CURRENT MISSION

To make the most of each day.

ABOUT ME

I am a New Zealander who has been sent to Gap, France to improve my French (thank you NZ Ministry of Education). I am here til the end of January and I will teach a bit of English and also take some classes to improve my French. I have my own accomodation here but I am hoping to meet people who are a bit likeminded (i.e. couchsurfers or hosts). I love the outdoors (I brought my touring skis) and singing and playing guitar (at home, I meet with a group of friends every week to have a jam).

PHILOSOPHY

Everyone has a unique path in life and we are all travellers in this world. Keep learning, keep growing. Try to live as sustainably as possible, try to understand what that means. Try to feel compassion for EVERYONE! Stay balanced. Be healthy and happy!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have couchsurfed twice while travelling in Canada and I have heard god things about it from other friends. I have always hosted travellers in New Zealand(though not officiqlly through couchsurfers) though when I can and often send them on to my parents(who did a good job of modelling hospitality to travellers when I was growing up). Next time I have a couch, I will be hosting for sure!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

see above

Interests

People - In New Zealand, there is a Maori proverb that translates as "What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people". I couldn't agree more.
Food - Good home-cooked, preferably organic and mainly vegetarian food. And sharing it with ...people! Also learning about where our food is coming from and being a conscious consumer.
The outdoors - being out in it, camping, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, biking and sharing the experience! And preserving it as much as we can.
The arts - appreciating all the wonderful creativity there is on this planet; film, literature, music, theatre, fine arts...
The list goes on...might explain why I have never managed to concentrate on just one thing/place/person...

• arts
• humanities
• literature
• singing
• education
• dining
• recipes
• vegetarian
• meditation
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• camping
• skiing
• snowboarding
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite movie - a French movie called "Le dernier jour du reste de ta vie". Wow! Nostalgia for the 90s/family/circle of life. Might be a bit of a chick flick but I highly recommend it.
I just read "The curious incident of the dog and the nighttime" and loved it!
Music - I love Arcade Fire! i hope I can see them while in Quebec. Love those kiwi bands too - Rhombus, Salmonella dub, Fat Freddy's Drop - reminds me of Road trips and beaches back home. And although it's a bit old school now, I think I will always be a fan of Ben Harper.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I can't choose just one as you might get a warped idea of me.
-sleeping in a snow cave with too many other people -it started melting.
- surviving 10 days of silence at a meditation retreat -and then doing it again 3 years later. Amazing stuff!
-Spending New Year's in the Mexican jungle with a Mayan national park guard near Calakmul ruins.

Teach, Learn, Share

Ok. So I would be happy to help people with their English language. I am a qualified ESOL teacher. I could also teach beginner's French (I am fluent but it is not my native language). I could teach you to ski/snowboard.
I am also always keen to share recipes - and I can make a classic kiwi dessert- the pavlova! (a giant meringue with cream and kiwifruit on top- but we are proud of it all the same). Warning. Some Aussies might try and tell you it's theirs.
I would love to learn French songs to play and sing on my guitar and anything interesting about your local area/local recipes.