I am a free-spirited traveler and photojournalist currently on a two-year cycling tour of the African continent. I moved to Nepal in 2012 to escape the United States, and have never looked back. In previous lives, I have been a skydiver, paraglider pilot, computer programmer, and musician.

For me, experiencing the world first-hand is both passion and purpose. It is why I get out of bed every morning and move further out of my comfort zone into the unknown. I approach everyone I meet as a peer and a friend, and love nothing more than learning how to see things from the perspective of others.

I gave up a lucrative career as a software architect to pursue this different path, and I look forward to meeting you, and sharing thoughts and moments.

Namaste,
---jim

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here primarily to help make my dream of circumnavigating the African continent a reality. I have been planning this trip for more than two years, and have assembled a group of supporters who help me meet my basic needs, but my budget is tiny. I spend most of my time living in my tent, but this is often impossible (and undesirable) in urban areas, and it doesn't typically help me make connections to locals.

I can spin it with fancy words, but the truth is simply that I need the world's help and friendship in order to breathe life into my dreams. Fortunately, the world is full of such kindness and compassion, and hope.

Thanks for taking the time to read this through...and all the best to you and yours.

Interests

• literature
• photography
• politics
• cycling
• backpacking
• skydiving
• paragliding

Music, Movies, and Books

This list would be too long. I have 11 years of university-level education in music: composition and conducting. I haven't been active in the field for decades, but my interest in music (all sorts, and I actually mean that) has only grown over time.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Rode my bicycle across Mongolia, alone (2015).
Lived in a Nepali village where I was the first outsider ever to visit.

What I Can Share with Hosts

This is a tough one. Obviously we can share experiences and stories. And respect and interest in their lives and cultures and families. And smiles. Practically, I'm happy to take professional quality photographs of my host and host families and provide those for use (that's a win-win situation for me: I love candid, natural portraits). Of course I have lots of practical information I can share regarding travel in Nepal or Mongolia or India.

I can ultimately only share myself--openly and honestly and with respect.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Benin, Canada, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Denmark, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ireland, Italy, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Turkey, United States, Western Sahara

Countries I’ve Lived In

Côte d'Ivoire, Germany, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Togo, United States