A close friend jokes about it - If New York was to be morphed into a personality, it would be Tushar. I strongly believe, NYC is not a physical place, but an idea, a mantra to live, and a philosophy of being. Jubilant rush of adrenaline gushing through veins, excitement, the new, the classic, support from strangers, new ideas, help, zero inhibitions, self discovery, and a rapid professional/personal growth.

My dad says, if you ain’t mentally and physically exhausted before hitting bed each day, you ain’t living enough. And the elephant in the room - Are you slowly dying each day or living life everyday?

***HANGOUT***
If you’re in NYC, please hit me up. I’d love to show you around, local things missing from the guidebooks/blogs and introduce you to my set of friends.
Under $10 eateries with authentic/diverse cuisines, circuit parties, artist dive bars, underground costume parties, drag, indie music, Sofar, circuit theater, comedy, dance, little quips from history, bizarre stories from street corners and new ideas that will scream fear and shocks elsewhere. A true under budget NY experience as romanticized in the movies and tv shows. NY just ain’t for the rich, and trust me that’s kind is far more boring.

***HOSTING***
I typically prefer to host 1-2 person, for not more 2-3 days. Also more depending on our previous experience, and if I feel comfortable sharing my house keys with a stranger or known friend.
Send me a personalized message a couple of days before. I get a lot of requests, and feel less comfortable to commit to dates too much in advance as it curbs my personal/professional life. (Mention something in my profile that catches your attention, and talk about how it relates to you)

Please don’t be sexist, racist, misogynist or any kind of xenophobia. I’ll not tolerate any kind of weird behavior, and you’ll be asked to leave respectfully and immediately. Also, this is couch surfing, not your Tinder. Please be respectful.

***TRAVELING***
If I am in your city, I would love to meetup for a drink, casual coffee or if you're doing a gallery or something I'd love to join you. More than accommodation, I crave for local experience.
I'll be in utmost gratitude, if you provide me accommodation in your city. You'll always have a place to stay, when you visit New York in future.

***ABOUT ME****
I work as a software engineer at a NYC based startup (though now the offices are closed, so WFH forever). I moved to New York in ’13 with brief sprints in Ithaca, upstate NY and San Francisco, CA. Real “I grew up” journey began in Jan ’14, when I moved to NYC with no friends or money. Crappy research stipend, and quest for adventure, I did a LOT of new things. The best year of my life. I got into comedy, and was performing Improv in some local theaters. Recently, interested have piqued into cabaret and cirque. Taking recreational classes at Muse, circus school in Bushwick. Join me for a trapeze or cyr wheel class.

Travel journey started soon after, and have been fortunate to have a job with flexibility and time to discover elsewhere. Most of the travel have been limited to West, South and Europe to Russia, North Africa, Middle East and Caribbean. Next Stop: South America.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Ever since I graduated from university in '15, I've met almost all of my friends exclusively through couchsurfing or its network.

Personally, I've hosted some of the most amazing folks from over 55 countries. Relationships have grown out to be stronger as I now frequent my trips to visit their vibrant cultures, experience food, and festivities. I am frequent on the "Hangout" app, as I meet visiting/local folks from community.
Join our network.

***Quip. It's NOT free accommodation, please be respectful. Please read: https://www.travelettes.net/10-reasons-why-you-should-try-couch-surfing/

Interests

My philosophy is - always try everything once, before having an opinion. So, I am always down to experiment re-do or try anything different.

I genuinely enjoy meeting new people, sharing experiences, introduce New York in a way I see this dynamic city changing.

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: experimental and alternative genres
(tell me about your favorite band that stirred strong emotions each time you hear?***)

Artists to checout: Ala.ni, Jon Hopkins, Tanya Tagaq, Norah Jones, Christine & the queens

My Pandora Station: http://www.pandora.com/station/2772660179124859762

Movies/Shows: Children of War, Babel, The Bang Bang Cub, V for Vendetta, New York I Love You. Portrait of Lady on Fire, Polisse 2011, Fauda, Stateless

Quotes!
“Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.” —Louis L'Amour

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

*For almost a decade, I always do a (mostly solo) trip on my birthday. Take time to absorb, and create memories.
One of them was:
https://medium.com/@imbenzene/traveling-solo-on-your-birthday-isn-t-the-worst-idea-5db29a7a6f47#.7h2tipd2z

Covid lockdowns have been a bit wild. I am very excited for following adventure in November:
1. Train trip across America. NYC to Portland, OR
2. Bike trip. NYC to Toronto

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy cooking. Lot of self learning, and through cooking class in every major city I travel to. Happy to cook together, share kitchen hacks (lot of vegetarian options)
Cuisines: Indian, French, Italian, Japanese.

Yoga.
Mostly into Ashtanga and hatha yoga.

Biking, long distance

Cirque class
(trapeze, cyr wheel)

What I Can Share with Hosts

NYC experience!
Music, food, creativity, and bizarre.
Food. Theater. Improv.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States