👋 Hi everyone, and thank you for taking the time to read my profile!

🌿 Who I am

My name is Tang Shi, which literally means “Tang Poetry” — a beautiful phrase in Chinese that comes from the Tang Dynasty, one of the most flourishing eras in Chinese history for art and culture.

I’m 31 years old, and I worked in the travel industry for eight years after graduation. During university, I spent four years backpacking (that was also when I first used this website!) and later turned my passion into my career.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a hotel supplier, route designer, and marketing director.

I also have a deep love for the outdoors, especially hiking and trekking — I used to lead mountain trips, organize outdoor events, and even founded a small hiking club for outdoor enthusiasts.

🌏 Why I took a gap year

When I turned 30, I started asking myself two questions:
Have I really found the work I truly love?
And how do I want to live my life?

These questions never appeared in my childhood education, and I couldn’t find the answers in my busy daily routine either.
Although I was lucky enough to work in a field I loved — one that brought me respect and a strong sense of achievement — I still felt a quiet confusion deep inside that I could no longer ignore.

So after long reflection, I quit my job in 2024 and started my gap year journey.

Exploring different cultures, meeting people from all walks of life, learning from each other, and tasting food made with unique ingredients and traditions — these have always been my greatest joys.

Different cultures and environments shape different attitudes toward life, and that’s exactly what I’m looking for.
I chose Latin America, the farthest region from my homeland, for this journey. I’ve always been fascinated by it — the Mayan civilization, tango and Latin dance, Día de los Muertos and Carnival, the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia, and of course, the passion for football!
Most importantly, I’ve always felt that compared with Asia, the culture here is more open, warm, and full of life — maybe one day, it will become my second home.

As of October 31, 2025, I’ve been traveling in Latin America for over a year, visiting Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
I’ve made so many wonderful local friends who have shown me that Latin America is exactly as vibrant and kind-hearted as I imagined!

☕ A little extra

If you’re interested in Chinese culture, language, landscapes, food, tea ceremony, or hiking, I’d be more than happy to share them with you!

Thank you so much for reading my story —
Wishing you good health, happiness, and wonderful journeys ahead 🌻

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

🏡 Returning to Couchsurfing

After graduation, when my career became more stable, I often thought about hosting Couchsurfers to give back the kindness I once received from the world.
But unfortunately, my previous job required constant travel and long working hours — I was rarely home and often exhausted, so I stopped logging in for a long time.

Now I’m back on the road again, and it feels amazing to reconnect with this community! 😄

Over the past year, I’ve tried many different ways of traveling — studying Spanish at a university in Mexico, trekking through the Andes, joining a language and cultural exchange program in Colombia, and much more.
I’ve had such an incredible time!

When I was thinking about how to meet more locals and make new friends while keeping travel affordable, Couchsurfing immediately came to mind.
It reminded me of all the friends I made here years ago — those warm and genuine connections that still make me smile.
I hope to experience that kind of connection again and meet more like-minded travelers.

It feels almost magical —
At 20, I was a curious and lively backpacker, a little naïve but full of energy.
Now in my 30s, I see life with more reflection and empathy, and I’m eager for more meaningful encounters and conversations.

Interests

• culture
• writing
• dancing
• traveling
• hiking
• mountaineering
• languages
• food
• landscapes

Music, Movies, and Books

movie：《Good Will Hunting》
book：
One Hundred Years of Solitude — Gabriel García Márquez
Guns, Germs, and Steel — Jared Diamond
The Last Days of the Incas — Kim MacQuarrie
I Confess That I Have Lived (Confieso que he vivido) — Pablo Neruda
Open Veins of Latin America — Eduardo Galeano
The Motorcycle Diaries — Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind — Yuval Noah Harari

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

If I had to pick one amazing thing I did this year, it would be staying calm and handling everything on my own after being robbed on the street in Cuba — including dealing with a leg injury and the difficulty of finding medicine.
Later, I managed to overcome the PTSD that followed.
That experience taught me strength and self-trust, and it led me to meet even more beautiful people and moments afterward.

Teach, Learn, Share

we can share the experience and culture or anything you interested~

What I Can Share with Hosts

1. Chinese Tea Ceremony 🍵
I love tea! I’ve studied traditional Chinese tea culture and brewing techniques under a teacher.
If you have a kettle, we can enjoy a cup of tea together and I can share the meaning behind different teas and tea rituals.

2. Outdoor Activities ⛰️
I used to work as an outdoor group leader, organizing hikes and mountain trips.
If you enjoy outdoor adventures like trekking or nature walks, I’d be happy to join you and explore together.

3. Cooking 👩🏻‍🍳
My parents used to run a restaurant, and I grew up helping out there. Cooking has always been my way to relax on weekends.
I know a variety of Chinese regional dishes and also learned how to make some traditional Chinese pastries.
If we can find the ingredients, I’d love to cook for you and share the taste of my home.

4. Language Exchange 💬
I can help you practice English, and my Spanish is now at a conversational level.
If you’re interested in learning Chinese, I’d be very happy to teach you some basics or chat about Chinese expressions and culture.

5. Story Sharing ✈️
After traveling for over a year across Latin America, I’ve collected many stories — about people, nature, culture, and small coincidences on the road.
If you like travel stories, I’d love to share them with you.

6. Cultural Exchange 🌏
While volunteering in Colombia, I often shared stories about Chinese and East Asian culture.
It turned out to be such an interesting and fun topic — I’d love to continue those conversations.

7. Work Skills 💼
From my previous career, I have experience in travel route design, marketing, and training.
If your work is somehow related, I’d be happy to exchange ideas or discuss creative projects together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Mexico