Hey, I'm Alex! I'm from the UK but I'm currently travelling around Asia! I'd love to visit absolutely everywhere I can and meet people along the way!

I love getting to know new people and playing board or card games! Or writing games! Or just hanging out. I freelance as a writer and editor, so I may have to work sometimes, but I hope the rest of the time we can be social.

I'm also a blogger on tumblr (adventures-in-mangaland) and I write and share fanfiction online. Seriously, let's geek out together!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm travelling around Asia at the moment and I'd like to meet new people! So far I've mostly been staying in hostels, which is great for making friends. But I'd love to meet locals! I stayed with my brother in Malaysia, and it made such a difference, as he really showed me the little known places and introduced me to lots of interesting people! I hope I'll get a similar experience through Couchsurfing.

Interests

• books
• anime
• movies
• board games
• animal care
• socializing
• animation
• art history
• history
• solo travel
• art
• food
• manga
• archaeology
• feminism
• graphic novels
• travel stories
• creative writing
• fanfiction

Music, Movies, and Books

Wow, that's tough. I love a lot of things.

I guess, for movies/TV I love Western Animation and Anime. I'm a big fan of Studio Ghibli (my fave is 'The Castle of Cagliostro') and I've loved pretty much all of Pixar. So much nostalgia for Disney too. Current favourites include 'Kubo and the Two Strings' (SO beautiful. I cried. Studio Laika blows my mind), Yuri on Ice and Steven Universe.

I'm a Captain America and Avengers fan. Just Joss Whedon in general (Buffy,
Dollhouse, Firefly, Serenity).

I also really like Period Dramas ('Hornblower'! 'North & South'!).

Recently, I've really enjoyed 'Stranger Things', 'Orphan Black', 'Agent Peggy Carter' and 'Fargo'.

My music taste is pretty eclectic, but in general I like pop, rock, indie and classical music. I've dipped into JPop, but I'm always happy to listen to new things and local artists!

As for books, I love manga, graphic novels, fantasy fiction and historical novels!

I have a big manga collection, including the whole of 'Fruits Basket' and volumes of Skip Beat!, Vampire Knight, Bleach, Ouran High School Host Club, Full Metal Alchemist, Black Butler, Death Note, Mars, Kamisama Hajimamashita... Quite a few others. I've also tried out manhua and manua, and I'm always open to recs!

My favourite authors include Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen, Robin Hobb, Lindsey Davis, JK Rowling, CS Lewis, Tamora Pierce, Agatha Christie... It's a mixed bag.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I volunteered at Bristol Zoo for six months! I mostly worked with guests in Animal Walk Through areas, which was awesome, as the Keepers have ALL the Zoo gossip, but I also got to learn some animal husbandry with the invertebrae! And I got to take the African Pancake Tortoise and ferrets for walks (not at the same time). And papier-mâchéd toys for the lions.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd just like to learn about the places I visit. Interesting places to visit, good places to eat etc. Mostly I'd like to learn about what it's like to live somewhere. What you as a local like doing, etiquette, what's popular, what you think of the rest of the world... I am always happy to swap ideas! And share travel stories. I've had an interesting trip, and I'm sure it'll keep getting better. :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have a TEFL certificate and I've taught French and Conversational English before. I'm absolutely happy to help out with language practice or proofreading written English too.

I love kids and animals, so I'm willing to help out with either.

Countries I’ve Visited

Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Portugal, United Kingdom