CURRENT MISSION

Being scared of moths and twins.

ABOUT ME

I find it so very hard to talk about myself but I'll give it a go.....

I like a grand idea and making plans. Openness and the simple act of talking. Late night theories over wine and breaking bread.

My little idea is that what we're all searching for is something that makes time stop, at least for a while. Music does that for me like nothing else. I'm a complete music obsessive and addict.

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind. Things will work out. I'm obsessed with noticing detail. My theory is that by making a concerted effort to soak in as much of the texture of the world around me, I can better live in the moment. It's sounding a bit weird and hippy-like isn't it? It's a case of being that kid who can spend a whole afternoon enraptured by all the bugs living under a rock, but blowing that up to trying to use that eagerness all the time. The big things come and go but the little things are everywhere and are amazing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Here in the house we are always a London base for stray friends so I thought why not extend that welcome to everyone. In the modern world we are somehow told that we must somehow mistrust people, that strangers are out to harm us or steal from us, but what I relish about couchsurfing.com is that it reminds us that 99.9% of people are trustworthy and big hearted.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Oh my, I've crashed on more friend's sofas, and floors than I care to mention and also time in a garden shed and a church but when it comes to official couchsurfing we try to open up our spare room as often as we can to anyone who needs it and I've had some incredible experiences couchsurfing in the UK and US.

Interests

I'm pretty lucky that I'm employed doing something I love. I'm a slightly unconventional London tour guide by trade and this city's culture and history has been my longest and deepest love.

• arts
• culture
• cooking
• wine
• cheese
• beer
• working out
• gardening
• music
• history
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Isn't this always such a tough question. Aaarrggh well if I was held down and at pain of death made to give an answer I would say anything a bit left-field, wobbly, weird and possibly covered in dust! Old music/new music... it's all the same to me. You know like art/indie cinema and bizarre records. www.last.fm/user/paulpapa

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've twice crossed the United States by train by myself. Spellbinding journeys into the sublime and the strange.

Teach, Learn, Share

My limited skills and knowledge includes rolling cigarettes in storms, english beer, weird London, making cheesecake, cooking christmas dinner for over ten people, talking rubbish late into the night about film/art/music, being a current affairs junkie, making flatpack furniture, having a sense of direction not unlike a homing pigeon and what makes a good cheese.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United Kingdom