CURRENT MISSION

After spending time traveling, I am studying a degree and trying to find what I want to do for the rest of my life. All I know is that I want to try and leave the world a better place than I left it. How I should do this is the question!

ABOUT ME

I like to think I am quite open minded and willing to try things. This is paramount to me because how will I know if I haven't done it (with obvious limitations of course!)

Having fun and being outgoing in life is very important to me, but I am also determined to leave the world in a better place than if I never existed at all. I am constantly thinking about things and people comment that a deep thinker (at least sometimes!).

I like to spend my time and money on experiences and not so much on stuff.

Physically, I am 6ft 4 inches tall Caucasian male with blond hair and green/blue eyes.

Recent blogs from travel : https://chrislostinchina.wordpress.com/ http://chrislostintheworld.wordpress.com/

Pictures from my trip in 2013/14: http://www.flickr.com/photos/103898588@N08/

PHILOSOPHY

In July 2016, I went to China for a month to live in a monastry and learn about Buddhism with the Woodenfish project. I also did a 10 day Vipassana meditation course in New Zealand in March 2014.

Although I would not call myself 'Buddhist', exploring the religion's philosophy has been a focus of mine for a couple of years and a lot of my personal philosophy is influenced by that.

Here are a couple of quotes which echo sentiments I try and live by also:

'One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure its worth watching.'

'Love is wise; hatred is foolish. In this world, which is getting more and more closely interconnected, we have to learn to tolerate each other, we have to learn to put up with the fact that some people say things that we don't like. We can only live together in that way. But if we are to live together, and not die together, we must learn a kind of charity and a kind of tolerance, which is absolutely vital to the continuation of human life on this planet.'

'Dream in a pragmatic way'

'It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.'

'The richest man is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least.'

'People cannot discover new lands until they have the courage to lose sight of the shore.'

'Be kind to unkind people, they need it the most.'

'Do not condemn the judgement of another because it differs from your own. You may both be wrong.'

I think people are shaped mainly by experiences. Therefore, I feel my personal philosophy is also ever changing as I get older and experience more.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I want to use Couchsurfing to deepen my travel experiences. By staying with a local, you get to know a place so much better.

The people I have met through Couchsurfing have all been great, so I hope to use Couchsurfing to meet more awesome people from around the world!

I hope to host next year in Bath, England!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Used Couchsurfing to get a rideshare down the East Coast of Australia in December 2013. Was a really fun week travelling from Cairns to Brisbane.

Couchsurfed at Allie's house in Seattle with a friend in July 2014 for a week. Had such a great time and loved the city!

Interests

Some interests include Travelling, Music, Festivals, Trekking, Diving, Gaming and Reading

Subject areas I am interested in include Anthropology, Philosophy, Economics, Politics, Science and the natural world

• festivals
• dancing
• cooking
• meditation
• politics
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• music
• hiking
• scuba diving
• anthropology
• economics
• international relations
• religion
• science
• tourism
• buddhism

Music, Movies, and Books

At the moment I like quite a lot of electronic music, particularly Techno, but also House, D&B and more ambient stuff.

On the other side of things I enjoy Indie, Alternative, Folk, Rock and Reggae.

I used to be a big fan of pop-punk and genres around it growing up (Four Year Storng, A Day To Remember, Set Your Goals etc.)

Before that I was mainly into bands like Coldplay, The Kooks, The Courteeners.

I can appreciate many different types of music. On this trip, I have taken more of a liking to classic rock and lounge. If the music suits the mood, I will listen to anything. Well, except for Gabber!

Too many books and movies to mention!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I feel fortunate to be able to say that there have been many experiences in my life that I have found amazing, making it difficult to chose one.

Recently, I was in the Raja Ampat area of Indonesia, off the island of Papua. The diving here was amazing due to the variety and abundance of marine life. The area itself is also very beautiful, a true island paradise.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a lot about current affairs, politics and economics and enjoy debating and discussing topics like this. I have quite a lot of random knowledge and can normally weigh into a discussion with an interesting point or two.

I also know quite a lot about Buddhism and spirituality so would be willing to share things about this.

America is a country that has always interested me, so I have quite an in depth knowledge about the place, especially having lived there and visited many times. The same is true to a lesser extent with other countries.

I would love to meet anyone that could provide insight on the area of the world they know about. If someone is passionate about something, whether it be dancing, woodwork or cooking, I would be willing to try it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Can share lots of cool and interesting not-so-well-known music with the people I stay with.

Know how to cook well, so would be willing to do my thing in the kitchen.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Niue, Norway, Samoa, Spain, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States