I'm from South Africa but lived in London (UK) from 2009 - 2023 where I practiced as an architect. I'm particularly interested in vernacular forms construction, natural building materials and sustainability and have undertaken personal research projects, including continued research on rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia (2015 - 2020). In my routine London life, I cycled daily and enjoyed going to exhibitions, architecture talks / events, live music, festivals (or a boogey) and socialising with friends in bars, cafes, parks etc... I've had a passion for travelling for as long as I can remember and enjoy spending time in nature / the outdoors whenever I get the chance.

In June 2023 I left my London-based job(and life) and got a one-way flight to Cairo, Egypt. I've been travelling ever-since. I spent 8 months travelling the 'Middle East' and hitch-hiking through Arabia before returning to South America (I was here in 2020/11). I've been in Brazil for the past 4 months, living and loving every moment, and slowly making my way up to Mexico.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm easy going, social and enjoy exposing myself to other cultures and experiences. I travel on public transport wherever possible and love meeting people, hearing their stories and understanding the places I visit through their eyes. Couchsurfing is a way to facilitate meaningful exchange and encourage a more holistc understanding and approach to travel.

Interests

• architecture
• photography
• music
• travel
• art
• football

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - I like a broad range of music but some current favourites include Parcels, Nu Genea, Theivery Cooperation and Sona Jobarteh...

Movies - Hyper Normalisation, a documentary by Adam Curtis I recommend to anyone travelling around the Middle East.
The Prophet (Kahlil Gibran)

Books - Americanah, a novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,
Destiny Disrupted - A History Of The World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary,
The Hundred Years' War On Palestine by Rashid Khalidi.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Collective design and self-build project using hempcrete and other natural materials to create a small yoga studio in rural Cambridge.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've presented independent research on numerous occasions including at an international conference in Ethiopia and Italy and universities and architecture organisations based in the UK.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My travel, personal and professional experiences.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Ethiopia, France, French Guiana, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Oman, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa, United Kingdom