Wow... I am (re)writing this in Spring of 2021. Needless to say, my Couchsurfing chops are a bit dusty!

So, about me: I have been doing the traveling English teacher thing since 2013. I lived and worked in Arabia and Europe. For the last few years my home base has been in Croatia. Now I do some English teaching online. I'm not getting rich or anything, but I make enough to eat, pay my bills, and share something with friends.

Now, I am finally looking at a return home, to USA. I'm simultaneously excited and nervous. A lot has changed since I left. I'm working my way back towards my parents house in St. Louis, but on my way, I want to take some time to get the feeling for two classic American cities. In all my years of travels, I've still never experienced NYC or D.C. So, east coast, here I come baby!

Three important things, about COVID, sex, and partying:

1) I am not a COVID denier by any means (I have family and friends very directly affected by the pandemic). That being said, I do still move around a bit, so I try to stay safe as possible. I wear my mask, use gallons of sanitizer, and don't go to crowded indoor locations. I will be taking a PCR test before I arrive in New York.

2) Sex: I was sexually assaulted by a CS host in Italy. I haven't lost faith in this platform, but I have used it long enough to realize some people use it as a dating platform. If that is you... uh, "swipe left", I guess?

3) Parties: I am one of those people with an "allergy" to alcohol ;) so I don't drink. But I like to join people who are partying, I just drink Red Bull. So, whether you are sober or not makes no difference to me. I have seen it all and done it all. But just so you know, beyond Red Bull and the occasional spliff I don't take anything any more.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Our generation has the potential to use social networks and other digital space to truly decentralize much of the world that our parents grew up in. I believe in the power of human relationships to create new social and economic systems. In this way, making friends and traveling can become a way to improve a system fraught with the ills of late stage capitalism.

That all sounds very idealistic so maybe I should just say.... I could stay in an Airbnb, but it's a lot more fun to make new friends!

Interests

Writing, art, music, animals, sports, good times, meditation, yoga, sustainability, community, volunteering

• animals
• arts
• writing
• literature
• music
• live music
• piano
• hiking
• camping
• rugby
• history
• film
• freediving
• science fiction
• diving
• climbing
• fiction

Music, Movies, and Books

Iron Maiden, Darkthrone (metal) / 2 Unlimited (euro dance) / Paul Elstak, Boris Brejcha (techno!!!)

Jaws, The Big Lebowski, Life Aquatic

Mason and Dixon, Infinite Jest, 1Q84

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I spent five years teaching English in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. I lived in a tent in the mountains of Spain for several months, climbing mountains. I've climbed Mount Etna. Cycled from Italy to Croatia. I'm a very lucky boy.

Teach, Learn, Share

English, Spanish, piano, guitar

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always happy to do language exchange or give piano / guitar lessons! I'm a pretty good cook (I think) and I'm happy to help with cleaning. I do work online and have some savings, so I'm not so poor, but I am on a budget. I'm happy to help pay for utilities, groceries, etc if any of my hosts would like.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Croatia, England, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States