Hello! I enjoy intelligent conversations, friendly people, and engaging experiences. I backpacked a fair amount of eastern Europe when I was a teenager, and I lived and travelled around Asia when I was in the military in my early 20s. In my 30s, I travelled around the USA on my motorcycle and have done a lot of camping. I currently make my living as a registered nurse, but I only work part-time, because I spend a lot of time and energy doing other things that I love (like music, reading/watching non-fiction).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think the best part of travel is meeting new people and having adventures in beautiful places. When I host, I like to share my city with people, and try to make it easy and comfortable for visitors. Making a trip a wonderful experience, creating good memories, making new friends, and growth is what it's all about!

Interests

I like it when people share their art with me and express an interest in mine :)

• arts
• photography
• dancing
• trivia
• music
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• history
• science
• outdoors
• motorcycling
• drumming

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Listening to Santigold right now. Earlier this morning I awoke to Santo and Johnny. The next song might be opera. I have a large music library, and gravitate to toward rhythmic and dance genres like house, disco, funk, and soul. I also like music from other parts of the world such as Bollywood, traditional Indian ragas, Persian dumbeks and gypsy guitars - you name it!

Movies - Recently I watched a Werner Herzog documentary, and I've been into watching Robert Anton Wilson lectures the last few weeks. I love me some David Lynch, Orson Welles, and other surreal stuff in general that makes me feel like I'm dreaming-while-awake :) Watched an indie Australian Film called "Spirits of the Air, Gremlins of the Clouds" recently - that was pretty surreal.

"Books" - I finished "The Good Earth" - a novel about a Chinese farming family - written in 1931 by the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. She grew up in China - very cool. The other night I was reading analysis of "Gulliver's Travels", but I haven't read the actual book yet - I might do that soon. I'm learning more about blogs, especially from authors in cities I'm visiting.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When I was a sailor, I swam (for fun) in the open Indian Ocean alongside an aircraft carrier that was over 20 stories high. It was exhilarating! I also gravitate to hot springs and waterfalls. IDK, maybe I'm part fish?

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach - I can show you some chords on guitar, or some drum rhythms. I know a lot about the music program, Ableton. I also went to massage school and can teach that. I know a lot about nursing homes, because that's where I have worked.

Learn - One couchsurfing gathering I learned a hand game that can be played with many people in a circle. You smack your hands on the ground in certain patterns based on the the previous turn of a player. That was fun. I like learning about people in general - seeing the world through their eyes. I love to hear stories and opinions.

Share - A laugh, conversation, game, cup of Chai, drum circle jam, walk, or anything else :) I believe wonderful moments can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good times, a curious spirit, and positive vibes :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

Japan, United States