I used to be a scientist back in the UK, before the 4 hour daily commute became too much and I decided to gtfo and travel. I taught English in China for about a year and a half which was a bit of a mad experience. You really don’t know bewilderment until you have to try and manage a class of 30 energetic 3-6 year olds that don’t understand a word of what you’re saying to them...

I like keeping my life interesting, which is why I travel a lot. When I was a kid my parents encouraged me to be musical and so I’ve had a go on the marimba, trumpet, clarinet (my least favourite) saxophone, piano and the guitar. Yeah, I only stuck with the guitar. Never seen a punk band play with a marimba before (I played in a few bands when I was younger).

Now I feel like a bit of an old fart. I like to read and I haven’t been on a skateboard in 10 years. I do still like to go out and party every now and then, though. Just not so much. Jaegerbomb?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I started using couchsurfing for cultural reasons and because I enjoy meeting local people and opening my eyes to new ways of living. It’s good to be flexible and open minded. I think that many of us live very sheltered and myopic existences because we fail to actively challenge our preconceptions and are fearful of the unknown. Let's hang out and learn from each other.

Interests

• photography
• reading
• traveling
• language exchange
• outdoors

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Walden, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Brave New World, Farenheit 451, Jupiters Travels, Crime and Punishment

Music: Punk, Ska, Bluegrass, Hip Hop (not the commercial bitches & bling stuff, sorry), instrumental beats, electric blues. Some weird stuff like Melt Banana.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I rode the length of Vietnam twice, on a scooter held together with tie wraps and duct tape, that was fun. Accidentally ran over a dog in the mountains, not fun (it was ok though ) and rode from the Dien Bien Phu, near the Laos border, to Hanoi in under 16 hours.

Teach, Learn, Share

Always looking to learn how to be a more competent photographer. Can help with language practice if you want to learn English or Norwegian.

Could probably teach how to make good vegetarian food, too.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm not a bad cook. I can make pies, sort of. They taste good, but look terrible!

My experiences and advice for anyone looking to travel to the places I have been.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Denmark, England, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Macao, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, England, France, Norway