I am professional anthropologist. Most of my research is in Japan (studying Shugendo – mountain asceticism), but I have also done fieldwork in New Zealand w/ the Maori and in Canada with the Blackfoot. I have even made a film, called "The Buddha Mummies of North Japan." My hobbies include Judo, music, kayaking/canoeing, and science fiction.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Travelling is about finding human connection across difference. Hard to find that while staying in expensive hotels that isolate you from the culture & community of any given place.

Interests

• music
• anthropology
• science fiction
• judo

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: World music is a huge category, but it is my favourite. The Hu & Egschiglen of Mongolia, Oki Dub Ainu Band of Japan, the Bullhorn Singers, HalluciNation, Silla & Rise, & Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie of Canada, Xavier Rudd, Charlie McMahon, & Larry Gurruwiwi of Australia, Anoushka Shankar of Britain who plays Indian sitar, I also like Metallica, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Smile, The Black Pumas, Tool, Soundgarden, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine.

MOVIES: Here, I lean to Science Fiction. Children of Men, Dune, What Dreams May Come, Never Ending Story, Star Wars, Marvel,

Books: Dune series (Frank Herbert), Lord of the Rings series (J. R. R. Tolkien), Three Body Problem Trilogy (Cixin Liu), 2001: A Space Odyssey (Arthur C. Clarke), anything by Nietzsche. I'm a scholar so there are too many to name!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My wife and I backpacked from Santiago, Chile to Mexico City on a shoestring budget over the course of six months. That was AMAZING! We worked on an archaeological dig site in Peru for a month. I'll never forget arriving at Machu Picchu. It was covered in fog. I was greatly disappointed. Then ... the sun rose and the fog lifted revealing the site. It was magical.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a former English teacher, world traveller, musician, professor of anthropology, and a certified Judo coach. I'm sure we'll find common ground.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories and knowledge gained through my studies.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Japan