CURRENT MISSION

To condense inspirational, profound witticisms about life or myself in single sentences.

ABOUT ME

Hey there, I'm just another backpacking bum trying to conquer the world in my own brief lifetime. I started late so have a lot of caching up to do. Travel has opened my eyes and heart to peoples and places I used only to dream of as a tv addicted kid (a habit I've shaken thank god), its given me experiences and friends to cherish and is a constant motivation to reach beyond my comfort zone.

Traditionally pretty quiet, I used to just prefer to be in the background playing a tune on my guitar but finding that the more people I meet on my adventures the more outgoing I've become. I'd like to think that I'm a fairly laid back guy, a social chameleon who's not too opinionated and tries not to take life too seriously, it is too short as they say! Living in a new land and loving it, back to school for a spell before I tie myself down.

2025 Update:
Wow, it seems a lifetime ago since I was immersed in the world of travel. After University and a few idle years I took the plunge with some friends to go to India. It changed my entire perspective on life and from that point on I was hooked. I continued exploring there for six months, moved on to Nepal, then Thailand. Half a year had passed and by this time I had the courage to venture solo. So off I went to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia before running out of funds. I had to fly home but made a few stops along the way to Israel and Greece.

I racked my brain as to how one reintegrates to their old life after such a year of experiences. Each morning I would wake and recount the adventures I had with special people and the wonderous vistas I had seen. There was only one thing for it. Work for a year, buy nothing, save everything. twelve months later I was back in India for six months, Pakistan for two, Nepal for three. This would be my life...for ever....

Well life has a way of laughing at your intentions, forever was a short time. I continued my travels somewhat by moving to the UK and living in Bath. What a place! I surrounded myself with other blow ins, mostly language students, and I embarked on the next project; becoming a high school teacher while hosting people from around the world on this amazing new platform. You may have heard of it. A novel way to pay back the good karma I had received from so many people from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. Bath is a beautiful place and people flocked to it. I loved the guests, hearing the stories of their own travels and each time amending my bucket list of places to visit based on recommendations.

I graduated, got my first teaching role, met and married my beautiful wife and we continued our love of travel together. It became a different type of travel, far less frequent and not so much roughing it I must admit. I completely forgot about Couchsurfing for almost a decade and it was only last year during my summer break I got the bug to have another 'adventure'. I bought my first ever Interrail pass and on a shoestring budget, alighted a train to Paris. From there Italy, top to bottom, and ferry to Spain. It all came flooding back to me. Me, my guitar and the random kindness of strangers.

Although I hosted dozens of people at my place, life stepped in before I had much chance to surf others' sofas. I'm hoping to get back into it on my newest adventure to the Tatra mountains this summer.

PHILOSOPHY

No major life enforcing motto's, I like to let things happen and go with it, I don't want to become too stressed a person and I've gotten to where I am through all my past experiences, and since I'm pretty content with who I am I don't have time for regrets.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well I'm only new to this concept, two of my travel companions in India told me about their couch surfing exploits and I was blown away by the idea. Such a cool way to meet people from all over the world and share experiences, I'm all for it and hope to participate in the near future.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first CS experience was with a cool Spanish couple living in Bristol (wicked city if your thinking of going by the way) when I was looking for a place here. Well I found one and now it's time to spread the good deed. I hosted a wonderful girl from Australia and really enjoyed accompanying her around this beautiful place and want to continue in this vain.

2025 Update: Well, I did end up "participating in the near future" and did so for a long time. I am so happy I did as those evening meals, walks, tours and jam sessions were some of the best memories from my time here in the UK. They almost made up for my lack of mammoth adventures (hosting is cool, but travelling is the shit!)

Interests

Number one is music, more specifically my guitar. I've been playing pretty much 20 years creating and subsequently forgetting my own instrumental musings but at the moment just seem to jam nonsensically with a smile on my face.
I bought a bought a sitar in Kolkata too and had a ball with that. Also took up Tabla lessons but couldn't keep it up once I started my teaching career as time was too stretched.
I play sports socially and used to play competitively in Ireland and I would try anything outdoorsy given half the chance. I've trekked the Himalayas with incredible experiences on the Annapurna circuit and been to Everest base camp and would love to return someday.
I have done via ferrata extensively in the dolomites, I love to ski but not had many opportunities, and I swim most mornings.
Then there's the standards of books and movies, and oh yeah, I like to travel, try new food and meet local people.

• books
• cooking
• movies
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• backpacking
• sports

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm not going to even try this, I've seen that many and heard that much (perhaps not read as much as I would like) to list 'em here. I am open to all kinds of music but my heart lies with guitar influenced material so I am always drawn back to this.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've seen 8 of the top 14 8000 meter peaks in the last two years and got incredibly drunk at a local Nepali wedding at the foot of one of them. I once woke up to a homeless Indian man tapping me with a stick because I passed out on his makeshift bed. I couldn't remember how I got there but he was quick to tell me it wasn't my bed! I can't for the life of me think of anything amazing right now but after a quick chat I'm sure the travel stories will start to flow.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can cook a little, I wouldn't hazard a culinary lesson too quickly but part of my life was spent learning to be a chef.
They usually take more than a few days to learn but I have a myriad of instruments you're welcome to try when you get here. guitars, tabla, sitar etc.
I would like to know a little more about self sufficiency, I have a good mate from back home whom I really respect for his knowledge of these things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, good food and maybe an instrumental piece if I am travelling with guitar. Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with a singing voice so you'll have to provide the lyrics!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Laos, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom

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