CURRENT MISSION

living my life - on a permanent holiday punctuated by several hours of work a day

ABOUT ME

I'm curious about people and enjoy meeting and learning from other people. Became a journalist to combine my love of writing with meeting people and, a bit of a cliche, but to give a voice to those who need it. Once I interviewed the Prime Minister and a homeless person on the same day!
These days in Chile I generally call myself an English teacher as that is what I do the most, but really these labels are a bit limiting. In one factory I teach English in, I ended up writing their environmental policy and also now teach managers and salespeople risk reward strategies and strategic thinking through poker, which is great fun.
What else...well I love reading non fiction and learning about history, social issues, world politics and philosophy.
Decided to give up TV totally in order to start living a bit more. I go out a lot and love good food and wine and I know the cheapest and best restaurant in Santiago.
To give something back to this city I started voluntary English teaching in a poor part of the city.

PHILOSOPHY

I seriously believe that the world economic system is the root of all evil, causing famine, war, poverty, environmental destruction etc. However, this monster is incapable of changing its nature, so its up to the peoples of the world to do it themselves.
On a more philosophical level I think energy cannot be created or destroyed, just changed and so we literally come from the stars. In 100 years I will be in the same state/place as I was 100 years ago ie. I have absolutely no idea and therefore the point is to live your life now. Also that people are intrinsically good and bad, depending on the environment they are in. So creating more equality is good as it enables people to have more control of their lives allowing the good part to emerge.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

When I left Ireland for Chile everyone said they would come over to visit. In reality, only some family did. But Ive met other travellors both from Ireland and other countries who have passed through and I have had great times chatting and touching base with the outside world which I love.
On several occasions I have become the tour guide for the day. So if people are coming to this part of the world, just drop me a line.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Several years ago a friend of mine would occasionally turn up in Carberry's - a traditional local pub in my town, with various travellors from all over. In fact at my going away party two years ago, a very nice German couple attanded with my friend which added to the international feel of the occasion.
My brother and his girlfriend have also just started a year long trek in Latin America so that spurred me to join. After all I've been living in Santiago for a while and am fairly sussed on life here, either as a tour guide or to give advice if travellors want to stay and find work as an English teacher.

Interests

I'm interested in meeting people and believe that the best travelling experiences are when you have the local touch. You know its many times the people that you remember more fondly than the place.
About 15 years ago I hitchiked across Europe and met some very kind and generous people. That's what it's all about.

• writing
• singing
• festivals
• environment
• dining
• wine
• partying
• pub crawls
• politics
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• poker
• teaching
• emergency services
• history
• journalism
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Books on a wide area of history, social issues, environment, grass roots movements, economics are all worth a read.
Love English director Ken Loach. His films often take the point of view of the ordinary person in historical moments, rather than the leaders. Refreshing. Check out The Wind that Shakes the Barley to have a brilliant understanding of the formation of the Irish Republic.
Also like action thrillers, world cinema, everthing except really silly romantic comedies.
Music, very broad, 60s, 70s, alternative - also like Irish folk music and getting into Chilean folk music too.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Edited an excellent newsletter during a 10 day student occupation in London. However, it was a highly collective effort, and very creative and exciting. Averaged three hours sleep per night and once woke up finsihing a sentence I had started a few hours before. We had great support, with bands playing for free, great debates, ideas and we ended up having a huge party after the occupation ended with was a mini festival.
I was also at the anti G8 protest in Genoa, Italy several years ago. The whole experience was brilliant. At one stage thousands of us faced off police who were behind a large metal fence. Then this dude with long rasta hair climbed to the top and waved a Bob Marley flag at which stage everyone started singing Redemption Song. I've never felt so connected to other human beings, it was probable the single best moment in my life, very difficult to describe.

Teach, Learn, Share

Well, teaching English to foreign students is an easy one for me.
And if people want to learn poker, no problem.
As for what I'd like to learn...I'd love to know how a car engine works, even though I don't drive.