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  • Last login 13 days ago

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Overview

  • 57 references 31 Confirmed & Positive
  • Fluent in English; learning Spanish, Tagalog
  • 43, Male
  • Member since 2009
  • Formerly in I.T., then a Yachtie, then I.T. Mixed in some...
  • Bachelors Degree
  • From Orlando, FL, USA
  • Profile 100% complete

About Me

CURRENT MISSION

To eat unusual things, meet unusual people, and see unusual places. And to help where I can.

ABOUT ME

I went to NZ to see something different, learn about a different culture, and make new friends...and then I stayed....for 8 wonderful years. Here's what else I've been up to (from now, to the past)

2022 - Europe travel in the summer and NZ in Dec for a wedding.
2021 - Went back to NZ for 4 Covid free months
2020 - Travelled in my Airstream to Yellowstone and Florida.
2019 - Worked in DC for a few months.
Apr 2018 - Left work to volunteer/travel.
May 2017 - Visit old connections in Europe
Mar 2014 - Moved to Austin, TX
Feb 2014 - Savannah
Dec 2013 - NY, NJ, Philly
Nov 2013 - Costa Rica and Panama
Sep 2013 - Austin, TX to visit
July 2013 - Belgium and surrounding areas for a friends wedding and music festivals.
June 2013 - Florida to see friends and family
May 2013 - Travel around Europe to see old friends and make new friends.
Aug 2012 - April 2013 - I was working on a yacht, in the South of France.
Jan - July 2012 - Sailing around the Atlantic.
Nov 2011 - Left my IT job in New Zealand, to pursue yachting.
2009 - I did a 6 month trip around the world, CouchSurfing for much of it.
2004 - Moved to New Zealand, from Florida.

Other stuff:
I've always enjoyed making jokes and joking around with people. I actually gave stand-up a go a few times since moving to NZ. Sure it's been a little scary, but I had nothing to lose and it's a great experience! (and I've discovered my sense of humour is more British than American) I haven't done a gig since Nov 06, but I'm seriously thinking about doing it again when I get back from my travels.

Pets: I love animals, so don't worry about having me around them. One person even called me the 'cat whisperer' because I was able to coax their very shy cat to sit on my lap.

PHILOSOPHY

I think we can all do a small part to help make the world a better place. I've volunteered quite a bit, and really enjoy the sense of achievement you get from helping others.

And my travelling philosophy - to avoid the touristy things, and get to know the people that make the place what it is.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm all about seeing a place through people who live there. I don't care for the touristy stuff much at all. I'd rather share a dish that is typically from the area, with no English menus.

In Austin I've taken a ton of CSers out sailing. I like showing people the things off the beaten path. Haven't hosted much lately thanks to living way outside the city and not being home much.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have hosted some amazing CSers, and been hosted by amazing people. It's my preferred way to discover an area, and to travel.

Oh, and in December 2009 I had a unique CS experience, surfing with my mom around the NE US. We stayed in a house full of CS'ers in Boston, and with some Menonites (similiar to Amish) in Pennsylvania.

Interests

Music, sports, travel, volunteering, meeting people from different cultures. And sailing. I got to sail across the Atlantic twice in 2012! And have introduced 898 people to sailing in Austin.

  • animals
  • pets
  • cats
  • culture
  • music festivals
  • festivals
  • yachting
  • traveling
  • socializing
  • music
  • surfing
  • sailing
  • skydiving
  • sports
  • volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Too many to list right now :-)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Got 3 :-)

Crossing the Atlantic 2x in 2012 and seeing so many stars, and being totally self reliant. Got my first one via CS!

Staying on a rice farm in Cambodia, 2009. I met a local thanks to a bout of travelers diarrhea, and we ended up becoming friends. Long story short, we took an impromptu road trip to the rice farm he grew up on, and it was a really enlightening experience.

Skydiving over Queenstown, NZ, 2006. Such a rush. And I got some pretty cool pics from it too!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Recipes, stories, jokes, how to get into sailing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Laos, Martinique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (French part), Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, New Zealand, United States

Old School Badges

  • 8 Vouches
  • Pioneer Badge

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