Hey! I'm Will, a food and culture writer, nature lover, and language nerd. I love to talk, and share knowledge and experiences with people (it's the main reason I like travelling so much!). I consider myself a very open and honest person, both in how I talk about myself and in how I treat others. I'm not such a party animal, but I love meeting people and making new friends.

I first discovered real travel after I left music college in London and moved to Japan for a year. I quickly realised my fascination in studying the local cultures, languages, arts and, of course, the food! The biggest revelation to me, though, was how recognising the value of the bonds I formed with the many local friends and families I met along the way.
Since then, I've become obsessed with this immersive approach to travel (having WWOOFed, WorkAwayed, homestayed or volunteered in most of the countries I've visited since), and have developed a particular interest in Asia.

Along with Japan, I have also lived in Bali, Indonesia for a year, as well as spending many much of the last 6 years exploring Italy with my girlfriend who is from there. I am currently based in Bali on an extended research and study trip. I am hoping to use this time to delve deeper into traditional local food and cultural practices, as well as pursuing various courses on local permaculture/regenerative farming sites.
As my understanding of the many peoples and communities in this region grows, I feel more and more that we are much more connected by our shared experiences and struggles than we are separated by our differences, and it is my wish to share this feeling with as many people as possible!

I might ask if you're available to host me, but I also don't mind sorting my own accommodation. It is really the experience of getting a local's perspective on a place (and the world!) that is most valuable to me, so I would be delighted even if you are only free to to meet up and wander around for a couple of hours - perhaps share a bite to eat out, introduce me to some of your favourite places, teach me a bit of your first language, or show me some local customs... And if you are comfortable inviting me to join for some real local home cooking, you'll have made my week and I'll bring the wine/dessert and do the dishes!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I haven't hosted or been hosted yet, mostly because I've enjoyed a variety of other homestay experiences (WWOOF, Workaway, au pair-ing, etc.) on my travels over years. I have however met up with a few potential hosts who have since become good long-term (albeit long-distance!) friends, and I am always keen to meet up with local people (or even other travellers) if they are free to do so.

I love the ethos of shared experiences that CS aims to cultivate, and am always excited to see what sort of people it can bring me into contact with!

Interests

• writing
• walking
• music
• swimming
• languages
• food

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music, and am always looking for new varieties to check out. I recently discovered, for example, traditional Korean keomungo and taegeum music, along with the Chinese guqin - amazing!

I'm also a big fan of movies of all kinds, although I have a particular soft spot for Sci-Fi. I'll watch anything if it's set in an interesting place or features a different language, though. :)

I've always loved to read fiction, although these days I tend to read books on the places I'm visiting or the languages I'm studying...My real guilty pleasure is reading cookbooks (that's right, READING, not just cooking from!), which is part of the reason I've accidentally become a bit of a walking encyclopaedia on various cuisines.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The best day job I've ever had: working full-time as a basic prep chef in a 100-year-old sushi shop in the central wholesale market in Osaka. The hours were crazy (4am-3pm), the customers demanding (it has a reputation as one of the best shops in the city), and the work was repetitive (mix the rice, wash some plates, mix more rice), but I loved it!
My then boss, Mr. Endo, is 4th generation but the sweetest, most humble guy you could imagine, and, together with the other 6 members of staff, it felt like one happy sushi family (in fact, half of them were).

If you're ever in Osaka and looking for some of the most melts-in-the-mouth sushi you'll ever have, head over to the Chuo Ichiba near Noda station for an unforgettable breakfast or lunch experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I never want to stop learning, and am open to taking on whatever someone believes is worth teaching.
I'm also happy to teach what I can of the different languages and cuisines I've studied over the years!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My travel experiences so far - the amazing places I've stayed and the beautiful people I've met.
My enthusiasm for language, food, the environment, music, films, tea, and so many other things that capture my imagination.

If you're curious about British culture, I'm happy to share what I know of that with you, as well...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Indonesia, Japan, United Kingdom