A recent Couchsurfer called me a bear - of the 'Teddy' denomination. Whether she was attributing to my forested face follicular fetish or just my fanciful follysome foodie fernweh -you'll have to meet me to find out :) In my defense, burly and bearded for 16 years - and going strong.

Cooking is my 'Heimat' : so it's where I start the day and it's where I find the deepest solace when the going gets tough. While other men spend their fortunes on perfumes, cars and fashion accessories - I go all natty picking my knives, cutting boards, moka pots and lemon zesters. I like to eat fresh and seldom, if ever, will settle for processed fast food. You'll be well fed when I'm around - I'll almost always make breakfast before you wake up, so yeah, I'm romantic like that :P

Ardently vegetarian - but have no bones to pick with those who choose to eat meat. My gripe is with people who fight for the rights of dogs and cats, but find little moral dilemma when they relish the meat of poultry chicken force fed with steroidal hormones and pigs that are reared in an inhumane way. Free range is the way to go.

I have a deeply inherent desire to ease suffering of any kind. I'm a good listener, can do magic with my fingers and can often accurately diagnose (and offer natural cures) for most everyday conditions. My cousin, who's a doctor, finds my abilities bad for his business - so enough said :D

I love what my hands can do. So whether it concerns getting them dirty in the garage, cooking, carving a beer can into something of more use or giving you a massage - my hands are proud and always in the picture.

Other keywords that encompass my foolish sense of being are : Photography. Motorcycle maintenance (I have 5), writing with ink pens, drunken poetry and sardonic haiku.

I spend a lot of time thinking about 'The Book' that I will one day get around to writing one day, why people lie even after they get caught, why people waste food that they could have easily given away, how a silly giggle or a barrage of tears multiplies a woman's beauty and how much adding to this list makes me happy.

I often entertain the ridiculous - so if you're an oddball, then remember. I'm ticklish :D

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've traversed the lengths and breaths of India in my 34 years here - on foot, mototcycle, train and of recently, in planes. So if you've got questions, I might have some interesting answers. I understand my culture fairly well - so any misgivings you might have about India, ask. Mostly, there's a good reason for the things being the way they are.

I know Mumbai and Pune really well - so if you're coming to stay in Mumbai (in the working week) or in Pune (over the weekend), I'll definitely show you a good time.

I care for my guests well and ensure they get a taste of some local madness as long as they are my guests.

Couchsurfing is, to put it succinctly, a form of travel karma. Do good and good will be done unto you.

Interests

Jazz Music
I've relished my stay in New Orleans. Other Jazz capitals coming soon.

Photography
Sold my 5D. Got myself an Olympus Pen. 17.5mm lens, if you know your glass. The Voigtlander Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 is my next buy. Drool away!

Agriculture
Growing stuff to eat stuff later.

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything they wrote -
James Clavell
Jack Kerouac
Jiddu Krishnamurti
(Prefer prosaic, wavy and descriptive to predictible)

Anything directed by -
Innaritu
Almodovar
Soderburg
Woody Allen
(I need intensity and a sense of destiny in a plot. Humdrum and Sci-fi doesn't cut it for me)

Anything sung by -
Pearl Jam
Alice in Chains
Tom Waits
Fleetwood Mac
Aerosmith
Classic Rock of most kinds.
Copious amounts of Rory Gallagher
Blends of Slow Jazz. Hindustani Classical. And Carribean soul music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Mostly been too nice to people who don't deserve it.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'll learn anything 'handsy' from you.

I've never been able to paint - so if you're staying with me long, please try. I rue the fact that even a dab of paint with my hands, looks like a pigeon poo splat.

If you're willing to teach me new tricks, I'm a sucker for that :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Ask.
I'm generous to a fault.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

India