CURRENT MISSION: Listen more, Meeting people from different places, backgrounds and cultures. ABOUT ME: I’m an easygoing, open-minded guy “I guess” I work in sales and I like business. I love traveling, any kind of sports and having deep conversations. I have some experiences in camping in Kurdistan. I really love new experiences especially the crazy ones I like to learn more about other cultures and It's always a pleasure to meet new people and hear their stories. I travel to learn and to live Photos don’t show the reality , so let’s live the reality. PHILOSOPHY: Keep it simple , it’s only one life enjoy it.

I am a calm person who like to work. honest and helping person. i love to work hard and to be able to help people in need

I am from Estonia, a country of one million. But after 17 years of living abroad would consider myself of a global citizen. My first career was as a Restaurant Manager so will forever love, appreciate and seek out good food and drinks. I love to cook and try new food, if you invite me for a food tour we will be best friends! After working in some of the finest hotels in London and Dubai I needed a change. Since then have been working with humanitarian NGOs in the conflict affected areas of Middle East. My interest in world affairs, politics, security, conflict and peace building prompted me to complete a masters in International Relations. I am also deeply interested in anthropology, culture and languages, especially of the Middle East and love to travel and discover this region.

URGENT: SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW COUCHSURFING WEBSITE I AM UNABLE TO RESPOND TO ANY REQUESTS (TO STAY OR FRIEND OR ANYTHING ELSE) DUE TO A TECHNICAL GLITCH. I TOLD COUCHSURFING SUPPORT RIGHT AWAY BUT SO FAR THERE IS NO FIX. APOLOGIES FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE CONTACTED ME - THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. CURRENT MISSION Change how people communicate (take time to understand rather than just agree or disagree), contribute to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation in Kurdistan. ABOUT ME I am Canadian. They would say I am warm, friendly, kind, that I love to learn and laugh. They would say I connect dots - I am good at seeing connections and patterns. They would say I am thoughtful, analytical, and philosophical. PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS: - WHEN YOU STAY WITH ME PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE A CLOTH/REUSABLE BAG FOR SHOPPING. LET US REDUCE THE USE OF SINGLE USE PLASTICS. - ALSO, PLEASE GET A WATER FILTER, FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS TO REDUCE IF NOT ELIMINATE PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO WASTE (such as https://grayl.com/ - I have no connection with Grayl other than as a user). Neither of these items is heavy or takes much space. I HAVE BEEN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACTIVE SINCE I WAS FOURTEEN (many decades ago!) AND I BELIEVE EACH OF US HAS A DUTY/RESPONSIBILITY TO REDUCE WASTE, ESPECIALLY PLASTIC. CATS!! There are no animal services in Kurdistan so I foster cats for the Duhok Cat Rescue Team until they can find good homes for them. The result of this is there are cats/kittens in almost every room in the house, most waiting for new homes. And this means you need to be comfortable with feline companions! ALSO, if you know anyone - friend or family - that might want to ADOPT A CAT from here, please let me know. It is fairly common for cats to be adopted and taken back to Europe by foreigners: the paperwork is fairly straightforward, just takes a few months and some money. Because Kurds are not a culture that has a tradition of having pets, I have a few adorable cats that no one here has adopted and who would love to travel to find a real family. VISAS!! KURDISTAN I AM TOLD THE WEBSITE SAYS THAT THE VISA TO KURDISTAN IS FREE: THAT WAS TRUE UNTIL AUTUMN OF 2020. NOW IT COSTS BETWEEN US$70-$75 FOR 30 DAYS - AND I WAS JUST TOLD THAT NOW THE VISA IS AVAILABLE ONLINE OR AT THE BORDER BUT THEY DO NOT WANT PAYMENT IN CASH. YOU CAN RENEW YOUR KURDISH VISA TWICE FOR A TOTAL STAY OF 90 DAYS BEFORE NEEDING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. EACH RENEWAL COSTS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL VISA. IRAQ THE VISA YOU RECEIVE ON ENTERING KURDISTAN IS NOT THE SAME VISA YOU RECEIVE FOR GOING TO IRAQ. STARTING AUTUMN 2024 SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO ENTER IRAQ WITH A KURDISH VISA, GOING TO MOSUL VIA CERTAIN ROADS. THIS IS NOT 100%. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER KURDISTAN WITH AN IRAQI VISA BUT NOT ALWAYS THE OTHER WAY AROUND. VEHICLES FOR THOSE OF YOU TRAVELLING BY BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE, OR CAR, PLEASE NOTE THAT APPARENTLY WHEN YOU GET A VISA TO KURDISTAN AT A LAND ENTRY POINT, YOUR VISA WILL NOTE YOU ARE TRAVELLING WITH A VEHICLE. THIS CAN PREVENT YOU FROM FLYING FROM ERBIL/SILEMANI TO BAGHDAD AS KURDISTAN DOES NOT WANT YOU TO LEAVE YOUR VEHICLES IN KURDISTAN. THIS IS NOT 100% BUT HAS PREVENTED MANY TRAVELLERS FROM BOARDING THEIR FLIGHTS TO BAGHDAD - IT IS HIT AND MISS, DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC OFFICIAL. BE AWARE! http://ca.linkedin.com/in/kathleenedewitt PHILOSOPHY Growing older is absolutely no excuse for growing up. Idealistic realist or pragmatic idealist.... Places to go, people to meet, things to learn.... Rabble rouser and pot stirrer.... Em hemi peshmergayna - We are all peshmerga! Have fun, learn lots, and make a difference.