Originally from London, England, I made New Zealand my home in 1992. 2 years ago I suffered a major medical scare and ended up on life support. Underwent a couple of major operations and and a protracted recovery and rehabilitation. Although I am now completely recovered although slightly weaker than I used to be , collateral damage amounted to the loss of my business (income) and the failure of my marriage(still good friends). Back in the late 70's and early 80's spent many years working and travelling around Europe and North Africa as a chef. Decided this year I would like to travel some more and was attracted to central America for a beginning. Basically I intend to see as much of the world as I can before I can't do so any more. I hope to start a blog on food and cuisines of various cultures from around the world focusing on the origins of dishes and their ingredients.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It goes without saying that couch surfers want to keep their overheads low to prolong the travel experience, but, because I have a professional interest in the food and culture of the places I visit, I was hoping that by staying in someones house or joining a family for a while, I would be better exposed to the things I am interested in. In return I am a good chef and would love to experiment with the cuisines I encounter and produce a few meals for/ with my hosts. That is the way it worked for me the last time I travelled, lasting friendships and becoming involved rather than, just passing through on a budget.

Interests

• live music
• classical music
• history
• food
• football
• playing guitar

Music, Movies, and Books

Prolific reader, all music

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One day I arrived in a small village in eastern Crete, young boy (about 10) grabs me and leads me to his grandmothers house. We negotiate a very cheap price for me to rent a room. Room is spacious with a double bed, a wardrobe and not much else, Toilet is a long drop. Everything is quite old but immaculately clean. Linoleum flooring. I unpack, pay for a week and take a stroll down the beach. As I returned to my room I realise that I hadn't shaken all the sand off my feet and every step I took on the polished lino was followed by a scratching sound. I went into the main house and without any Greek vocabulary indicated that I wanted a dustpan and brush. When the grandparents understood my request, the grandma began weeping, the grandfather began shouting at her and I stood there confused. She returned with the items but refused to let me have them and dissappeared into my room muttering and weeping and sweeping. Grandpa glared at me so I left the house to figure out what was happening. I sat at a kafeneon and started a conversating with a lovely man called Aris(aristotle). he had good english and we spoke for ages. After a while I explained my problem and we decided that my hosts must have thought that I was complaining that the room was not clean. grandpa had told off grandma for being lazy and poor old grandma took tyhe brunt of everything. I felt embarrassed and was reluctant to return to the house. I walked into town and saw a gypsy type woman sitting by the road with bunches of herbs to sell. I thought 'flowers' I would take my hosts some flowers to make up but there were no flowers to be bought. I climbed a small hill and picked bunches of all the wild flowers I could find and made them into a rough bouquet and started back to the house. On the way I spotted Aris again and I begged him to come with me to translate. finally he agreed. We went inside and grandma and grandpa were sitting watching Tv, the sound was at full volume and I think it was Coronation St with subtitles. i walked up and offered the flowers and aris recited the apology that we had rehearsed on the way. more tears from Grandma, but this time accompanied by kisses and cuddles. Grandpa poured us raki to drink and those people are still friends today even though grandma has since passed on.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach English, cooking, guitar, nutrition, health, hospitality, accounting.
Learn Spanish, cooking and man other things
Share Freindship, house chores, experiences and more

What I Can Share with Hosts

As above

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium, France, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, Singapore, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, United States, Wales, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, United States