I'm a OKBA NOUAR

32-year-old financial analyst from Algeria. I'm passionate about travel, culture, and meaningful conversations. I consider myself respectful, open-minded, and easy-going. I enjoy meeting new people, learning from different perspectives, and sharing what I know.

From Ancient Mountains to Modern Energy - Welcome to My World! ⛰️🛢️

I'm Okba, a 32-year-old financial analyst living a fascinating dual life: Born in the legendary Aurès Mountains of Khenchela among the proud Chaoui Berber communities, now working in Hassi Messaoud - Algeria's petroleum capital and one of Africa's most important energy hubs.

Imagine this: I wake up in a city built around one of the world's largest oil fields, discovered in 1956 with proven reserves of 6.4 billion barrels, where people from 159 different countries work together in the heart of the Sahara. By evening, I'm sharing stories of my childhood in the ancient Aurès Mountains, where Berber tribes formed a base of resistance against Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Arabs for centuries.

What makes this combination extraordinary? I bridge two worlds that rarely meet: the timeless wisdom of the Chaoui people with their rich cultural heritage and traditional practices, and the cutting-edge energy industry that powers modern civilization.

By day, I analyze financial markets and petroleum economics. By evening, I carry the songs, stories, and survival wisdom of the Aurès Mountains, home to trails leading to North Africa's highest peaks. I speak Arabic, French, Tamazight (Chaoui dialect), and English - each language carrying different pieces of my soul.

Here's what makes me different: I'm not just offering accommodation - I'm offering you access to two incredible worlds. You'll meet someone who can explain both ancient Berber astronomy and modern petroleum geology, who knows both traditional mountain survival techniques and contemporary financial markets, who can cook both ancestral Chaoui dishes and international fusion cuisine.

My superpower? I can take you on adventures most travelers never experience: exploring a major oil field that supplies half of Algeria's oil needs in the morning, then sharing stories about climbing Jebel Chélia, the highest peak with stunning panoramic views where my ancestors lived for millennia.

please check my instagram

https://www.instagram.com/okbanouar/

please also check my linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/okba-nouar-72725625b/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because hotels don't have souls, but homes do. 🏡

Couchsurfing represents everything I believe in: that borders exist on maps, not in hearts; that the best meals are shared with strangers who become friends; that travel isn't about checking destinations off a list - it's about collecting moments that change how you see the world.

When I host, I don't just give you keys to my place - I give you keys to my culture. You'll learn why we say the desert "breathes" at night, discover spices that don't exist in your local grocery store, and understand why Algerians consider hospitality not just a tradition, but a sacred duty.

When I travel, I'm not looking for free accommodation - I'm seeking authentic human connections. I want to understand why your grandmother's recipe matters to you, what makes your city special beyond tourist brochures, and how your perspective might shift mine.

Couchsurfing is my bridge between worlds - where a desert dweller from Algeria can share mint tea with a programmer from Estonia, where stories cross continents, and where we remember that despite our different languages and customs, we all laugh at the same silly things.

Interests

🏜️ Desert Adventures & Nature

Sahara expeditions and star-gazing sessions
Hiking through oasis trails and ancient caravan routes
Sand-boarding (yes, like snowboarding, but on dunes!)
Wildlife photography in unexpected desert ecosystems

📊 Financial Markets & Economics

Stock market analysis and investment strategies
Cryptocurrency trends and fintech innovations
Economic development in emerging markets
Teaching financial literacy (I make complex concepts surprisingly fun!)

🍽️ Culinary Explorations

Mastering traditional Algerian cuisine (mloukhia, chakhchoukha, desert honey pastries)
Discovering fusion recipes that blend Saharan and international flavors
Foraging for desert plants and understanding their nutritional properties
Coffee ceremonies and tea rituals from different cultures

🎨 Culture & Storytelling

Berber/Amazigh history and traditions
Middle Eastern and North African cinema
Poetry (both classical Arabic and modern spoken word)
Learning traditional crafts like carpet weaving and metalwork

🌍 Languages & Communication

Currently improving my English through conversations with travelers
Teaching Arabic and French to curious minds
Learning basic phrases in every language of my guests
Non-verbal communication across cultures (surprisingly universal!)

Interests

• fun
• good food
• peace
• peace and love
• security

Music, Movies, and Books

🎵 Music That Moves My Soul:

Traditional: Chaâbi, Raï, and Berber folk music that tells our ancestors' stories
Modern: Indie folk, world music, and anything with authentic emotion
Guilty pleasure: French chanson and old-school jazz
Live experiences: Desert music festivals where drums echo off sand dunes

🎬 Films That Inspire:

Documentaries: Especially about remote cultures, environmental conservation, and human resilience
International cinema: Iranian, Moroccan, and European arthouse films
Classics: Lawrence of Arabia (obviously!), The English Patient
Hidden gems: Films about nomadic life and cross-cultural connections

📚 Books That Shape My Thinking:

Non-fiction: Behavioral economics (Thinking, Fast and Slow), cultural anthropology, desert ecology
Business: Investment strategies and market psychology
Philosophy: Works that explore human nature and connection
Travel literature: Paul Theroux, Pico Iyer, and modern nomad narratives

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I disappeared into the Aurès Mountains for three days with nothing but a backpack, water, and an insatiable curiosity about life.
Picture this: Day one, I'm following ancient Berber trails, completely alone except for the occasional eagle overhead. Day two, I'm sharing meals with mountain shepherds who've never left their valley but understand the universe better than most city dwellers. Day three, I'm sitting with an 80-year-old nomad who teaches me to predict weather patterns by watching how grass bends in the wind.
The magic moment? On the final evening, as we're watching the sunset paint the mountains purple and gold, this wise old man looks at me and says, "Young man, you came here looking for adventure, but what you found was yourself."
He was right. I went up those mountains as a financial analyst from the city. I came down as someone who understood that the most valuable currency isn't money - it's the stories we collect and the wisdom we share.
That experience taught me: The best conversations happen when you remove all distractions. The most profound lessons come from the most unexpected teachers. And sometimes, getting "lost" is the only way to find what you're really looking for.

Teach, Learn, Share

What I Can Teach You:
🏦 Financial Wisdom Made Simple

Stock market basics and investment strategies
Personal budgeting and money management
Understanding economic trends and market psychology
Cryptocurrency fundamentals (I'll explain blockchain over coffee!)

🗣️ Languages & Communication

Arabic (Modern Standard and Algerian dialect)
French (from basic phrases to business fluency)
Desert survival basics and navigation by stars
Cultural etiquette for North Africa and Middle East travel

🍳 Culinary Mastery

Authentic Algerian cooking techniques
Spice combinations that will revolutionize your kitchen
Traditional bread-making in sand ovens
Desert foraging and edible plant identification

What I'm Eager to Learn:

🌍 Your World Through Your Eyes

Local customs and hidden cultural gems from your homeland
Traditional recipes and family cooking secrets
Your language's most beautiful expressions (especially those untranslatable words!)
Survival skills from different climates and environments

🎯 Skills and Perspectives

Photography techniques for capturing authentic moments
Sustainable living practices from different cultures
Traditional music and instruments
Your profession's insider secrets (I'm genuinely curious about everything!)

What We'll Share:
✨ Unforgettable Experiences

Sunset tea ceremonies on my rooftop
Star-gazing sessions with traditional astronomical knowledge
Market tours where you'll taste fruits you've never heard of
Stories that will change how you think about success, happiness, and human connection

What I Can Share with Hosts

🎁 I don't arrive empty-handed - I bring experiences:
🍽️ Culinary Adventures

I'll cook you an authentic Algerian feast that will spoil you for restaurant versions forever
Desert honey, premium dates, and spices you can't find in regular stores
Traditional sweets that represent centuries of culinary evolution
Coffee/tea ceremonies that transform simple drinks into meditation

🏠 Practical Contributions

I'm meticulous about cleanliness and organization (financial analyst habits!)
Happy to help with household projects, repairs, or improvements
Can assist with budgeting, financial planning, or investment advice
Tech troubleshooting and digital organization

🎭 Cultural Exchange

Fascinating stories about life in one of Earth's most extreme environments
Traditional games, music, and desert navigation techniques
Language lessons that go beyond textbooks
Insights into Middle Eastern and North African perspectives on global events

🤝 Personal Qualities

Respectful, quiet, and deeply appreciative of your hospitality
Naturally curious - I'll ask thoughtful questions about your culture and life
Excellent listener who remembers details about your stories
Positive energy without being overwhelming

💝 Lasting Memories

Photographs of our shared experiences
Traditional crafts or souvenirs from Algeria
Recipes written in my handwriting for your personal collection
A friendship that continues long after I've moved on

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Algeria