I am a Zen Buddhist practitioner and vegetarian who loves sustainable lifestyle home space. This summer I have relocated to La Jolla having lived in San Francisco and Silicon Valley for the past 10 years. I work as a startup tech advisor. As a newbie to the San Diego area and Couchsurfing community, I am keen to connect with couchsurfers locally and foreign travelers visit this stunningly beautiful California paradise on the coast! Kindly send a message if you want to meet for coffee, have a walk on the beach or explore the modern architecture and contemporary arts here in the San Diego area. I love watching foreign films in any language.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have spent my entire life traveling with my family, friends and kindred spirits. Throughout these world travel experiences, I have received much generosity and kind hospitality from locals warmly sharing their culture, iconic sights and places. I hope as a future Couchsurfer host or guest to other community members that my life will continue to be enriched by mutual generosity of spirit and hospitality.

Interests

• architecture
• interior design
• contemporary art
• lgbt rights
• walking
• technology
• jazz
• opera
• sailing
• international relations
• beaches
• sustainability
• climate change
• sustainable living
• lgbtq
• brexit

Music, Movies, and Books

Films: My Home India; Rocketman; Happy as Lazzaro; Benjamin; Mary Queen of Scots; The Children Act; Deux Jours, Une Nuit; Le Passé; Danish Girl; Our Planet (David Attenborough); Lolo; Wedding Unplanned; Palmtrees in the Snow; Un + Une; Bohemian Rhapsody; The Favourite; Swimming with Men; La La Land; Moonlight; The Revenant; Spotlight; Le jeune Ahmed; Dolor y gloria; Portrait de la jeune fille en feu; Plein soleil; Rocco e i suoi fratelli

Books: 'In at the Deep End; Night Boat to Tangier; The Sea Inside; Let’s Hope For The Best; The Clothesline Swing; Connect: How Companies Succeed by Engaging Radically With Society; Secrets of Sand Hill Road

Music: Die Mainacht, Op.9 no.6; Tristes apprêts (Castor et Pollux); Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV.830 (Toccata); Hungarian Dance No.3 in F major; The Nutcracker Suite, Op 71a; Gayati Mantra; Alexander Hamilton (Hamilton)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I made a 30-day retreat in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts and it was the start of my interest and practice in Zen Buddhism. "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."

The 30-day retreat was a time to embrace nature and experience renewal. During the retreat, I did not leave the area and had to sustain myself there with local resources and limited food provisions which the retreat director kindly offered or went on my behalf into the nearest town to get for my simple daily meals or other basic items.

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few."

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: Zen cooking, urban gardening,

Learn: a new language, discover a new place to visit and add to my travel bucket list

Share: Good humor, experience the joys of California unique coastal living

What I Can Share with Hosts

A love of cooking wonderful vegetarian meals. Living discussions about saving our planet, tech, politics, international travel (I lived and worked in most European capital cities, Hong Kong, Peru, Beunos Aires and East Africa). I enjoy performing arts and fine art and would be a good art museum companion. I am a classical music lover and amazed at the exciting new emerging contemporary classical artists and musicians.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya, Malta, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, United Kingdom, United States