CURRENT MISSION

Not to fear the unknown, but to explore it!

ABOUT ME

Travel junkie about sums me up. I've been living and working overseas for the majority of my adult life. I've been a few places, and done a few things, but I'm nowhere near finished. Most of this time I've spent in "developing" countries. But i am certainly NOT an "aid worker". How could one be labelled self sacrificing? As I clearly lose nothing in the exchanges of ideas, culture and humanity in the countries in choose to live in. I enjoy meeting people. I have come to believe that everyone has something to teach you or at the very least share with you, making the effort worth it!!

PHILOSOPHY

Daily philosophy: Breathe... The sun will rise tomorrow, all wounds will heal, everything will work out, just remember to breathe!

Life expectations: By the time it comes for me to leave this world I hope to have lived and laughed, loved and lost, explored the world and searched my soul, all in the attempt to learn how little I know.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've now been a member since the Beta test, but officially 12 years (wow how time flies). And although I haven't been involved as long as some, i've tried to take part as much as possible (despite living in 'weird' places). In Guilin, China (where i joined CS)i hosted a few times and went to CouchSurfing dinners every week-end (party on). I surfed a few places myself in China before hosting a number of people again in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Then I crashed couches in Central Asia and hosted for a while in Baku, Azerbaijan. After a stint in Mexico where i couldn't host, i found myself in Yemen where i didn't expect too many CSers. And then Iraq... And then Venezuela... And then, well, you get the point.

Mainly i'm on a mission to convert as many cool people to the project as possible!! I used to be a city ambassador, for a couple different places but have now changed to a Nomadic Ambassador as i move so much. I'm the moderator of several groups. I try to answer as many questions for those coming to, staying in and travelling to anywhere i have travel experience with. I was an active member on the chat room (before head office killed it) I was also a member of the New Member Welcome group (before head office killed it)

Interests

Travelling is clearly number one. I own a camera and often use it. I listen to music. I save the world by killing zombies (iPhone app)

• culture
• photography
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• netflix

Music, Movies, and Books

I generally like male rock voices (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Pepper, Stone Temple Pilots)

Then i like female soulful/R&B type voices

And if the mood strikes i'll listen to country, hip-hop, pop, Gregorian chants and Mongolian dual-tone throat singing.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sunset overlooking the Pyramids as "call to prayer" echoes up the valley.

Living with the Iban tribe of central Borneo and attending a funeral

Spelling "QUIZZES" on triple word score in a game of scrabble!

The list goes on and on. And hopefully will continue to grow for years to come.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've jotted down a few experiences from my travels in my blog covering Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East, Europe and North America. Check it out

http://www.joestrippin.blogspot.com/

Or there's always my Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/joestrippin/

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Iraq, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Qatar, Russian Federation, Spain, Turkey, United States, Venezuela, Yemen

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