CURRENT MISSION

To enjoy life

ABOUT ME

(WARNING):D When I travel I bring a bottle or a gift to your home if you don't drink, since I'm not spending money on a hotel. Maybe you should too, if you want me to host and I never turn down Russian vodka like Stolychnaya or Russian standard ;)I believe when a person opens their home to me that I should invest in that hospitality and bring them goodtimes. Whether I bring drinks or get food to cook at their home I am there to invest in good times. My rule is simple: I don't travel if I can't afford it. :) Why am I here? Because Utrecht is super duper close to Amsterdam without being surrounded by your stereotypical tourists. Real people that are established and live here. Well this is as far as the catapult could reach. Born in Hollywood California and nooo its not like the movies. :) I lived throughout LA, MIA, NY and Orlando. Now i live in Holland :D and I enjoy life every chance I get. I like to feed and treat nice people. Life is good, sooo why not be the same.
Sophistication and silliness should go hand in hand. :) I'm just a lucky untypical American enjoying this universe. I work in Amsterdam and revel in the moment.
Why Holland?
Because its like NY, without all the tall buildings, pollution, constant feel of terror, and you are not looked at like your crazy because you speak more than two languages.
I just want to make real connections and truly have fun with this part of the world.
So I'd like to focus on making new friends, smile and laugh.
If you like love to cook or make music or just be creative we are guaranteed to be good friends quick. :)

PHILOSOPHY

"Don't look for excuses" :) is my hobby site for philosophy and art
https://www.facebook.com/Shawn.Poet.In.Motion

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have a lust for life therefore I open my flat to fellow travelers like me.... especially my awesome town of Utrecht. Best part of Utrecht its not surrounded by typical tourists! I live in the middle of all the pubs, cafe's and lively area section. I also can help with train discount up to 40% when possible. I live less than 10 mins away from the biggest easiest train station, Utrecht Centraal. I have been doing this waaaaay before I joined the website. :) I know plenty of good local spots here and many, many, many in Amsterdam. I like to go out and drink and not see tourist traps like the Anne Frank house. I enjoy seeing museums. Also if you are not spending money on hotel and such, be a nice fun guest and bring booze and snacks(if possible from your country) or even a shot glass from your homeland. Don't stay at my place to be cheap. If you are traveling to pinch pennies than please don't ask me to host. There is a difference in couchsurfing and being homeless :D . I also have a diverse group of friends from around the world here to hang out with us. I also organize some gatherings and such https://www.facebook.com/Shaken.Not.Stirred.001 Soooooo if you like a fellow expat that lives here and likes to be spontaneous lets talk :) non-drinkers, cheapos, and wanting to do tourist traps (please ask what that is) need not apply :P

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Its fun especially since I have time this summer to do stuff.

Interests

Waaaaaay too many so just ask me please. But i will mention Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, and Orwell who since then on made it hard for things to shock me now.

Music to me is important. Therefore i listen to everything from Beethoven and Chopin to Gangstarr to Miles Davis to Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Radiohead to Vladimir Vysotsky to Sade to James Brown to Black Keys to Motorhead to Groove Armada to Cypress Hill to Bach to Daft Punk to The Roots to Johnny Cash ... basically anything that is genuine and not manufactured like Britney Spears or boy bands.
Music is color for the ears! So to say i only like one style is to say i live in mono color world..... good music in all styles is not easy to find... thats why we socialize and open our tastes and minds :D

Food: I can cook Cuban, Mexican, Thais, American burgers baby!, Cajun, tiny bit French, and other styles that i can't remember now. I love to eat shrimp, oysters, and mussels.

• arts
• coloring
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• pub crawls
• clothing
• movies
• chess
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• investing
• music
• surfing
• languages
• tourism

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've seen a homeless man beat people in chess and explained the cold war at the same time. I've seen poor people wash their clothes in a dirty river in El Salvador. I have seen an amazing dance spin on his hand and on his head in 3 cycles. Life is extremely interestng and fun!

Teach, Learn, Share

Female surfing safety!
Time and time again this CS-Group proves to attract male members with a very questionable agenda. They prowl on (young) female (newbie) members for obvious reasons. They misuse their role as a host, and focus on girls who lowered their defenses bcs of being desperate for accommodation. Often guys like that get away with their misconduct, leaving the girl in utter despair. Girls tend to not leave a negative reference, bcs of fear of retaliation references. We've seen it happen in this local community dozens of times. Be wary of it. Read these helpful tips to learn how to avoid attention from this type of men, to recognise their motives online in advance, and to find out what to do if things go wrong anyway:
• local Ana da Silva's practical guide for women to surf safely
• a reality check thread
• and the CS-Safety section
These are all important reading materials for every traveling woman on CS. Be warned.

Countries I’ve Visited

El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States