I value transience in my life, probably because I spent the first 18 years of my life in the countryside in the Bible belt of the United States. And I'm an inquisitive soul. I like meeting locals, people who have stayed rooted long enough to learn a place inside and out. Urban exploration is golden. Grit and its complements.

I'm not an activist but am definitely social-justice minded, with a critical mind attuned to the miscellaneous atrocities of capitalism. I am sincere and introverted - a pretty strong listener. I have an affinity for French cinema, literature, and language. Additional affinities for Persian and Turkish cinemas.

I write......articles and fictional paragraphs that occasionally amount to short stories. I must surmount inertia at times. I have slipped into the habit of reading a novel set in the city I am about to visit before I depart. I was reading "Go, Went, Gone" ahead of visiting Berlin. In the case of Athens, I'm not sure what to read, but I am watched a few Greek films to get in gear.

I have focused on forced migration and aim to work more with refugees and asylum seekers. Big heart for displaced people. I have been volunteering in a shelter in Athens.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I often couchsurf when I travel now and encourage my friends to do so. I would love to host but am not in a suitable place yet.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I got off to a great start in Austin.They know how to do it up.Since then I have also had great experiences both in Istanbul, Thessaloniki and beyond.

Interests

migration flows (refuge/asylum), cinema (foreign, independent), literature, creative writing, new places/new faces

• writing
• literature
• concerts
• festivals
• film festivals
• movies
• traveling
• music
• social work

Music, Movies, and Books

some films:Weekend (Andrew Haigh), The Ornithologist, God's Own Country, A Man of Integrity, The Edge of Heaven,Three Monkeys,Manufactured Landscapes,Workingman's Death,Masculin Feminin;films by these directors:Hirokazu Kore-eda,Fatih Akin,Tsai Ming Liang,Wong Kar Wai,Joao Pedro Rodrigues,Francois Ozon,Todd Solondz,Gregg Araki,Richard Linklater,Nagisa Oshima,Gaspar Noe,Olivier Assayas * particular affinity for French and Iranian cinema

some recent music: Geographer, Kristin Hersh, Benjamin Clementine, Benjamin Booker, Alvvays, Land of Talk, Laura Mvula, Mashrou Leila, Elliot Smith (always), Rose Windows, Daughter, Emily Haines, St. Vincent, Robert Ellis, Neko Case, Horse Thief, Horse Feathers, Sturgill Simpson, Pity Sex, Priests, Zola Blood, Black Atlass, The Blaze, Still Corners, Crocodiles, much much more. Music is vital. Always discovering.

some books: Another Country, Disgrace (Coetzee),Love and Other Obstacles, Things Fall Apart, No Logo, Mysterious Skin, The Sheltering Sky, Americanah, Gods Without Men

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

What I reflect on as amazing for me personally will probably read as mundane. I am thinking of starting from zero in both China and Turkey. Being a lone introvert nervously searching for work and slowly building up a rewarding social experience. Being a slow eating vegetarian dodging meat around every corner while not offending anyone and also ingratiating myself sufficiently that blokes are willing to sit and wait for me to finish my meal. I savor flavors, folks.

Teach, Learn, Share

cinema.music.language.anecdotes.spontaneity.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation. Ideas. Recommendations. Exploration?

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, Greece, Turkey, United States