Hey there! My name's Spencer. I've had the good fortune to be able to travel fairly extensively around the world, with nearly 40 countries to my name so far. I've backpacked, done exchange programs, and volunteered. Along the way, I've used couch surfing often, but not anytime recently.

This summer I'm embarking on a cross-country trip, beginning in Maine, and ending...well, I'm not quite sure on that part yet. If you're interested in following along, like my Facebook page - Saga of Spencer. A working idea of my route can be seen below:

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I'm leaving July 7th or 8th from Maine, and then I'm off well into the fall. I'm hoping to find hospitable and gracious hosts along the way who can put me up, and in return, hopefully I can offer some decent stories and a good drinking partner and friend.

My friends call me a poor man's Hank Moody. If you get the reference, we would probably get along.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I originally signed up because I was poor and needed a place to crash, as is the case with many of us if we're being honest (at least the travelers, I'd imagine). It's been great so far, every host has contributed something to my trip. Couch surfing has been a big plus on my trips, and I've learned there's much more to it than just a place to sleep. Also met some awesome guys and girls who I keep in touch with still along the way.

Cool experiences I've had with Couchsurfing hosts: exploring the Reaperbahn and Fischmarket with a host who only, intended to host me a night last minute, but then offered me a place for 4 days, discussing philosophy and international politics with a bishop in Bremen, racing around motorcycles with a former cop in New York, and learning about a girl's isolated existence growing up on a Christian retreat in Washington state where she had never heard of the Rolling Stones. The diversity that's out there astounds me!

Interests

I enjoy just packing up and leaving with little to no plans, visiting new countries, making new friends, drinking with strangers, and learning more about the world as a whole. 9-5 life gets a bit too monontanous for me since I feel the need to meet more interesting and like minded people. Coming from a suburban town kind of limits that, unfortunately.

Some books I enjoy include Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, My Stars the Destination by Alfred Bester, and American Gods by Neil Gainman.

When I'm not travelling and seeing the world, fitness and reading tend to keep me occupied. Though, lately, it's just aimless motorcycle trips listening to music along the way and shenanigans with strangers. I get a lot of enjoyment in that.

• arts
• culture
• books
• dining
• fitness
• drinking
• motorcycles
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• music
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• martial arts
• history
• languages
• religion
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

1. My music taste is pretty diverse, but I'm partial to heavy rock and anything with crunch guitars since it seems to be ideal for riding around on my bike cross country; Queens of the Stone Age, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Foo Fighters, The Heavy, Wolfmother, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys. Non rock music could be Kaskade, Miike Snow, Daft Punk, Atmosphere or Jurassic 5.

2. Movies: Action/Mystery/Comedy
. I gotta say, I'm more into tv series though! Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, Walking Dead, The Following, Arrested Development, Fortitude, Shameless and Banshee are some recent favorites.

3. Philosophy, Fantasy or Science Fiction. Some books I enjoy include Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, My Stars the Destination by Alfred Bester, and American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Gonna cheat and list several.

1. Touring the southern coast of Iceland and visiting areas like the Landsmannlaugur Valley - unbelieveable scenery, unlike any other place on the planet.
I also hitchhiked up north to Akureyri and explored the Westfjords.

2. Working as a lumberjack in Norway also comes to mind as a great experience.
I was near Andalsnes, nestled between a fjord in a beautiful valley. Every morning I woke up to the most spectacular views and fresh air!

3. Training Muay Thai in Thailand, and backpacking in South America, through Eastern Europe and the Middle East in one extended 7 month trip was amazing too, however.

4. Hiking through Patagonia and seeing the beautiful Torres Del Paine during storm conditions...and that was my first time ever camping as an adult! Brutally beautiful.

5. Hitchhiking in Israel/Palestine and hiking a mountain overlooking the Dead Sea before sneaking into a Kibbutz and staying with strange hippies after being comletely screwed on accommodation.

6. My motorcycle trip thus far.

Teach, Learn, Share

I suppose I could share some insight into American culture and the way Americans do things, but I suppose television and the internet bombard most citizens of other countries with that anyways.

But since I'm in the US surrounded by other Americans....I like to think I'm well versed in a lot of topics. I enjoy discussing politics, music, travel, fitness, religion, history (my major, and not-so-secret passion), motorcycles, food, and martial arts. The good thing about traveling is you learn a bit about everything, including the human condition and people's mindsets. That's ultimately what I like to discuss.

I can't speak 2-5 languages like everyone else seemingly can with ease, so don't expect that. I know, it's a disappointment coming from a world traveler!

What I Can Share with Hosts

A good verbal sparring partner and a new perspective! I'm generally a bit mischievous with a slightly rebellious streak. I'm also a bit sarcastic and cheeky, so I appreciate when a guest (or host!) has a good sense of humor. I try not to take myself too seriously or come off as pretentious. I don't want to save the world, campaign some cause, or anything so noble. I'm just a laid back, curious guy looking to meet other like-minded people and experience local culture all around the United States.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Myanmar, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Netherlands, Poland, Thailand, United States