Excited to leap into the Couchsurfing world with a Europe-UK trip from September to November 2025.

Curious heart, open mind, and a suitcase that’s always half-packed — I’m Prema, a literary agent and editor from Mumbai with a passion for stories, serendipity, and the strange joy of losing yourself in a city where you don’t speak the language. I’ve lived in India all my life but feel at home anywhere there’s good conversation, local food, and a window to look out of.

I love the idea of exchanging life snippets with strangers who become friends. My favorite souvenirs aren’t magnets or mugs, but the laughter, recipes, and inside jokes I collect along the way.

Interests: Books, book people, bookstores. Hidden streets. History. Rooftop bars. Spontaneous road trips. Writing retreats. Old songs. Dancing (I have constantly learnt Indian and Western dance forms; learning Kathak right now). Art museums. Flea markets. Architecture. Conversations with cab drivers. Anything with character — from buildings to people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because the best parts of travel don’t come with a ticket. I love being part of authentic moments, conversations that last till 3 a.m., and discovering places the guidebooks never list — all through the kindness of locals. And I'd love to return that magic by hosting and sharing a slice of my world too, someday.

Interests

• books
• architecture
• vegetarian
• cars
• music
• travel
• art
• food
• vegetarian food
• dance
• plants
• vegetarianism
• books and movies
• kathak
• dancer
• bookstores

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: A mix — Hindustani classical, soft jazz, 90s indie pop, and whatever makes you sway a little.
Movies: Before Sunrise, The Shawshank Redemption, The Pursuit of Happyness, Little Miss Sunshine, DDLJ, Lamhe
Books: A Suitable Boy, The Sense of an Ending, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Shadow Lines, City of Djinns, The Sea of Poppies, Swami and Friends, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Dance: I have danced and learnt dancing most of my life. Started with Bharatanatyam, moved on to Jazz, did a crash course in Tango, now learning Kathak.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Took the Trans-Siberian train from Beijing to Moscow — six time zones, multiple cities, countless conversations, and one surreal blur of forests, deserts, lakes, stations, and faces I’ll never forget. Oh, and I helped a Mongolian guy who had been earworming to an old Hindi song and trying to find it for ... *drumroll* 5 years! I guessed the song he was haunted by in a split second. :)
Another interesting incident was going all the way to Pamukkale, Turkey, to get my leg broken. I spent the next 24 hours traversing 5 cities across multiple countries to return to my country a few days before it went into lockdown.
Our honeymoon was a road trip to southern India.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to write a killer bio, help you plot your book, teach you a few Indian dance steps, or make the perfect masala chai. I’d love to learn a new recipe, a few phrases in your language, or your favorite local superstition. And I’ll always share a good story, whether it’s mine or someone else’s.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Warmth, laughter, great conversation, a little literary sparkle — and maybe some Indian vegetarian snacks if I’ve packed right! I’m easy-going, respectful, and love contributing to the home I’m invited into — from doing dishes to picking up groceries to cooking a meal together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

India