General Information
| Travis Jones has been vouched for |
| VERIFIED MEMBER Name and Address Locked more info |
| Couch available | Yes |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 100% |
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| member since | February 16th, 2007 |
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| profile views | 739 |
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| age | 24 |
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| gender | Male |
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| membername | JONETRAV |
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| occupation | Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer |
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| education | Many years of primary school and secondary school, Undergrad at the University of Michigan |
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| grew up in | Ann Arbor, MI, USA |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages- English (United States)Expert
- SpanishIntermediate
Groups I Belong ToCouch Information
Couch Available: Yes Preferred Gender: Any Max Surfers Per Night: 2
Shared Sleeping Surface: Depends Shared Room: Dependsa tijera (scissor-like saco-bed), a hammock, or in my bed, complete with a 2-inch foam mattress and cat (with or without me, depending on your preferences). I am currently living in the rural campo setting of Los Panales, north of El Sauce, Leon. My house consists of Don Jacinto and Dona Petrona, two of their daughters, who both have between one and three kids, another daughter's four children (who's off working in Managua but comes to visit every once in a while), a few other random kids, and the occasional son who drops by to visit, with or without his own children. Lots of kids, a few teenagers, several young adults, and then the older folks. Never a dull moment at my place!
I share my little casita with two boys, both of the age of 15 and share a room, and I have the other room. I have a full-sized bed, and there is an extra saco-bed (called a tijera, or scissors) that we can pull out for you, or you can sleep in the hammock that I will soon be buying. the hammock will probably be outside, but it's hot and dry enough that mosquitos only come out for the month of October. If there are two of you, you can have my bed and I'll sleep in the hammock or tijera.
Life in the Campo is very laid back and relaxed. the kids spend most of their free time playing trompo (spin-top) or (unfortunately) watching tv. the boys are really into Dragonball Z. the whole family watches the novelas. I don't watch much tv, myself. Reading and listening to music, or going out and playing baseball or soccer is enough for me.
as for transportation, there is only one bus that comes by my house, and it departs from El Sauce daily at 7am and at noon. the bus to Achuapa passes nearby, but it's another 1.5 km or so to my house. But if I know you're coming I can meet you out there with a bicycle, and it's really not too bad a ride. there's also a hotel in El Sauce you can stay at for pretty cheap too, in case you get in and wanna wait till the next day to take the bus.
I'm also down to meet up in El Sauce or Leon if you're not so interested about campo life, and we can do some awesome volcano boarding or hiking or whatever. Good times abound in Nicaragua, and life is cheap! Safe travels, and hope to see you soon!
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, there are also lots of dogs, two cats, a whole heap of chickens and the occasional cow or horse, so if animals aren't your thing, I'd stay away from the campo. We wake up early and go to bed early, too, so if you don't like rising and setting with the sun, again, stay away from the campo. We have a bucket bath and fancy manual pump well for water, complete with clorination. Hasn't given me diharrea yet, so hopefully it won't for you either. Nobody smokes, and nobody really drinks either (except for the drunks), so if you're down for that kinda stuff, meet me in Leon and we can talk. Friends (48)
Leslie Patterson 26, Female Brooklyn, New York United States Friends since November 2008 "We're kindred spirits of sorts, I'd say " Friendship Type: Best Friend
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Erik Jones 21, Male Grand Rapids, Michigan United States Friends since November 1988 "My bro" Friendship Type: Close Friend
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Corin Blust 22, Female Ann Arbor, Michigan United States "we were roommates"
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Greg Woods 25, Male Washington, D. C. United States Friends since November 2004 "Through friends from college" Friendship Type: Good Friend
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Pieter Hogoboom 25, Male Telica, Leon Nicaragua Friends since May 2009 "Fellow Peace Corps Volunteer" Friendship Type: Friend
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Laura Rosbrow 24, Female San Francisco, California United States Friends since September 2006 "We were in the coops together in Ann Arbor" Friendship Type: Friend
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Derek Peterson 22, Male Ann Arbor, Michigan United States Friends since January 2008 "We work together." Friendship Type: Acquaintance
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Shannon Tubb 30, Female Ann Arbor, Michigan United States Friends since September 2005 "I was a staff member at ICC-Ann Arbor while he was a member and president." Friendship Type: Friend
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VITAILLE 22, Female Ann Arbor, Michigan United States Friends since September 2002 "Good ol' high school and indoor soccer" Friendship Type: Friend
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Sammi Lonsdale 19, Female Livonia, Michigan United States Friends since June 2008 "Met on OKC last year" Friendship Type: Good Friend
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Personal DescriptionWell, Mr. World Traveler is now an official Volunteer for the United States Peace Corps! I am serving in the Agricultural program in a super-rural area of Nicaragua, teaching kids about vegetable gardens, reforestry techniques, food processing, english and dancing. Also working with a local sesame seed co-op to help improve their organizational structure and utilize their group capital. Hope to soon be working with a women's group in the area to help build ovens out of barrels, bricks and horse crap, maybe even do some commercialization projects! Hell, we might even start a Green Market here in El Sauce, the sky's the limit! Come visit and see all the cool stuff going on in the Campo of Nicaragua!
I love traveling, meeting new people, and helping out with projects (yeah, that sounds strange, but it's true!). I also love taking pictures, making music, chilling out, cooking and doing dishes. I'm a strange guy, maybe, but I'm super-friendly and I love hearing other peoples' perspectives. What do you think?How I Participate in CSWhen not doing official volunter stuff for Peace Corps, I'm all about Surfing, hosting, planning/attending local group events, facilitating surfers in the pursuit of Rocking Out.
World Visitor MapCouchSurfing ExperienceSurfed in Amsterdam, Vienna, Berlin, Bonn Germany, and Ghent Belgium last summer. Over the past couple of months, surfed domestically in Charlotte, Charleston, Savannah, Athens (GA), Terlingua (TX), Santa Fe, Flagstaff, and Prescott (AZ), Tucson and San Diego. Keep it comin!!
Also, despite Ann Arbor's lack of a tourism industry I have hosted one group of four student/travelers from Japan, South Korea, Brazil and South Africa, respectively. All great times, all great people! I am a CS ADDICT!!Interests- The Cooperative Movement (check out the ICA or NCBA websites for more info, or just buy me a beer)
- Music of all kinds (listening, learning, creating)
- Macintosh computers
- Movies (netflix is beginning to control my life...)
- Whatever your interests are...PhilosophyDo what you love, don't take shit, believe in yourself, think outside the box, connect the dots, live every day as if it were your last.Music, Movies, BooksI love movies, I've seen way too many. I also love music of all types and sorts. If you have movies or artists/songs that you love, I can probably recommend a movie or artist that you haven't heard before and you'll love it!Types of People I enjoyFriendly, open, communicative people. People who have interesting stories or live interesting lives. Pretty much anyone that isn't an asshole.Teach, Learn, ShareI can teach anyone who's interested how to start a Co-op. Does your community need something that it doesn't have access to or could be provided more affordably? Start a Co-op!Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States LIVED: Italy References
From Donny and Brooke Peachtree City, United States Oct 8 Positive Our time staying with Travis at his host family's was great! Working with him at a school, eating his "mom"s delicious cooking and playing with the dozens of kids tramping through his yard, we had an excelent time. Thanks again Travis and we look forward to repaying the courtesy someday!
From Trina Vila Fontana, United States Mar 11 Positive Travis was very friendly and super chill dude. We shared a awesome night of bar hopping,pool games,and ended up on the beach playing ultimate frisbee. He even gave me a super sandy foot rub lol. I would surf with him again in a heartbeat.
From Isabel Sorg Tucson, United States Mar 10 Positive Travis brought his buddy down to tucson for a night and they were the best first couch surfers i could have asked for! i do hope to see ya again, Travis! Bonne Voyage!
From Victoria Flynn Charleston, United States Mar 6 Positive Technically my second couchsurfer :) Travis was cool, and I think his roadtrip is pretty awesome. I felt bad b/c I got busy and left him to himself a bit, but he was a good guest, and I enjoyed hosting him. Of course, welcome back whenever.
From Annie Eby Santa Fe, United States Mar 3 Positive Was really fun to have Travis. He taught my housemates and I to play euchre, introduced us to some good Texan beer, and made us laugh a lot. Thanks for coming (and for the peanut butter, too).
From Kelli OKeefe Buena Vista, United States Mar 2 Positive We had such a good time hosting Travis. He's a great person, and know that he will go very far. Enjoy the rest of your travels, and good luck in the peace corp!!
From Heidi Pierce Flagstaff, United States Mar 1 Positive Travis was an awesome couchsurfer!! He hung out with us for Fat Tuesday and had a blast! I had many intellectual conversations. Had a great time while he was here!! Good luck on the rest of your travels.
From Andrew Stowe North Sandwich, United States Feb 23 Positive Travis is a laid-back, fun guy. We chilled out over beers at the starlight, lit off some fireworks, and rocked out around the bonfire (need more Ramblin Man!) at Cynta's place in Terlingua. Hopefully we can meet up again farther on down the dusty trail.
From Cynta de Narvaez Terlingua, United States Feb 22 Positive Travis is an absolute sweetheart. A delight of a man and a wonderful addition to our CS February convention.
Travis is always welcome here at my house in Terlingua.
From Rachel Ulrich Ann Arbor, United States Feb 21 Positive I lived with Travis for a year in our co-op. He's great to spend time with and easy/relaxing to talk to.
From PICHIPICONAUTA Buenos Aires, Argentina Feb 20 Positive Travis is a great person. He is a good photographer, an amaissing geocasher, a wonderful company and a karaoke fanatic.
It was a lot of fun to dicover a little bit of Terlingua with him.
From Ron Heilig Savannah, United States Feb 18 Positive Travis is a man with fresh and youthful zeal to make the world a better place. We wish you the best in your travels!
From INTREPID_TRAVELER Charlotte, United States Jan 25 Positive Travis is a cool laid back guy. Only staid one night, but would definitly host again.
From Cliff Williams Ann Arbor, United States Jan 15 Positive After seeing his posts on the group forum, and hearing about him from others, I finally got to meet Travis at his last meetup in Ann Arbor for quite some time. He is a nice fellow and I admire his willingness to join the Peace Corps and take some time off to road-trip around America. Good luck, have a blast and be safe!
From Allyson Powell Lynchburg, United States Jan 15 Positive Travis is very personable. He made me feel very welcome when I didn't know anyone and I really enjoyed my time spent with him.
From Theresa&Christian Muenster, Germany Jan 15 Positive I met Travis at several gatherings of the local Ann Arbor CS group. He hosted an awesome barbecue meet-up at his place and since then we've met at several occasions. He's an interesting, always friendly guy and has some exciting life plans right now. If you can meet him during his road trip, don't miss out on that! Good luck, Travis!
From Raul Moz Dowagiac, United States Oct 29, 2008 Positive I stayed one night at travis's home with more three friends. He and his mother are great people. His house is very beatiful and confortable, but they were the best part, always happy and friendly, they made me feel like at home. I am very glad for have known people like them. They are more than invited to stay in my house in brazil, whenever there is an opportunity. I know that Brasilia is not so interesting for turism, but I could help to find a place in some city kkk.
From Franziska Boernicke Hamburg, Germany Feb 13, 2008 Positive I would say he's one of the few people, that can really make the world a better place one day! Philosopher, Traveler, Organizer... Allround-Talent.
From David Lamb Ann Arbor, United States Jan 25, 2008 Positive I sat with Travis on the ICC board of directors. All my experiences with Travis have been great. He's honest and straight forward, up for good conversation and very interested in starting cooperative things everywhere. Overall, great guy.
From Greg Woods Washington, United States Jan 23, 2008 Positive Travis is a good friend. He is always there to offer help and to have a good time.
From James Perry Ann Arbor, United States Dec 30, 2007 Positive We went to high school together, and then later I witnessed Travis' rise to power as head of the Michigan ICC.
Travis is just a really cool guy - friendly, laid back, and quite witty. You won't regret surfing with him.
From Nick Whocares? Los Angeles, United States Aug 18, 2007 Positive I traveled on two separate week-long spring breaks with Travis and he's very friendly and helpful. He's always up for fun times and knows how to laugh like me!
From Laura Rosbrow San Francisco, United States Jun 17, 2007 Positive Travis is a very responsible, fun, all-around good guy!
From Frank Martin-Buck Ann Arbor, United States Jun 10, 2007 Positive I've known Travis since elementary school and I have to say that he is a really fun and outgoing person. He's always fun to be around. By the way, I'm both impressed and jealous that he's in Nicaragua for two years for the Peace Corp.
From BRAM AND NELE Dendermonde, Belgium May 25, 2007 Positive Travis is a nice guy who only stayed one night at our place. We went for a drink and he even introduced us to a new bar in Ghent. Thanks for the hint Travis!
From Alix Reynolds Ann Arbor, United States May 24, 2007 Positive Travis is a great person to spend time with! He's very friendly and funny and has good things to say. I'm so glad you came to Bonn! :P
From Tom Asten Bonn, Germany May 24, 2007 Positive He stayed in my appartment two nights together with his brother Eric. He is a open minded person with good humor and interested in football.
From Anil Sachdev Prague, Czech Republic May 20, 2007 Positive Got a strange feeling I've met this guy before, i joke. Travis is tres cool, he partied hard on a boat with me and some friends for my 21st birthday. I'd love to leave you a well detailed reference now Travis but i'm afraid I really don't remember much. All the best
From Keith Killen Vancouver, Canada May 20, 2007 Positive Met him on a boat cruise in Czech....and by coincidence wound up surfing in the same place in Berlin.
From Caspar Bauermann Berlin, Germany May 19, 2007 Positive Travis is a cool guy who stayed here 2 nights in May 07. Together with Keith&Megan we hang around quite alot, ate at an italian restaurant, played a (american) boardgame twice and went to a club. I would definatly host him again. See you!
From Sigi Feldbacher Vienna, Austria May 15, 2007 Positive he is the most uncomplicating and helpful person! helped me to carry things around, went with me through vienna to buy soil for my flowers, and spent a nice evening with my flatmate and me drinking beer. he even would have cooked us some typical american food, if we had let him, but...
nice, open, enjoied to spend time with him!!
From Martin Gevonden Amsterdam, Netherlands May 7, 2007 Positive It was great fun hosting Travis! He was part of a little couchsurfing commune in my livingroom. He can passionately tell about co-ops over a beer. Does not shun to go dancing either, dazzling the local ladies with his moves ;)
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