

yes, as much as possible.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have recently moved into a new apartment, so I am offering a room to stay until the last room is taken. I will still have some space on the floor in my room after that for those that don't mind sharing a room. I dont have a nice mat, but I have an extra sleeping bag.

If you are ever here I will try to meet up and show you some great Taiwanese hospitality! For the more adventurous folks that want to do some mountaineering/canyoneering I can get you in touch with some of the groups around Taiwan, show you some really awesome places, write up some really alternative itineraries that make for some seriously awesome adventure, and help in any other way possible with your experience here.

I also have a second scooter now. I plan on driving it to the east coast, so I have personal transportation on both sides of the island, but if you want to borrow it while its still in Taichung let me know and we can work something out. (for people downright confused by this, Taiwan is seriously the chillest place on earth. I have had people chase me down to return change!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Bahamas, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Montenegro, Netherlands, Scotland, Slovenia, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Taiwan, United States