Hi! At the moment I am on a slow, open-ended hiking journey, and I'm looking forward to mix up the solo time with meeting friendly people along the way, and getting little breaks from sleeping in a mini-tent!

I'm curious and enjoy diversity in all its forms, embracing what comes my way, from serious to silly.

I've recently completed paramedic training, and am now taking a break. Before that I've worked in a cooperative timber yard. I'm also a metalworker, and used to build stages before that.

I'm based in the UK, with strong links to Germany and Syria.
I am German-Syrian, I grew up in Damascus and later in Germany.

At the moment I am not able to host because I've put all my things in storage and am travelling!
Very welcome when I have a place again!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

No one should be alone on a journey!
An open door and an open mind are better than any hotel.

I've discovered couchsurfing more than 17 years ago, it's come a long way since then!

I've just come back to it after several years - I couldn't travel much during my degree.

Over the years I've met wonderful folks through CS, had lots of guests, been a guest in people's homes and had a great deal of fun allround.

At the moment I am on an open-ended, slow hiking journey, just me and a tent - during this time I'd love to connect with people, and be welcomed into a friendly space every now and then.

Interests

I love languages. Listen to people's stories.
I like to hear the real stuff and share experiences (or opinions, or jokes, or food, or a good ol' party).

I've been volunteering for humanitarian and community projects, because I want to live and act in ways that make people matter, that create real, human spaces.
This is what lead me to train as a paramedic.

I read, a lot. Books are a great alternative to travel and conversation, making both possible when there's no other way (hello, shift workers...)

I love working with my hands and learning skills that are handed down through many generations of makers. I like the challenge of materials and techniques, and finding solutions to new problems. I also enjoy teaching people, and passing on what I've learned.

I trail run and really enjoy being outdoors and in the elements. I love swimming, especially in cold water.

• literature
• politics
• metalworking
• hiking
• trail running
• languages

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sitting opposite a polar fox on Svalbard and just looking at eachother for ages, til the fox trundled off into its snowy home

What I Can Share with Hosts

delicious meals (or you cook and I wash the dishes...).
an inquisitive outlook and easygoing nature.
a tendency towards laughter.
my love of diversity.
respect for your space.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Lebanon, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Germany, Norway, Syrian Arab Republic, United Kingdom