Hi, I am Nagesh Kamble a 46-year-old travel enthusiast from Chakan (near Pune), India. My two biggest passions are exploring new places and reading books that take me on adventures without leaving home. So far, I’ve traveled to 9 countries, but my dream is to visit every country in the world! I love connecting with people from different cultures, sharing stories, and learning from their way of life.

When I’m not traveling, you’ll find me with my nose in a book whether it’s travelogues, history, or fiction. I also enjoy long conversations over chai, trying local foods, and capturing memories through photography.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe the best way to experience a place is through the eyes of locals. Hotels can’t replace the warmth of a homestay or the insights of someone who knows their city inside out. Couchsurfing lets me:

Travel authentically (no tourist traps!).

Make meaningful connections with hosts and fellow travelers.

Exchange cultures—I’d love to cook Indian food for you or share travel tips!

3. What can you offer to a host?
Stories & smiles: From my travels across India and beyond.

A homemade Indian meal: Think spicy curries or Maharashtrian specialties.

Respect & adaptability: I’ll tidy up, follow house rules, and blend into your rhythm.

Local guidance: Need tips for India? I’ve got you covered!

Interests

Reading – My Portable Escape
I’m a lifelong bookworm! My favorites include:

Travelogues (like Paul Theroux or Pico Iyer) – They inspire my next trips.

History & Biographies – Understanding cultures through their past.

Indian Authors (Ruskin Bond for nostalgia, Aravind Adiga for sharp insights).

Thrillers/Mystery – Keeps my mind buzzing during long journeys.

Love swapping book recommendations—tell me your favorite!

Travel – Beyond Sightseeing
For me, travel is about:

Slow Exploration: Wandering local markets, chatting with street vendors, or sitting in a café people-watching.

Offbeat Destinations: Less Instagram, more authenticity—like village homestays or lesser-known hiking trails.

Cultural Quirks: Trying weird foods (balut? fermented shark? Yes!), learning folk dances, or attending local festivals.

Food – The Universal Language
Cooking: I enjoy making simple but flavorful Indian dishes—poha, dal tadka, or spicy chicken curry. Happy to cook for hosts!

Eating: Street food fanatic! From vada pav in Mumbai to Tom Yam Soup in Thailand, I believe the best stories happen over meals.

• traveling
• reading books
• interaction

Music, Movies, and Books

Bollywood classics (90s kid here!), but also love world music (flamenco, African beats).

Movies: Maniratnam, Priyadarshan’s films, travel documentaries, or anything with stunning landscapes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done
"Crossed the Thailand-Cambodia Border at Poipet—A Chaotic Rite of Passage!"
I’d read horror stories about scams, endless queues, and "helpful" touts at the Aranyaprathet (Thailand) to Poipet (Cambodia) border, but nothing prepared me for the real deal. Here’s how it went:

The "Visa Run" Circus:
Dodged aggressive taxi drivers shouting "Official visa office! 500 baht!" (Spoiler: It’s a scam—the real one is free to walk to).
Got stamped out of Thailand, then faced a no-man’s-land of dust, stray dogs, and opportunistic money changers offering terrible rates.

Cambodia’s "Welcome":
The visa-on-arrival counter had a sign: "No corruption!"—while officers subtly hinted for a "tip" to speed things up. I played clueless and waited it out.
Pro tip: Bring crisp USD bills (even a tiny tear = rejection) and a passport photo to avoid the "photo fee" scam.
Survival Mode:
Hopped on a packed local bus to Siem Reap, where a farmer shared sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves. No common language, just smiles.
Lesson learned: Border chaos is where travel stories begin. By sunset, I was sipping Angkor beer at a $3 guesthouse, laughing at the day’s madness.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
Indian Cooking: From fiery Kolhapuri mutton to comfort-food poha, I’d love to cook with you! (Bonus: The secret to perfect chai.)

Marathi/Hindi Basics: Need to learn "Aaj kya plan hai?" (What’s the plan today?) or "Kitna hua?" (How much does it cost)? Let’s practice!

Budget Travel Hacks: How to pack light, book overnight buses like a pro, or find the cheapest vada pav in Pune.

Learn:
Your Local Language: Teach me greetings, curses, or how to order coffee—I’ll scribble it in my travel notebook.

Hidden Gems: Where’s your favorite spot in your city? A quiet park, a dive bar, or your grandma’s recipe for dumplings?

Traditions: Festivals, dances, or superstitions—I’m all ears (and maybe terrible at joining in!).

Share:
Stories: Like that time I got lost in a Cambodian market and ended up at a monk’s birthday party.

Books: Swapping dog-eared paperbacks is my love language.

Gratitude: A home-cooked meal, a sunset walk, or just a quiet moment with chai—I’ll cherish it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

1. A Taste of India in Your Kitchen:

Let me cook you an authentic Maharashtrian meal - think poha (flattened rice breakfast), varan bhaat (comforting dal-rice), or my special Kolhapuri chicken (if you dare to handle the spice!).

Chai-making ceremony - because no Indian experience is complete without proper masala chai brewed with ginger, cardamom and love.

2. Travel Stories That Entertain:

My hilarious misadventures crossing the Thailand-Cambodia border

Spiritual moments from Himalayan treks

Lessons from getting scammed (so you don't have to!)

3. Practical Travel Wisdom:

How to pack for 3 weeks in just a backpack

My tested budget travel hacks across Asia

Basic Hindi/Marathi phrases with proper dramatic gestures included

4. Cultural Exchange:

The art of Indian hospitality ("Atithi Devo Bhava" - guest is god)

Bollywood dance moves (guaranteed to make you laugh)

Indian wedding traditions (more colorful than a rainbow)

5. Helpful Hands:

Happy to help with chores/grocery shopping

Can assist with planning your India itinerary

Will share my secret list of Pune's best street food joints

6. Good Vibes:

Endless curiosity about your life and culture

Respect for your home and routines

A big smile that needs no translation

Countries I’ve Visited

Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Russian Federation, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates

Countries I’ve Lived In

India