CURRENT MISSION

To do everything on my bucket list U30 edition. Two years to go.

ABOUT ME

Okay so here are a few travel beliefs of mine in no particular order, just as they come to mind:

1. It's easy to forget that the majority of people are good when you are at home and know exactly how everything works. When you travel things are bound to not work out as planned and there are always strangers who will help you get where you need to go or if that's impossible they will make sure that you still have a good time.
2. There's always a way to communicate and share a laugh with each other even if you don't speak each other's languages.
3. No place I have ever been to has been as threatening as it's made out to be.
4. Instead of running around to check off all the sights I prefer to take it slow, walk or drive around if possible and just explore.
5. Although I like to chat I believe that to really connect with something beautiful, like the view from Table Mountain, that silence, even if it's just for a few minutes helps.
6. I always carry a notebook around and try to capture special experiences by taking a few quick notes. When I have a quiet moment to myself I write it down. Writing makes me notice details better.
7. Sometimes it pays to be patient. A lot of people seem to expect "nature to perform" once they're there. I've experienced it a few times that nothing happened, most people left and then suddenly when most other people where gone the lava started flowing or whatever.
8. Every person is interesting if you get past their defences. If your own are down it's easier to get there...
9. You never know what happens. One day you're roaming the streets and next thing you know you're having a shabbat dinner with 100 Jews or talking to a Muslim taxi driver in Jordon who used to play the violin in your neighbouring country.
10. It hurts me to waste a nice subject or great lighting as I love photography. It complements writing so well in documenting travel so that others and myself can enjoy it, even when it's long gone.
11. Sometimes it's great to be utterly surprised by a foreign culture but often a bit of background knowledge or at least the desire to learn more about it enhances the experience.
12. I love to hear about other people's travels.
13. It annoys me if people don't respect culture / people or can only hold on to their prejudice and black and white thinking.

PHILOSOPHY

I am constantly exploring my personal philosophy by learning from others and being reflective about most things that happen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Meetup for coffee and other activities and travelling with other couch surfers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I once hosted a few people on a rival's network which shall not be named.

Interests

Writing, reading, photography, travelling, eating good food, appreciating nature, learning new things, sailing, getting to know what people really are passionate about and what they believe in.

• culture
• writing
• performing arts
• photography
• dining
• coffee
• running
• working out
• reading
• traveling
• violin
• sailing
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Coldplay makes me feel at home wherever I am. Discussing How I met your Mother does somehow never gets boring. On the Road by Jack Kerouac made me speed and The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson still makes me laugh although I've read it at least four times.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have been blessed to see many things which were amazing to me. Here a few that come to mind from the current year:
-Cape Town: the Apostles, Table Mountain view, Camps Bay, Chapman's Peak
-watching wild elephants
-attending a Jewish wedding from start to finish

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Switzerland, United States

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