CURRENT MISSION

"Don't keep your eyes only on your mobile phone."

ABOUT ME

I left Canada a few years ago to teach abroad. I chose Turkey without ever having been there, and that worked out well. I chose Holland after that, again, without ever having been there, and that was great too. And now with the same indifference, or ignorance, or sense of adventure??, I've moved to Hong Kong. So I've learned that expectations and preconceptions go out the window as every place has something to offer so long as you're willing to take advantage of it. Taking advantage of those moments is something I'm trying to work on, so I think getting involved in the CS project will help with that.

PHILOSOPHY

It asks, "Why do you live your life"? Oh dear! The alternative seems to grim! I'm still working on this.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've always felt that living like a local, wherever I've gone, was the best way to enjoy my travels. A friend of mine turned me on to CS, and told me he'd met such welcoming and interesting people. I've met these kinds of people as well, and I'm happy to reciprocate the gesture. Besides, I'm most usually traveling alone so I know how great it can me to have a local giving you a break. So at the moment I'm easing my way into hosting people, and I'm always available for a coffee or drink, as well as helping someone figure things out in Amsterdam while they're here.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted a few people now, and been hosted once. The best of my experiences didn't involved staying with anyone, but meeting them for a drink and exploring the city with them. My experiences have all been positive thus far but I'm also selective about who I choose. I've met some really great people! I'm finding it difficult to host people during the week. I look on the CouchRequests page and respond to posts when I know my schedule will allow it, but otherwise it's best if I host on the weekends. I think the lemon is the noblest of fruits. When you write me be sure to ask why I think that's the case (so that I know you've read this).

Interests

Ice hockey, inline hockey, reading, watching films, learning languages, Habitat for Humanity and other international community initiatives, learning the guitar from scratch

• coffee
• drinking
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• hockey
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill (all volumes), El Apartamento de Locos, Auf der anderen Seite, Dave Matthew's Band, Oi Va Voi, Sezan Aksu, Thievery Corporation, Regina Spektor, A Fine Balance, Shantaram, The Glass Castle

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Participated in the RedBull FlugTag 2008 in Istanbul. My teammates and I jumped off of a 12m platform, wearing a hospital gowns and helmets, in front of 85,000 spectators.

Teach, Learn, Share

I really want to continue learning Spanish and French. I'd be interested in CouchSurfing in Spain, France and South America just for the language-related benefits alone. I'm getting back into music after so many years by taking up the guitar. I hope it's not too late!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Romania, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey