CURRENT MISSION

Writing a book... drawing inspiration from meeting fellow nomads and travelers

ABOUT ME

I'm Matt, I'm 29 from the UK, my fiance is Jose, and she is 25 from Ethiopia. We are both very easy going, laid back people. I am a writer, and we are just working on setting up a small business together. I have traveled a lot and always got on well with people. Jose has never left Ethiopia, and we are hoping to visit the coast in either Kenya of Somaliland next year so she can see the sea for the first time. I love the philosophy of sharing your space, and love meeting new people.

PHILOSOPHY

My personal philosophy is unnecessarily complex, but fundamentally I believe in humanity; sharing, loving, existing together in peace. I am an idealist at heart. I think freedom is friendship.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We live in Ethiopia's most beautiful city, Hawassa in the Southern Regions. We are renting a lovely house here and have a spare room. I write for a living and we are working on setting up our own business. We generally just chill, go for walks, eat good food, travel etc. People are always welcome here.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We have had three separate groups of travelers here since we moved in 6 weeks ago, not via this site, but just through random contacts. All of the experiences have been great, and it is lovely to show people around our city.

Interests

Writing is my passion, as is Africa. I am currently writing a book called 'The Future Escape' about everyone's thirst for freedom. I also write for a number of organisations about development, language, sports, and the odd corporate client to pay the bills. I love sport, and reading, yoga, exercise, cooking, reggae music etc. Jose loves reading too, cooking, writing, and generally chilling out. She also likes to lose to me at pool, badminton, or table tennis. We both love swimming.

• writing
• books
• dining
• cooking
• exercise
• yoga
• reading
• traveling
• billiards
• drawing
• music
• reggae music
• sports
• tennis
• swimming
• table tennis
• badminton
• business

Music, Movies, and Books

#i love lots of movies, too many to mention. Reggae music is my medicine, although I do like other stuff too. I love reading, favourite books are; Half of a Yellow Sun, The Alchemist, Sidharta, Way of the Peaceful Warrior etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Driving from UK to South Africa last year (and then back to Ethiopia)! Such an incredibly rewarding experience. The stand out moment being entering Ethiopia from Sudan. The contrast is just incredible. Me and my travel companion were both awestruck.

Visiting a friend in Dubai after above journey - I had to leave Ethiopia momentarily for visa issues, and with my best friend in Dubai, and the flight less than £100, I chose to go there. The experience was great. I had always hated the idea of Dubai, with all of its money and inequality, but meeting wonderful people reasserted my continually growing faith in humanity.

Teach, Learn, Share

Amharic, Swahili, both only conversational at the moment. I can assist with writing, and that's about it. I enjoy practicing yoga and tai chi.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Malawi, Namibia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sudan, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tanzania, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ethiopia, United Kingdom