Hello / Bonjour / Hola / Guten Tag / नमस्ते / مرحبا / నమస్కారం

*** February 2024 Update: ****

I'm back online, and will be travelling around the Telugu speaking working. I'll be in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from February 2024 until May 2024.
I'm hoping to improve my Telugu.

If anyone wants to meet up, let me know. I don't have a plan where I want to go, or what I want to do. However my main goal is to immerse myself in the language and culture.

I can also help anyone who wishes to learn/improve their English, French, Spanish.

I also ALWAYS carry a frisbee with me, so if you are into frisbee, I would be happy to meet, and play. If you have never thrown a frisbee, I will teach you all the throws (backhand, flick, hammer, etc).

I am also into running, and will be running my second half-marathon when I return to Canada in May 2024. If anyone is also into running, we can go on some nice runs.

Looking forward to meeting you!

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If requesting to stay, please indicate that you have read my "home" section.

Also, if requesting, please at least use my name in the opening line (I wish I didn't have to write this).

***Note that I now (after March 2020) live in Ottawa***

*** I'm fully vaccinated against Covid-19, but please remember that we are far from having this virus under control, so please take the necessary precautions to stay safe ***

***Until Covid settles down, I will be using CS only to meet people and organize OUTDOOR events such as Language Exchanges and hikes.

When things open up and it is safe to meet again, I will be ready to host in Ottawa***

**Please check my "home" section and be aware that I can offer very limited in terms of accomodations**

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Why am I on Couchsurfing? It's simple. The world is full of amazing people, with amazing stories to share.
Unfortunately we normally only get outside of our comfort zone and meet these people while travelling, but thanks to Couchsurfing I can continue to work, and still have to opportunity to meet all kinds of amazing people.
The best part is that all this can happen without leaving my own city.

If you are sending a request, please let me know if your dates are hard (meaning fixed), or soft (meaning approximate). If you only have soft dates, I'll let you know what I am doing around the dates you requested, if I am free the whole time, or if a couple of the days I am unavailable to chill. I understand that when travelling sometimes things change, so don't worry, and just go with the flow.

Also, I understand that sometimes the unexpected happens, and you can no longer visit, or you need to cut your visit short. If that happens, all I ask is that you keep me informed if your plans change.

During the day I work in the concrete business (and I can bore you to death talking about concrete, as well as teach you the difference between concrete and cement (and YES, there is a major difference)), but in my free time I like to take photos, play ultimate frisbee (if you've never heard of it, Youtube it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7h5nNYyH8M)), play volleyball, and drink coffee.

Some other activities I enjoy include: curling (Canadian Sport), Rock Climbing (bouldering), Softball, Baseball, Ping Pong ( table tennis ), badminton, tennis, squash.

I have been working on a photography project where I take one photo every day. I have been doing this since September 2012 and have found it to be an amazing project and a great way to reflect on my life. The video that inspired me to start this is by someone named Jonathan Harris and it is called TODAY :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH7YxbuZQs8&t=3s

People have often described me as a "YES" man. It is rare that someone will propose a new activity and I will say no to it. I believe you should try everything at least once before you make a judgement on it. Therefore if I am hosting you, I will ask you to pick a place to eat or an activity, because this allows me to try something new.

I speak English and French, and am currently learning Spanish. During the process of learning Spanish, I learned that I really enjoy learning about other languages, and have started learning bits of other languages including Arabic, German, Hindi, Portuguese and ASL (American Sign Language). If you speak any of these languages, or any others, I would love to learn more about the language you speak.

Here is a list of a couple events happening in and around Ottawa
(This list is slowly being built)

Monday nights:
Karaoke (Atomic Rooster)

Tuesdat

If this is your first time in Montreal (or perhaps you have been here a couple times but haven't explored much), this is what I typically recommend to see and do:

- Visit Mount Royal and get a nice overlook of the city (really great spot for the sunrise)

- Walk around the Old Port of Montreal (find a nice restaurant or a nice coffee shop, or perhaps you'll find an awesome busker performing on the street)

- Go to Tam Tams (every Sunday during the summer)

- Visit the Olympic Stadium (cool fact: it is the highest INCLINED tower in the world)

- Go on a walking tour.

- Museum of Fine Arts (free if you are under 30 years old)

- Go see a show in the "Quartier des Spectacles" area (there is always a festival happening there: Just for Laughs, Jazz Festival, etc).

- Walk through the "Underground City"

- Walk around St-Laurent Boulevard and look at the Urban Art (and if you are in town during the summer, check out Mural Fest ( http://2017.muralfestival.com/en/home/ )

- Eat a Poutine ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine )

- Listen to some live music at Hurley's (normally starts after 9pm EVERY night) (1225 Crescent Street) OR at L'Escalier (552 St-Catherine East)

- Catch a Comedy Show at the Comedy Nest or Comedy Works

- Find a piece of the Berlin Wall Hidden in Montreal and other works (https://artpublicmontreal.ca/)

- Visit St-Joseph's Oratory for a beautiful Sunset.

- Watch a Professional Ultimate Frisbee match ( Montreal Royals (https://royalultimate.com/en/calendrier-2/ ))

- MundoLingo, Barbie Expo, Wax Museum, Outdoor Skating, Explore Chinatown (the list will keep expanding)

***Si tu hablas espanol, or you want to learn Spanish, I run the "Encuentro de Espanol" every Sunday at L'escalier (St Catherine St E) from 8:30pm until whenever. It's a language exchange where we meet to practice speaking Spanish. If you want to know more just ask.***
*** I also recommend MundoLingo ( https://mundolingo.org/city.html?cityId=3 ). They meet every Tuesday and Friday and it's a great way to meet people, and practice a language. It's also an activity you can go to solo***.

***Public Transit Info***

The STM is the organization that runs Montreal's Public Transit. The bus AND metro operate under the same organization, and thus you can use your STM pass on both the metro and bus.

We have a couple "packages", which are useful if you are in town for a couple days.
Updated info about the prices can be found here:
http://www.stm.info/en/info/fares/transit-fares

NOTE: The time starts when it is "activated" (which means the first time you use the Public Transit). You can purchase a pass in advance, the time of purchase is NOT the activation time.

Below are the highlights (prices are from 2019) and all prices are in CANADIAN Dollars (also using the symbol $)

Weekend Pass:
$13.75
Valid from 4pm Friday until 5am Monday

3-Day Pass:
$19
Valid for 3 days starting the day it is first used (NOTE, it is NOT for 72 hours. If you use it at 11am on Tuesday, it will expire Thursday at 11:59 pm on Thursday)

1-Day Pass:
$10
Valid for 24 hours from the time it is activated.

1-Time Pass
$3.25
Valid for 2 hours (120 minutes) when it is first used.

These transit passes can be purchased at any Metro Station. If you go to the ticket counter (with a human) it is Cash-Only. They have machines in the stations as well that you can purchase with credit card.

If you take a bus, you can only purchase a 1-time ticket and it is EXACT change only (no credit card, and no money will be returned).

If you are coming from the airport (YUL) the best is to take the 747 bus. You need to purchase a day ticket or weekend pass (a 1-time will not work). The 747 goes to Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM stations.

Also, I find Google Maps works amazingly. If you are trying to get around, just Google Maps it. They always know the Montreal transit timetable.
Therefore you do not need a special app or anything.

***END of Transit Section***

***NOTE, I work a Monday to Friday, 9-5 job. I will be glad to host during the week, but note that during business hours I will be unavailable to show you around. But I will gladly meet you after my work to explore the area

Definitely do contact other travellers using Public Trips.***

***Also note, I live in an area of Montreal called "Ville St-Laurent". It is located about 15 minute drive from the downtown Montreal area, or about 50 minutes by bus and metro.

(Henri-Bourassa / Félix-Leclerc
Montreal, Quebec H4R 3E1, Canadá
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bUanrCTPnUUVMkFm9)***

*****If you are driving, please remember that it is illegal to make a right turn on a red light anywhere on the Island of Montreal*****

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

A couple years ago a friend of mine from university visited me, and told me that he thought I would really enjoy couchsurfing. He said it really matched my personality and outlook on life.

I met up with this friend again a couple years later (January 2017) who asked me if I had joined CS. I told him no, and decided that it was time I join.

Thanks to CS, I have had the opportunity to host some amazing people including:

- A Solo female hitchiker who hitchiked across Canada and inspired me to travel

- A DJ who taught me how to mix music all while sitting at home.

- A Comedian who taught me all about the Stand-Up Comedy scene in Montreal and got me access to see his shows

- A medidation student who showed me how a one-week meditation course can change your life.

- Several Spanish Speaking travellers who taught me Spanish during their stay with me.

And soooo many more...

As a guest, I have stayed with some amazing people which led me to:

- Attend an Indian wedding in India

- Learn about the values of Bananas during the cold war.

- Hike some amazing hidden trails in the North East of India

- Visit the amazing wadis and deserts of Oman

And much much more.

Thanks for Hangouts, I have met some amazing people such as:

- Several Polyglots who taught me that it is possible to learn 4 or 5 or 6 languages with a little bit of effort.

- A professional female football (soccer) player who taught me all about the female professional leagues around the world

- A biologist who let me join her on an expedition to Antarctica

And much much more...

Interests

• photography
• cooking
• coffee
• running
• board games
• chess
• billiards
• music
• hiking
• volleyball
• table tennis
• history
• languages
• sign language
• mountains
• english
• pool
• biking
• museums
• ultimate frisbee
• learning new languages
• ping pong
• arabic
• french
• ultimate
• trombone

Music, Movies, and Books

I like a wide range of music. Everything from Pop to Rap to Country, Jazz and Classical. It's rare you'll hear me say I don't like a genre.

My current favourite song is "Chicken Fried" by Zac Brown Band. Some of my other favourite songs include:

"Sur Ma Route" by Black M
"Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crows
"Memories" by David Guetta
"Home For A Rest" by Spirit Of The West
"Sub Su'a Job" by Mad'Moizèle Giraf
"Remember The Name" by Fort Minor
"Go For A Soda" by Kim Mitchell
"Zombies" by The Cranberries
"Mafiosa" by Lartiste
"Latinoamericana" by Aztra

Favourite movies include: Crash, Les Intouchables, Tuck Everlasting, Blood Diamond, but I must admit that I am not an avid movie goer

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taught myself Spanish (with the help of apps, podcasts, and language exchanges)

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you the many ways to throw a frisbee. I can also teach you French or English. I can teach you the phonetic alphabet or how to identify all the flags of the world. I can teach you how to be safe around a kitchen when cooking with oil and teach what you should and should NOT do when cooking with hot oil.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can offer my guests a couch to sleep on, and a tour of Montreal, a night out exploring some restaurants and bars. Or anything in the surrounding areas (Laurentians) for some hiking or skiing.

If you like biking, I can take you out on a bike tour of Montreal (there are some really good bike paths all around the city and Bixi's (the bike-sharing system) can be picked up all over.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malta, Nepal, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada