CURRENT MISSION

To meet, share, and learn from other travelers while exploring the world whenever the opportunity arises!

ABOUT ME

Hey all! I'm Douglas Bajan, a Polish-American 23-year-old who's always up for something new. I've traveled a fair bit around the world so far, with my most memorable experience being a backpacking trip through Singapore, Thailand and Laos. I'm always keen to party, have a good time, and meet new people. At the same time, I also appreciate the quieter days of just meandering around a new city and seeing all that it has to offer. I think I'm a pretty laid back guy that's easy to get along with.

visited 18 states (8%)Create your own visited map of The World or Brazil travel guide for Android

PHILOSOPHY

Live your life with passion and a goal. Give something back to the world, and do your best not to hurt others. Contribute to something bigger than yourself. And most importantly (if you want to keep your sanity), learn to laugh at yourself!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been hosted twice so far, and they were both really positive experiences. Hope to learn and exchange a lot!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couch surfing has been so much more to me than just a way to find a place to crash for a few nights. I've been welcomed into hosts' homes, introduced to friends, brought along for nights out and just generally been shown a good time by these gracious people. It's been amazing so far. Other than that, I've lodged at my fair share of hostels, hotels and friends' homes abroad. No stranger to cramped living spaces haha.

Interests

Squash, tae kwon do, karate, skiing, beer brewing, hiking, camping, rafting, exploring new cities/locales, reading, creative writing, FIFA, hip hop, trip hop, folk/alternative music, partying, going out and having a good time.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• festivals
• cooking
• beer
• walking
• partying
• reading
• traveling
• music
• alternative music
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• surfing
• skiing
• martial arts
• racquetball
• world cup
• tourism
• mountains
• squash

Music, Movies, and Books

Read through Charles Dickens' "Bleak House" on my last backpacking trip and its arguably my favorite book yet. Other favorites include "On the Road," "Dharma Bums," "David Copperfield," "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and "1984." Christopher Hitchens is a brilliant essayist and thinker. Richard Dawkins provides provocative and compelling writings. I must read more Orwell and Steinbeck as soon as I can. Currently reading "How Green Was My Valley" by Richard Lewellyn; hoping to actually finish "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" soon after!

As for movies, my top 5 have to be:

1) The Godfather
2) Scarecrow
3) There Will Be Blood
4) Dead Poets' Society
5) Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

As for music, I like hip hop a lot. Common, Kanye West, Nas, 50 Cent, A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar are my favorites at the moment. I like a little bit of every genre really though. Been getting into progressive house lately. Also love trip hop, which is more laid back, lounge music. Think Emancipator, Bonobo or even Pretty Lights.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was in Poland in the summer of '11 when the Przystanek Woodstock Festival (a huge music festival) was being held. 700,000 people were in attendance! As I looked over the hill when I woke up on my first morning, I saw what looked like the end of the world: hills upon hills littered with tents, half-naked people walking about, public watering holes, and a lone store where people could stock up on provisions. The Prodigy headlined the event, and about 300,000 were in attendance for the main act. It was the most insane experience, people were reckless! What a great time.

Also, backpacked solo through Singapore, Thailand and Laos for 6 weeks. First time traveling alone, but I immediately met so many interesting people on the trail, and formed a few small traveling groups here and there too! It was the experience of my life, and I very much look forward to the next chance I'll get to set out and backpack again. Hopefully for a longer duration of time; maybe Vietnam and Cambodia to start?

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's see...what I can offer:

* I've really gotten into cooking recently and would be more than happy to prepare a meal here and there for your convenience.
* This one's a bit of a stretch, but I can teach you how to play Squash provided we can find a court!
* I can teach you some self defense. I've been practicing martial arts since I was 7.
* I can teach you how to sink chip shots in FIFA like no other!

I'm always keen to experience the local culture of wherever I am. If there's ever some site you'd like to visit, an activity you're looking to take part in, and or something that just sounds fun in the area, I'd be glad to join in. Just hanging out and getting to know someone new is always great too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kenya, Laos, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United States