Hello! my name is Alexander (but everyone calls me Xan), I'm a 23 year old travelling around the world, looking to meet new people and create some amazing new experiences! I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and its still home for me, but educated in South Africa and the UK so really home has been all over the place. After graduating from the University of Manchester in 2015, I set out travelling, living in Australia in 2016, and visiting New Zealand, Indonesia and a few others. After this I lived in Holland for a bit and am now in London, saving up for the next big adventure. Eventually I plan to go back to uni and do a masters and hopefully end up working back in Africa. If you have any more questions about me, feel free to fire away!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on couchsurfing because it provides a unique way to experience the world and interact with people from all different backgrounds! People I can't wait to meet!

Interests

I'd say my main interest in life is definitely history and I love reading about parts I don't know much about, but don't worry, I won't drone on about it...for too long ;) I also played Trombone for 12 years and recently started guitar although I've had to put both of those on hold whilst I travel (too much to carry!). Seeing the world is something I think everyone needs to do and its my passion to see as much of ti as possible. Although I'm not the sportiest person, I do love a bit of cricket and rugby and find watching most sports enjoyable- after all half the fun is the atmosphere!

Music, Movies, and Books

Music- Reggae (I had a reggae radio show at uni called Reggae Roots Radio!)

Movies- Big fan of historical mystery types like The Da Vinci Code, Sherlock Holmes etc as well as a good war movie (the Patriot, Fury, Last of the Mohicans, 13 Hours) but to be honest, I'm such a film fan that I like most movies!

Books- Love a good fantasy like LOTR, Eragon series etc but massive fan of historical novels like Bernard Cornwell and Flashman by George McDonald Fraser. But I'll give any book a crack as always looking to expand my reading horizons.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Me and 8 friends did a road trip from Nairobi all the way up to Ethiopia and back over 6 weeks, across some of the harshest terrain in Africa and with barely any roads- it was incredible! We had to avoid bandits, build bridges and roads, catch some massive fish and see some unforgettable landscapes. Truly the adventure of a lifetime!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My knowledge of Swahili, several well received puns, some excellent conversation, African knowledge, historical input and smiles (and perhaps some Kenyan coffee/trinket)!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, England, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands, South Africa, United Kingdom