CURRENT MISSION

See it all, do it all, eat it all and wash it down with a nice cold beer.

ABOUT ME

I like travelling, meeting new people, eating new food and seeing new things. I did the whole ruthless careerist thing for a few years after I left university, living in London and working as a journalist. I got thoroughly sick of it fairly quickly and have spent the past few years moving around and teaching English, which has been very satisfying. I'm lucky in that my job doesn't just facilitate travelling, which I love, I also like doing it.

PHILOSOPHY

I want to see as much of the world as possible. For me, travel is the most reliable source of joy and wonder I have found.

I think the only way to really experience somewhere is to stay there and explore it, for at least six months.

Unfortunately, there's just not enough time and I don't have enough money to do this for everywhere I want to go.

The next best thing, better than any guidebook or web forum, however good they may be, is to spend time with someone who already lives there and has made all the mistakes I don't have time to make.

What's great about this is, it works both ways. Nothing makes your home seem as fresh, exciting and new as showing it off to someone who's seeing it all for the first time.

That's why I think this website is a good idea.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well, I'm new to the whole thing, but I hope I can help by reaffirming people's belief that most humans are friendly and helpful by being so myself.
And next time I settle somewhere, probably in either Turkey or Central Vietnam, I'll be hosting people too. Stay tuned for details.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

None through the CS network but, when I quit my job a few years ago and decided to travel for a bit, I was amazed by the number of friends-of-friends who offered to put me up more or less indefinitely.

I always tried to help out while I stayed and I enjoyed discovering that strangers become friends pretty quickly when you're stripping wallpaper, digging over vegetable patches or just sharing a few beers.

Interests

One of my favourite activities is sitting somewhere pleasant, drinking and talking to people. I also like going to museums and galleries in new cities with people. Then sitting somewhere pleasant, drinking and talking about what we've seen.

I like writing poetry and short stories. I think the best way to improve is to exchange notes with other people and give each other advice.

• writing
• literature
• poetry
• dining
• beer
• drinking
• traveling
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music and play the guitar and the mandolin, both badly. I particularly like folk, blues, bluegrass, ska, some punk and some jazz, but there's nothing I won't try.

Books, I'm open to all suggestions. My favourite of all time is probably 'Under The Volcano' by Malcolm Lowry, but I reserve the right to change my mind about that at any time, should I be subject to some fit of enthusiasm or other.

Movies I'm a little out of touch with at the moment. Feel free to advise.

Teach, Learn, Share

I got a BA and an MA in English from Cambridge University and am still passionate about both literature and language. I've taught adults how to analyse Shakespeare's sonnets and children how to use the simple present tense. I enjoy and am good at both and would happily exchange either for a couch.

I like driving motorbikes and would love to learn how to maintain and repair them.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Oman, Peru, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Viet Nam