Hi, I’m Avi.

I’m someone who recently stepped away from the security of a 9-to-5 life to travel slowly and intentionally. I’m not chasing destinations or milestones, I’m more interested in people, conversations, and the everyday realities that make each place unique.

By training, I’m a lawyer, and I previously worked as a political strategist in India, closely engaging with governance, public policy, and grassroots realities. While that work taught me how systems function, traveling has taught me something equally important, real understanding comes from listening to people’s lived experiences.

I approach travel with humility and curiosity. I value simple moments: sharing tea after a long day, learning about a neighborhood through a local’s eyes, or helping with small daily tasks that open a window into another way of life. I believe travel is not about collecting places, but about slowing down enough to truly see them.

I travel very simply, respect personal space and house rules, and try to be a low-maintenance, thoughtful guest. I don’t come with expectations only openness, gratitude, and genuine interest in the people I meet. If we cross paths, you’ll likely find me listening more than talking, happy to exchange stories, and always eager to learn.

For me, the best journeys are those where we arrive as students of the world, leaving each place a little wiser and every connection a little richer.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe the heart of every place lies in its people. Couchsurfing gives us a chance to go beyond being "tourists" and instead become of local life-sharing stories, food, culture, and conversations that make journeys meaningful.

Interests

I believe in adventure, and always try to connect with new people and I really like reading philosophy.

• reading
• adventure travel
• laughing
• driving
• meeting new people
• telling stories

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I enjoy a wide range of music, from Indian classical to rock and folk.

Movies: I appreciate classics like "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Into the Wild," as well as Bollywood movies.

Books: I am avid reader, and interested in Philosophy and Indian Literature.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most transformative experiences of my life was travelling around India with nothing but a backpack. I didn't just visit places, I immersed myself in them: waking up before dawn to chant with monks in Himalayan monasteries, learning to fish with Kerala's boatmen as they shared stories about changing sea currents and getting adopted for a month by a Rajasthani family who taught me to cook over a clay stove.

What made it extraordinary wasn't the miles covered, but how the journey reshaped me. Getting lost in Varanasi's labyrinthine alleys taught me the kindness of strangers. Watching the sun rise over Rann of Kutch's salt deserts showed me the power of solitude.

These weren't vacations, but chapters in an ongoing lesson about our beautifully complex world. Now I carry those memories, and the humility they instilled - wherever I go next.

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy sharing stories and perspectives from my background as a lawyer and political strategist in India, along with experiences from slow, budget travel across different countries. I’m always happy to exchange ideas over a cup of tea, cook simple Indian food, or help with writing and conversations around society, culture, and everyday life.
What I value most is learning from people, how they live, think, and navigate their world. Some of my most meaningful experiences have come from staying with locals, sharing meals, walking neighborhoods together, and having honest conversations. For me, Couchsurfing is about mutual respect, curiosity, and human connection rather than just a place to stay.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m a respectful, easygoing, and low-maintenance guest who values personal space and house rules. I’m happy to help with small daily things at home, share meals, or simply be good company when it feels natural. I always try to leave a place as I found it. or a little better.
I can also offer meaningful conversations, stories from my travels and work in India, and simple Indian chai or home-style food if you’d like. More than anything, I bring genuine curiosity, gratitude, and the Couchsurfing spirit of mutual respect.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

India