CURRENT MISSION

To explore the world and enjoy my life.

ABOUT ME

In 2012 I left everything behind to spent a year in my favorite city and travel Europe and the US for six months. Eight years later, after leaving everything behind at least four times, I finally made it to the US and decided to return back home. However, I never lost the travel bug, so I still like to hit the road whenever my more settled life allows. Meanwhile, I did make the most of my current sedentary lifestyle to developed some new hobbies: bouldering and competitive dodgeball.

Over the years I learned how to carry a conversation, what fish sperm tastes like, and why people enjoy walking for days up and down mountains with everything they own strapped to their back. I've lived on a tropical island, drove a tractor into a tree, and got paid to talk about things I'd ramble on about for free. For a guy only really starting to think about getting into a career and the other regular trappings of life at 33, I've honestly done pretty well.

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind, be responsible, but do enjoy yourself.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

After years of sleeping in strangers' houses all over the world, I am finally able to invite surfers over into my own home. When I initially found myself in an apartment that allows me to pay back the incredible kindness I've received from so many others, covid struck. Then couchsurfing changed, and I turned my back on the whole thing for a while. I'm only now dipping my toes into the scene again. Come find me on other websites as well, like BeWelcome and Trustroots!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurging has given me some of my very best experiences and memories and my travels would not have been the same without it. This was true when I first updated my profile years ago and is still true today.

Interests

There are few things in my life that I enjoy as much as spending days hiking and camping in the mountains that are so alien to my native home. There's little like doubting all your life's decisions that have let you to struggle up a steep mountain slope in the pouring rain with an overburdened pack, only to reach the end with the greatest feeling of satisfaction and with every intention to do it all over again.

But if there is something I enjoy as much, or even more, it would be history. From early age I've enjoyed reading and talking about the past and after traveling all these exotic countries and having experiences I would've never imaged, I still ask little more of the future than to keep me engaged in history, maybe with a couple of students and a few nice maps on the wall.

I love to read, I enjoy wasting my time online yet am annoyed by how much time I waste, I like walking or cycling on a sunny day, I love food more than I probably should but wouldn't care to change it, I get joy from the sense of adventure that comes with exploring the unknown, I like board games and video games, and I am completely content simply being around people that allow you to just be yourself while they do the same.

• board games
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• teaching
• history
• mountains
• food

Music, Movies, and Books

Imagine Dragons is probably favorite band. Beyond that, there are too many things I enjoy to point out clear favorites. I've also really gotten into podcasts over the years, especially those covering history, politics, and science.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Spent a freezing night alone on top of an active volcano. Hitchhiked in a truck through the Iranian desert with my mother. Lived in Rome. Taught. Chased a shark. Flew in a helicopter. Got lost on a mountain. Found my way back. Got lost again. Made friends for life. Took thousands of photos. Lost thousands of photos. Had some really good coffee.

I call all of this "travel" so it's technically One Amazing Thing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a teacher, even though I'm not technically employed as one right now. I taught English. I taught History. I teach about everything I know. Sometimes, people even listen.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Well, I've got a few stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cambodia, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Taiwan