I am an eco-tourism entrepreneur and environmental activist from Azerbaijan - I love being in the mountains and managed to make a bit of a career out of showing them to other people when I set up my company Camping Azerbaijan. Most recently I've been between Azerbaijan and the UK for studying, but love to explore new places away from the big cities and tourist hubs. I am not ticking off cities on a list, but like to get a feel for new places and their daily rhythms.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I see Couchsurfing as a tool for sustainable travel and the oportunity to share experiences with others. It is definitely not a free accommodation service for tourists filling their checklist! If you are on a long journey or if you visit a country to really explore it rather than adding it to your 'done list', then you are a traveller and you deserve support of a community. That's why it's so important that, if you ask to be hosted do not forget to be ready to host! It's not just a tool for 'budget travel' and telling your friend how it is possible to travel with only small amounts of money, it's more than that and all about true hospitality.

I have hosted lots of travellers at my home in Baku via Couchsurfing and also warmshowers (another hospitality network specially designed for cyclist travellers). Along the way I have invited many 'confused' travellers off the streets. I have also been hosted quite a few times and have really enjoyed getting to know my hosts and getting their angle on their home town or city.

Interests

I study environmental policy and, above all, I'm passionate about how we can transform our lifestyles to make them lower impact and lead less consumption-led lifestyles. I'm currently doing some research into how to halt global deforestation, and I have done a lot of working fighting against illegal forestry in my home country. I am passionate a whole range of environmental issues, including renewable energy, urban planning and green cities, and waste management, and love to discuss them and learn more about them as I travel. I of course also love being in the mountains - I grew up exploring the mountains where my relatives lived, and I still love discovering new villages in Azerbaijan and hiking in other countries, including Iran, Georgia, Switzerland and the UK.

• environment
• hiking
• mountaineering
• ecotourism
• forests
• sustainability
• urban planning
• urbanism
• backpaking

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Godfly, 1984, Animal Farm, Hidden Life of Trees.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every year around the Christmas holidays I dress as Santa Claus, take a few friends of mine and lots of gifts, and we hike over 100km over 10 days to deliver gifts to hundreds of children in the remote mountainous villages of Azerbaijan:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/campingazerbaijan2014/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1792693784087960&ref=page_internal

What I Can Share with Hosts

I hope I can share stories about my own country and the adventures I have had there, and I love the chance to discuss all kinds of environmental issues. That might all sound a little bit serious but maybe if I am a little bit drunk I can even dance Caucasian style or sing you some Mugham!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Iran, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Azerbaijan, United Kingdom

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