CURRENT MISSION

Work, rest, meditate and manifest !!

ABOUT ME

Hello all ! You have reached a window into our life in Nairobi, welcome! My name is Tristen and my wife is Gertrude. We married in 2012, and for the past three years we have been hosting and assisting people travelling to, in and around Kenya & East Africa!! We welcome you to Kenya, our home; also a window into our life in Nairobi.

We have travelled all over East Africa using most available transport, having only recently bought a car we are more knowledgable about the working routes of busses, shuttles and matatus etc. When we have the time we try to offer some of this experience to Kenya bound adventurers, in their time and window of exposure with us. As we love to travel ourselves and know a fair bit about the basic needs of travellers. We love to compare notes, experiences and comparisons to world countries with our guests, when we have the time.

We have a fond respect for those choosing to cycle in Africa as a destination (yes it is possible) - giving up everything and putting it on a bike, amazing. Through the cyclists we have hosted we feel we've travelled to West African countries, shared obscure border crossing and far continents in the humble surroundings of our living room. Great admirable qualities these people exude.

Nairobi can be a difficult place to propose a visit so if you have any questions feel free to message and we will do our best to help. Being a Kenyan - UK couple we have lots of experience and perspective which may be useful to your own trip, beyond just the standard logistical advice.

PHILOSOPHY

1. It's what you 'be' rather than what you do.
2. The truth always argues itself.
3. Ask a stupid question...you get a stupid answer.
eg Qu: "How much is it?" Ans: "How much do you have?!?"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We started our joint surfing experience in Addis Ababa in 2010, when we communicated and stayed with a local there. After returning we decided to open our home to help and assist people of a similar mindset, who were coming to Kenya.

Since then hosting, has quite literally opened up the world into our living room far more than expected. It has brought the outside world to our own special places when we have shared those with our guests and our unique joint perspective has been shone to our guests; the mutual exchange has made the best of friends and brought the memorable experiences.

We have had some very special times and met some special people through CS, but CS also attracts the 'Dark' too. Opening up your home has consequences and we have had some negative happenings - but we live and learn and such experiences make us stronger and make for good stories in the right company.

We have taken and met couch surfers in many areas in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.....when possible we love to make a real connection with our visitors to help them on their way. If you are just seeking a 'place to crash' there are many in Nairobi and our home is not for you.

We believe in giving and seeking the best out of all scenarios forging opportunities where and when possible and look forward to being around people with a similar enthusiastic outlook.

We help, host and correspond with those who need a helping (possibly guiding) hand in one of Africa's challenging capital cities.

When it comes to surfing we have had our most vivid experience in Ethiopia - If you have travelled there on a budget you know the kind of highs and lows possible. We have also surfed in Burundi, Rwanda and even on a small island in Seychelles but to stay in someones home we have found through hosting, the connection and the mindset is the only thing which is important for a joint positive experience between host and guest and if there are reservations then just move on....that is what travellers do :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Extremely positive in both surfing and hosting. So far the surfers who have passed through, most intended to stay short periods but found that Nairobi and its surrounds has much to offer than the guide books know about..

In 2011 we became exposed to Turkana and spent two months from Lodwar, up the shores of Western Lake Turkana to and through South West Ethiopia, to the Capital and Eastern Ethiopia. The most spiritual and arduous experience was the 12 days we spent in no-mans land between Kenya and Ethiopia staying with River Omo tribes people in the Illemi Triangle. - There are no C/S ers there, just shiftas, bandits and very very hot sand. A special place with no creature comforts but a place where people live and call their home. We felt privileged, enriched but exhausted after that trip.

In 2014 we will continue to open our home to couchsurfers and receive free spirited creative people, which couchsurfing attracts in abundance.

Interests

Outdoors getting fresh air whenever we can. Nairobi can be hectic. We try to go walking once every couple of weeks, if not more. Our walks with couchsufers have ranged from the slums of Nairobi to the hills of Tavetta, Ngong and frequently Machakos. When we can create 4 or 5 days of freedom we hop into Tanzania for a complete relax.

We love interacting with people, if it be in our home or even better in the outdoors. We feel privileged to have met the wonderful people we have through couchsurfing and it continues to enrich our lives.'

• culture
• books
• beer
• meditation
• walking
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• surfing
• boxing
• tourism
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Oh yes Nairobi is full of pirate DVD's!!!
Music: Old school rock, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones etc
Books: Currently reading Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Couch Surfer Will = Legend! Best and worst experience of my life wrapped into a whole weekend. A story to be told in person....with a beer in hand!!

Teach, Learn, Share

Useful advice for first time travelers in Kenya.

1) Come with an old unlocked phone and buy a cheap Kenyan SIM at the airport. 50-100 KES.

2) Don't assume peoples understanding or good intention. Kenyans have a stereotypical approach to Westerners and that is, money. If you talk $US then you are playing their game, think outside the box and think local !!

3) Don't engage conversation with people who come up to talk to you whilst walking in the street, unless you are 100% certain you know them. A lot of 'confidence tricksters' in Nairobi and they are very good at what they do.

4) Never get on an Eldoret Express bus...it is a contradiction....not express but sometimes does go to Eldoret :)

5) Don't try to book accommodation, safaris etc online, in my experience in Kenya other than an airline ticket there is no such thing as being 'booked in.' Get someone local to do it for you at a fraction of the price.

6) Nairobi is much safer than the guide books make out, don't believe the hype but do be respectfully aware that everything is likely to be different than where you come from.

7) Summit is the best Kenyan beer, not Tusker. Most likely place to find it - Embakasi, Embu and Naivasha.

8) Remember the other SEVEN pieces of advice!!

Most of all be open with yourselves in this opposite culture and allow yourself the time to enjoy it.

Countries I’ve Visited

Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania

Countries I’ve Lived In

Kenya