CURRENT MISSION

We are travelling from Mexico to Chile and want to experience it with local people, local foods and local stories!

ABOUT ME

We recently got engaged whilst camping on the bank of a river in Western Australia and decided to quit our jobs, sell our belongings and travel. Luckily we shared a dream (well ALMOST - Anna wanted to go to Chile and I wanted to go to Mexico, so we are now on our way from Mexico to Chile by land). We love the idea of sharing stories and experiences with people we meet along the way. Always keen to go off hiking, cook a meal together or just sit, talk and relax with a beer.

We love nature, and are fascinated by local cultures, and small lanes and alleys!

When we get back to Australia we are planning on building a sustainable house and garden and hosting lots of couchsurfers and why not admit it....have a festival on our property where all our musical friends will play all night!

(Anna) I grew up mainly no the West coast of Australia in Perth. I've moved around a lot over the past few years to experience new places and people, and with Dan decided to extend this adventure to overseas. I love learning - particularly about psychology, nature and sustainable living. I've worked as a Social Worker for 6 years and I'm passionate about human rights, society and culture. I love sharing a meal with a friend, reading a book, or listening/playing music. I can be quiet at times - and enjoy sharing time with others but also appreciate time alone. I like to learn new skills and I have a bit of a goal to lead a self sufficient lifestyle trying to make as much as I can from scratch (So if you have any skills to share, I'm willing to learn!!) I also love painting, drawing (particularly birds and plants), and learning new instruments (I play the piano and I'm learning the guitar... :)

[Dan]
I was born in South Africa, and grew up in the city of Sydney. I feel like I was reborn when I started cycling around Australia and discovered how much I loved nature and alternative lifestyles. I trained as an outdoor guide and worked in beautiful and remote parts of Australia. I love simple pleasures of connecting with people over stories and philosophy. I love walking - whether its for an hour or days, alone or with friends. I am genuine and respectful. I also love to joke around. (and will never say no to a beer)

PHILOSOPHY

Respect. Being open to other peoples perspectives. Admiration of Culture and Wisdom. Tread gently. Have fun.

[Dan]
Also inspired by Tich Nhat Hahn (Vietnamese Buddhist and activist) and Zorba the Greek (fictional character and namesake of the book)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

For now we are just beginning....by couchsurfing around Latin America, we will eagerly repay the generosity offered to us when we are back on our own couches....come and visit! We love showing people our hometown which is a natural paradise!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

So far our experiences have been amazing. We have stayed with 2 hosts (now friends!!) who have shared with us great insights in to their cities and communities for which we are grateful.

Interests

Music, hiking, birds, nature in general!!!,WOOFing, sustainable living, traditional skills, travel, talking with people, cooking, reading, kayaking, wandering without plans, road trips along the coast, wood carving, art, gardening, seeing amazing buildings, learning Spanish.

• animals
• birds
• arts
• culture
• books
• beauty
• festivals
• human rights
• cooking
• beer
• walking
• flying
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• drawing
• music
• guitar
• piano
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• psychology
• social work
• tourism
• road trips

Music, Movies, and Books

(Anna) music: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Mumford & Sons, Fat Freddys Drop, Dub, Reggae, Funk, Folk, World,
books: Siddhartha - Herman Hesse, The House of Spirits - Isabel Allende, The Little Prince - Saint Exupery, Anything by Irvin Yalom & Oliver Sachs, The Slap - Chris Tsiolkis, too many to list!!!! and I love kids books with soul!

[Dan]
I love the journey of a book! I have recently read or reading: Breath and Dirt Music by Tim Winton (my favourite Australian author), White Teeth by Zadie Smith, Ishmael by Daniel Quinn, Light at the Edge of the World by Wade Davis, Born to Run by McDougal, Guns, Germs and Steel by Jarred Diamand. I also love Orwell, Camus, Tich Nhat Hanh, Bruce Chatwin.

Love Reggae, dub, blues, and alot of world music. I love middle eastern rhythms too. (Always travel with mp3 so I can share my music, and always keen to check out local scene too)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

[Dan]
-Cycled the East Coast of Australia, teaching at schools about sustainable living. 4 month, 5000kms, 30 schools.
-Lived for a year in a remote place with no electricity and only accessible by flying fox.
-Kidnapped by Morrocan druglords and survived! (full story over a beer)

(Anna) I am amazed by simple beauty, like being in water, or seeing a new species of bird, sharing a moment with someone, or learning something new about myself or others. I've been to a lot of amazing places but I think what's given these experiences their value have been the people I've shared them with, or the sounds I've heard, or the light on that particular day, I like the details that amount to the full experience.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have an in depth knowledge of the plants and animals of Australia that I love to share.

Countries I’ve Visited

Israel, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey, Zambia

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia

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