Derek

I really enjoyed hearing about the CS community from Derek. He seems like a great guy, global ambassador, and someone with tons of information for any new CSer. Meet him if you can!

Derek was couchsurfing at my friend's house and we got to chat it up, cook some food, experience some nightlife. Great guy!

 

Derek is extremely involved with CSing! He is fun to talk to, outgoing and a beer snob, which appeals to me greatly! I am glad he is back in MN because now I can get to know him better ***update*** there is a lot more to Derek than beer snobbery and CS participatory, but don't worry because all of it is just as positive as those two things! If he is roaming your area or you are visiting his, he is more than worth meeting up with for a beer or coffee and a nice chat.

i met derek at an ambassadors meetup lunch and he is overflowing with couch surfing knowledge and experience. he gave me tons of good tips and advice. he is a really inspiring dude and has done lots for couchsurfing in a short amount of time. hope we can work together soon.

 

Derek is a good man, a real mensch, whose heart is as well-suited to CouchSurfing as is his mind. His devotion--as I see it--maintains an even keel, a rather fundamental quality in a CouchSurfer and nomad such as he.

Great Beer Guru!!!!!!!!!!

And a great guy all around, but he is a dedicated couchsurfer with a positive outlook and an encyclopedic knowledge of beer.

I have had him over for a Mankato CS gathering of pizza making and conversation.

 

Derek was great company. Can't imagine this man ever having any enemies, so damn friendly and good hearted. Hope our paths collide again. Learned a LOT about our country from him. Endlessly good conversation.

I can see why my brother had a good time when he stopped by Derek's party in Seattle. He had great stories to tell and good insight on good beer. Plus who doesn't like a visitor who creates a gathering of his own while in town?

 

A terrific first hosting experience. Derek is very knowledgeable about CS and is more than willing to share that knowledge. He inspired me to get more involved with my regional CSers. Plus, he wasn't put off by my wearing a cat bed as a hat! ;D

Derek was the first person I had stay with me and if every experience is even half as positive as this one, I'm super excited to let more people stay with me. I was nervous about my first hosting but he made it great within the first 5 minutes. I'd let him stay with me anytime and I hope I get a chance to see him again soon!

Derek had to sit in between Soozie and me and he somehow managed to stay in good spirits; that means he's awesome. He's a really cool & friendly guy on a neat trip. I want to hear more about your espresso, beer, wine and champagne experiences. Cheers.

 

I'm glad I got the chance to meet Derek during his stop in Minneapolis! We had some good discussions over beers at the Bulldog. He has had some cool experiences and seems like a great Nomadic Ambassador. Hope to see you at the Town Hall on Monday!

What a guy. Great friend, great laugh.

Derek was a friendly and super duper guest. We drank beer, had fun, talked about working on ships. Definitely a super surfer.

It kind of felt like talking with an old friend...we drank beer, we had a good summer feast, and fiendishly drank morning coffee...it made for a good couple days.

My husband and I had a great time with Derek and we both wish he could have stayed longer! He is polite, hilarious, very relaxed and a blast to talk with. I am very inspired by his passion and endeavors. Go out of your way to meet this man!

Derek is wonderful! He has many cities under his belt! It was awesome to chat with him for a few hours even though he did not stay with me. I wish him well on his adventurous walk across the states~

 

Great tste of the beer and coffee, as well as a cheese lover! Who could ask for more. Still excited to read "The life of Pi"..best couchsurfing gift so far. Also, talking about the travel, Alaska and life...wonderful!

 

Derek is the first CSer I met!!! He was going though Fargo & organized a dinner. He was great to talk to and very knowledgeable about beer:) His travel adventures sound amazing! Have a great stay with family Derek!

 

Derek is a Nomad of the highest caliber. His range of knowledge and his interests make him a very easy person to enjoy conversations with. He is mechanical (Thank God) and very VERY helpful. Most importantly he is an exceptional guest. "Clearly, this is NOT your donkey." :- ) Safe journeys my friend.

Derek is a good guy, and a lot of fun. He organized a CouchSurfers get-together for the CouchSurfers in my local area, as he was passing through. It was really fun, and I met some very nice people,locally. The first night we met, I introduced him to some of my friends at the local pub, and they all enjoyed meeting him. The second night, he bought a bottle of red wine, and we hung out and watched a movie. Whether we were socializing or just chillin' Derek was super relaxed and enjoying himself! If you get a chance to host him, I recommend it, as you will really enjoy meeting him.

I enjoyed Dereks company very much when I met him at a recent gathering. He is a enthusiastic adventurous young man. I was impressed with how he chipped in to help his hostess during the potluck. I am sure he would be a wonderful guest in your home.

Derek was a great guest, he gave me plenty of notice of his arrival (which I appreciate), he is a very positive, considerate person. Derek's Couch Surfing approach is very social and he inspired me to look at it more from that point of view. We celebrated International CS Day with a potluck in my back yard, and he made a killer salad. Hope you'll stop back again Derek and thanks for the great coffee!

The way Derek lives his life is an indication that he is a trustworthy person. He volunteers alot for CS, and has been hitchiking around the country, which involves putting alot of faith and trust in other people. People who do this are generally trustworthy themselves.

 

It was great getting to know Derek. He is truly an experienced couch surfer and a great cook. I wish him well on his travels across the country. Good Luck!!

Talk about a real Couch Surfer! Derek comes equiped with the official CS project sweatshirt, creates gatherings: reinforcing the community, and traveling as few can. It was truly a pleasure to have coincidentaly sat next to him.

 

Thanks for putting together the BBQ in Spokane, and inviting us. To bad I had so much to do with my exams but next time you come through let me know. Have fun!! : ^ )

I'm so grateful to Derek for helping me rally some of the Spokane CSers for a bbq. It's something we'd thought of doing but just hadn't taken the time yet. I feel encouraged now, especially after hearing how connected the Seattle CSers are. Thanks a ton, Derek!

Very interesting to talk to about his travels and would refer him or could stay at my place anytime.

 

Derek was my first hosting experience and it went very well. We had some good conversation, he got on well with the animals, and he cooked a nice impromptu meal. Hopefully I'll see him again when I'm Seattle.

Derek was a pleasure to host. Very respectful of our home and pleasant to talk to. Would certainly host again.

Derek is a great guy who made me feel welcome to Seattle. I had a great time with him and his friends at his going away party. I hope to run into his again sometime. Good luck on the way to Virginia!

He is sooo sweet and just good hearted and fun!! He goes with the flow and can be a stimulating conversationalist to a clown. It just depends on you and what the feel if the time is. It was soo good to see him again when he was in town for the Portland invasion. If your are one on list for a possible place on his walk across America Please do not over look him. You will be the one missing out on a good person and good time!! Be safe on your Journey my friend and keep in touch.

 

Derek happened to organize a couple of great events during the week I was visiting Seattle, so I had a great time getting to know him and some of the local CSers and enjoying their very active CS community -- and luckily got into town before Derek turns his back on it! I'm sure Seattle CSers will miss having him around, but I'd highly recommend CSers across the US to take him in if he comes your way this summer, and Derek, if you end up walking onto a boat (or even a plane) when you reach the other coast, I'll gladly get the couch ready for you : )

 

I am extremely impressed by Derek with his upbeat attitude and his grand plan of walking across the states. I only wish that Chico was on his route so we could spend more time talking about life and what it has in store. If Derek is out there walking in your town, take him in and give him nourishment. Just meeting him will be worth your while!

Derek is one of the best guys you could want in your city, and more important a great guy to have a beer with!

Ahoy Pedestrian! What an adventurer- Derek's walk across the US will bring him to many cs homes- and his hosts will be honored to have hosted him. A fantastic journeyer and ceaseless couchsurfing advocate- I wish him the sweetest of travels on this trek and all others.

 

Derek was courtious and entertaining guest. He is about to embark on a grand trek across the States. Host him if you can. He will no doubt have some great stories to relate about his trip. Good luck Derek!

 

There's not a selection for Way Over the Top, Metric Ass-Ton of Positive!! Just a few hours ago, Derek was standing on my freshly cut grass, and I already miss him.

- Come back someday, and shove some more chips into my mouth, please!

Had a wonderful time hanging out with Derek and the other CS'ers that we met at the Hills home.

 

He's a pretty darn good guy. I always enjoy talking to him at gatherings.\
update: I think Derek is great. Funny, smart, and knows way too much about coffee and beer!

 

Any CSer that can hang with nights of fine microbrews followed by impromptu seedy strip club hopping is alright in my book, though that certainly doesn't begin to describe this particular gentleman.
ps: If you find yourself in need of organizing of parties and the like (read: herding of proverbial cats), be sure to look this guy up. Fo sho.

 

We first met each other at a few of the Portland CS activities. It was at one such activity that he shared with us his wonderful plan of walking across the continental US (godspeed my friend). He even insisted that I not write off Seattle just yet so well that within a day I was back in Seattle.

 

Fun guy to be around with a good sense of humor. Friendly and open for interesting discussion. Very hospitable and has a taste for good beer. Look forward to hanging out with him again. Cheers.

 

Derek is an adventurous guy and good storyteller. I met him at my first CS event, which he organized. It turns out we've even been to the same little tourist town, Jaco, in Costa Rica. He made me feel welcome and didn't even give me a hard time about bailing out early to watch Battlestar Galactica.

Derek is very easy to chat with and be yourself. he's down for anything fun, and last minute. its like we have known each other for ages.

 

I met Derek at 3 CS meets in my 6 day trip to Seattle - what a legend! :-) He's a friendly and cool guy with a lot of interesting insights on the world. Although I'd never have guessed it, he's an old school computer nerd - like me, haha :-)

Derek once told me: “I wish at least one person leaves me a reference that doesn't mention beer”. So I assumed that mission, soon to realize anything I’d drafted missed a huge portion of his life and thus the reference would have been incomplete and inadequate. As such I withdrew and waited and waited until a couple of surfers accomplished what I’d failed in: Imaging Derek without beer.
I have met this friendly and nice guy many times now at many CS events and he also graciously had hosted us for an excellent dinner and a fun night. I salute his commitment and contribution to the couch surfing project and officially nominate and support him as a nomadic ambassador. Derek, best of luck to you on your *walking* tour of the states.

 

If Seattle was an ocean liner, Derek would be the Cruise Director; if an anarcho-syndicalist commune with members each taking turns to be exective officer of the week, he would be the Minister of Information -- letting everyone know about what goes on here and getting them there.

Derek gave me his undergroundtour ticket!
Thanks again!

 

Derek has been extremely active in our city's CS group; he and several other motivated travelers have gotten the events ball a-rolling! His enthusiasm for the project is contagious and I believe it's starting to spread throughout greater Seattle. I've had several good chats with Derek and look forward to many more.

 

Derek is a great organizer of people. Probably because he's such an open and welcoming person. He's a little bit hyped up on espresso, but it's part of his charm.

very active member within the seattle group. just an easy going guy who enjoys meeting new people (isn't that what couchsurfing is all about).

I knew Derek from his profile-since he`s a beer fan!- before I met him. Like I expected, he`s really a kind and friendly guy. And the best thing about him is, he`s always in for a beer and party!

 

He really has done a lot for our local CS community and it's clear he has an honest passion for what CS stands for and enjoys doing his part with it. Aside from that he's also quite trustworthy and a lot of fun to hang around and chat with as you will see, should you ever meet him.

 

Derek is the man. He makes things happen in Seattle. He is the go-to guy. Sometimes he has to go-to himself and it becomes an infinite loop and he freezes on the spot until he's rebooted.

 

Derek was a very open and friendly person. The type of person that you would want to be your friend for a long long time. He is very excited about spreading the couch surfing word around, and his enthusiasm is contagious. I'm really excited that the surfers have finally found Artemis!

 

Derek met up with us at Acadia and a lovely time was had by all. Chatting about local beer and music was great fun and I hope he swings back into town soon so we can do it again!

I met him at the Lounge in the U district when i was in town. He skipped the beer that night and went straight for the hard stuff. hehe

While in Seattle at Pike's, my friend Sheryl and I met up with Derek during his lunch break. Although our time was limited, I quickly saw that Derek is very excited about the CS project and wants to get more people involved. I hope to meet up with him again soon.

 

Derek is almost always up for a good time and knows tons of places good for a chat. Conversation always improves when Derek's around, you should definitely try and have one with him if you get the chance.

 

Derek was the first person I met when I came out for a CS event in Seattle, and just a week later he was great in helping me figure out what to do when a dinner event I was planning got bigger than expected! Seattle is lucky to have him - it's clear that he really cares about the growth and well-being of the CS organization here, as well as our place and reputation within the larger Seattle community. He's a fun guy to talk with, too!

 

Derek rocks the CS community! When he was living in Seattle, he actively organized fun CS meet-ups and constantly offered good ideas and worked with his fellow CSers to make Seattle a more cohesive community. He is overall down-to-earth, reliable, dedicated and friendly to boot! The CS Seattle community would not be what it is today (and what it is in the process of becoming!) if it weren’t for him. Now that he is working out of Minneapolis, his contributions to CS have changed somewhat in that now he is more "behind the scenes", but he still as active as ever in building a solid community no matter his location. Be sure to grab a beer (hint, hint!) with him at any venue he recommends (he’s very well acquainted with both Seattle’s and Minneapolis' restaurants, bars and pubs), whether it’s at an official CS gathering or just a one-on-one. Derek – Seattle loves you!

 

It's hard to write references for people like Derek because wow, where do you start?!! He's an absolutely AWESOME guy--honest, sincere, the kind of qualities that just scream "global ambassador material" for CS or even for other countries (except he's way too cool for politics). We met up where I was staying and took a rather long... longer than expected :)... walk to grab some food, then we went to a cool little bar. The only serious trouble that comes with hanging out with Derek is that it is SO difficult to leave! He's a connoisseur of fine alcoholic beverages, a somewhat finicky person on a lot of things that deserve selectiveness (especially to me, since I'm also finicky about em).

Even though he can't really host, since I was in quite a bind, he gave me plenty of options in case I didn't figure anything out, and that alone was priceless to a tired, stressed, unexpectedly homeless traveler. It doesn't hurt to mention that he wears really cool hats and looks wicked when he tosses on his dress coat and skirts around town, owning the city. SO, take any one part of my interaction with him and you have an extremely great time... take all of them combined and you have me struggling to give time to others because I honestly can't imagine anyone who embraces CS and its sense of community not absolutely loving every minute with him. OK, so admittedly, he and I also have really complimentary personalities, which doesn't happen with every connection, but definitely give this guy a chance and you'll leave SO fulfilled, so happy, so cool feeling even. So yeah, Derek ROCKS! I can't wait to host him!

 

If good beer is flowing and the cheese is smelling, you know Derek is around. I assume we'll be bumping into each other again, somewhere at some weird time... the world is just too small

 

Derek is an awesome and interesting traveling partner. We talked about everything under the sun for 5+ hours.
We'll definitely get together with other Seattle CS's again soon. Oh, and he's also from MN. Good people!

This guy knows his beer...So we get on like two drunks in brewery!
Hopefully we'll catch up when I head to Seattle.

Derek couchsurfed few days in the flat of Bastien with us. Had good discution around few bottles of wine with also 3 guys from texas. Seem like a nice person I would of liked know him more.

Derek is awesome! Great conversation and over all a great person!

 

Had good fun talking about beer with Derek. I thought I knew a lot about beer, but yeah, this guy is a true connaisseur. Good fun in Paris!

I had the chance to meet Derek while he was traveling in Nantes looking for some great beers over the area. I was extremly surprised of his good french !

I met Derek in Paris. He knows more about Belgian beers than a lot of Belgians, and he showed some fantastic pictures of his trip to Alaska. Good luck with your trip through Europe!

 

Derek is great ! He has an amazing knowledge of beer, wine and cheese, is open-minded, travel easily :) I just can't wait to see him again, taste his home-brewed beer and get a feedback from his journey ! Enjoy your trip and see you soon or New York or Seattle !