CURRENT MISSION

Connect people all over the world for inspiring experiences that create understanding, personal growth and trust!

ABOUT ME

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to do what I do. CouchSurfing puts me in contact with some of the most incredible people from all over the globe. I love meeting new people and learning all about their lives and philosophies. If you've ever met me you may learn that I ask a lot of questions! Travel is clearly important to me but it's about more than just getting to see new places and things, it's about making special connections with people who I have so much to learn from.My hope is to keep on traveling to as many diverse places as I can, meet as many interesting people as possible, and inspire others to do the same.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe that life is a string of experiences. We can strive for frequent, intense and diverse experiences. In the end, I think this is all we'll have.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I helped create CS and I'm proud to work every day with so many talented individuals who are taking us all to the next level and beyond! The people I work with in this organization are truly amazing to me and I am thankful to be working with all of you who make this dream a reality!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been fortunate enough to travel to many different countries including at least one on six of the seven continents. Antarctica is definitely on my "to-do" list. My dream would be to stay with the surfers at McMurdo or South Pole Station. Anyone able to invite me?

I've been so busy with CouchSurfing over the last few years that I haven't actually gotten to CouchSurf as often as I would like, however, last Christmas I did get to CouchSurf in the Galapagos. It was a wonderful experience for me not only because of all the amazing people I met, but because of the fact that I was able to take a week's vacation. This meant that CouchSurfing as an organization had entered a new stage in it's evolution. Now, I'm still incredibly busy but I can rely on a number of talented people who make vacations possible. Thank you!

Interests

My favorite thing to do is learn. I love learning about people, cultures; anything really different. I'll usually listen to an audio lecture about philosophy, sociology, anthropology, anatomy/physiology or cosmology. Whenever possible, I try to go on really long hikes, often 10 miles or longer so that I can get through one of the lectures. Also, I try not to plan too much. I find I have more inspiring experiences that way – if I don't know what to expect!

Music, Movies, and Books

I don't really watch movies all that much and don't like to watch any movie more than once. The ones I do like usually have something to teach me, rather than just being for purely entertainment value. The same goes for books. I don't often read fiction as I find that I have so little time, I prefer to read books that I feel will will move me forward in life. I'm always happy to get recommendations so if you have any books you think I should read I'll be happy to add them to the100 or so already my on my list!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The first time I ever CouchSurfed, long before the idea of CouchSurfing as we know it today, was in Egypt. In the city of Giza a friend and I got to explore one of the pyramids. He was of Iranian descent so looked as though he could fit in with the people of the town. This meant we were able to travel around and see things that otherwise would have been quite difficult. With the help of some locals we were able to reach and he explore the pyramids, inside and out. It was a thrilling and deeply philosophical experience. Later we went to Luxor and made friends with an Egyptian boy and his family. We couldn't speak to them very easily. My friend may have looked the part but he was from Texas and had a thick, southern drawl. We mostly got by on gestures and a few English words that one of the daughters had picked up from working in the nearby town. Despite the fact that we were strangers, they fed us and let us sleep on benches outside of their mud hut. Early the next morning one of the daughters guided us back to our hotel on her way to work. It showed me that people are interested in getting to know you, and sharing their lives with you. The whole trip was so inspiring that and I was left asking myself "Is there a way to do this all the time?” A couple of years later I ended up finding out the answer to this question :-).

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you all about the history of CouchSurfing and all about social networking in the context of it. It's what I do every day of my life. I'm very interested in people and I've been told I'm good at helping people feel more comfortable and connecting in a way where we can all open up about ourselves. Making meaningful connections with people is important to me.

What would I like to learn? Here's something specific: I would love to learn about how to get to the South and North Poles. If anyone has any advice on how best to do this, I'm listening!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kiribati, Laos, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Thailand, United States

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