CURRENT MISSION

To see the world and meet lots of people. I want to get to see the real place and culture and not just the tourist sites.

ABOUT ME

I am quite relaxed and easygoing, and I am a genuine person. I'm a bit artsy so I like places with character (like a little run down cafe), Tom Waits music, and stuff that isn't ordinary (such as the mad tea party in Alice in Wonderland for example). For example, I would rather be down in the local pub where no tourists go, having a pint and talking with some of the old regulars rather than being in the dance club up the street. I would rather chat with Jacques the crazy Parisian grocery store owner than see the Eiffel Tower. I've got a government job at the moment.

PHILOSOPHY

Some quotes I like:

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while you could miss it." - From Ferris Bueller's Day off

Also, it's everyday language but I really feel "Where there's a will, there's a way."

And a lot of stuff from Thoreau's Walden Pond about not being materialistic and ruled by money.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It is always a great experience. You get to make international contacts, friends, and get local knowledge that makes your trip so much better.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Istanbul (Turkey), Basel (Switzerland), Berlin (Germany), Cork (Ireland), New York State

Interests

Photography, reading, playing pool, movies, castles, travel, food, history.

• culture
• photography
• dining
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• billiards
• history
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I like Tom Waits, the Tea Party, heavy stuff.
Books: Fantasy, non-fiction so I can learn new things, and funny travel books. I think McCarthy's Bar by Pete McCarthy is the funniest book ever written.
Movies: Lots.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I think travelling for a year and a half was pretty amazing, I saw lots of amazing things. And I'm glad I did it all on my own without taking an organized tour. Some of the best experiences and craziest stories have come from not being isolated on a tour bus. You really meet the locals while trying to find your way around...and while trying to figure out how to negotiate the public transport system!

But my best experiences have always been sitting down to a traditional meal in a small town with some of the locals I've met (and might be staying with) and talking for a while and truly meeting the people and really getting a feel for the culture of a place.

Teach, Learn, Share

You learn lots of tricks while travelling on a tight budget, and I'm always willing to share info. Plus, I'm always keen to get off the tourist trail and I've ended up seeing a lot of amazing things that most tourists never see but should, so I can make some out of the ordinary recommendations.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United Kingdom

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