Liberal, Former National Athlete, Traveler, Social democracy proponent

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Couch surfing happens to be a great platform to connect with people, people who have one thing in common - "Travelling". I am new to this world and have so far found it to be pretty amazing. Looking forward to interact with like minded folks. My couch is there for you if you are in need!

****Experience in Europe****

In 2015, I was a part of the student exchange programme between my university and Saarland University in Saarbrucken, Germany. I was based out of Saarbrucken for the duration of my stay in Europe. I travelled across 34 cities and 15 countries, throughout the continent and it was a completely different experience for me.

Alas! What do I say about this incredible experience I had. Perhaps, it's difficult to narrate this awesomeness, this uniqueness that I experienced for three months in a stretch, through a few words, a few sentences. Going to a completely alien land with completely alien cultures (some very accommodative, some not), not really knowing what lies in store for me. Understanding people even better, Indians abroad, Americans, Germans, Spanish, Hungarians, Austrians, French and what not. The arrogance and the liberal nature of the French, the systematicity and the sophistication of the Germans, carefree nature of the Spanish and the Belgians, the party culture of Hungarians and the Czechs, the liberal nature of the Dutch, the irritating activities of Chinese(tourists), the cultural ethos and the uber cool attitude of the Austrians, the snobbishness of the Swiss, the rich history and the picturesque landscape of the Italians, the amazing Slovenes, and the somewhat weird Polish people, everybody taught me one thing or the other.

From eating so many types of food and cuisine, tasting so many types of wine, beer, whisky et al., hopping and partying from one bar to another, one club to another, doing incessant talks all throughout the night with random strangers and dancing all night with them. Telling them about myself, learning more about them. Staying at the homes of random people and trusting them with my security. Meeting so many amazing people in different countries and making life-long friends out of them. Trusting random people for help, learning more about civic etiquette, basic civic sense and above everything learning discipline and management from the best of the lot (Germans :D ).

Understanding what and how much can helping out somebody in the need of the hour impact him/her. Understanding how much far behind are we in India compared to the west in terms of systems, though, simultaneously realising how rich we are in terms of culture and history. Understanding what lies in store for India and what potential it has with it, what we are doing right here, what we are doing wrong here, what other people are doing right there, what they are doing wrong there. Understanding how people work, behave, how people live in this part of the world which is considered to be the cradle of human civilisation.

Phew!! Alas, I miss Europe and the entire experience of Europe, most importantly the people I met there and the things I learned there. Hopefully, I would go back some time there!!

Cheers!

Interests

Travelling, blogging, reading (non-fiction), sports etc

Music, Movies, and Books

Matrix Trilogy, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Star Wars, Gladiator, Andaz apna apna, Oh My God
Music - Hip Hop, Some bollywood flicks
Books - India after Independence, India after Gandhi

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have a knack for doing adventurous stuff. I have done Rappling, River Rafting (Multiple times), Kayaking, Bungee Jumping, Scuba Diving, Caving, Rifle shooting, planning for a 'sky fall' soon

What I Can Share with Hosts

My knowledge about my multi diverse country, taste for Indian cuisine, my broad understanding about Psychology, societies, cultures etc

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, India