Exploring planet earth (60+ countries so far). Interested in people, languages, books and cultures.

Instagram: ftimuri

RECENT TRAVELS

Over the last 4 years, I spent a month each in Ethiopia, Madagascar, and South Africa, followed by 3 months in the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), and then backpacked in Europe. I visited Finland (Tampere, Helsinki, Ravionemi, Inari), Estonia (Talinn), Latvia (Riga), Lithuania (Vilnius), Ukraine (Lviv, Kiev, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaparojjia , Khortitsa, Odessa), Moldova (Chisinao, Cricova, Orheiul Vechi, Soroca, Balts), Romania (Iasi, Suceava, Piatra Neamts, Bicaz, Ceahlau Mountain, Cluj, Turda, Sibiu, Medias, Sighisoara, Targu Mures, Brasov, Resnov, Bran, Peles Palace, Bucharest, Constantsa, Tulcea, Danube Delta), Bulgaria (Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv and Sofia), Serbia (Belgrade) and Kosovo (Pristina and Prizren), Greece (Athens, Lesvos and Chios).

I then went back to explore a bit of England (Cornwall, Wales and York) and then flew to Nepal to spend one month trekking the Annapurna Circuit. I then briefly visited Malaysia (KL, Malacca) and Singapore before flying to Cambodia and spending a month to explore the major cities in the country (Koh Rong, Kampot, Kep, Siem Reap, Battambang, Kratie, Banlung and the Virachey National Park). I then spent 3 months exploring Vietnam with a motorbike.

I am always open to exploring new places, learning new languages, enjoying new food and experiencing local culture. Couchsurfing has been fantastic for this.

I always challenge myself mentally and physically. I backpacked for 3 months in South America; lived/worked in Kabul (Afghanistan) for a year; studied Spanish in Salamanca of Spain for 3 months; and taught English in Qingdao of China. In 2016, I spent 2 months working inside refugee camps as a language teacher in Sofia (Bulgaria) followed by 3 months working inside multiple refugee camps in Lesvos (Greece).

I spent 2 months studying French and Arabic in Sousse (Tunisia). I spent 1 month in Kiev of Ukraine to learn Russian.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is too short. Go and see the world - keep an open mind.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet interesting people - either through hosting or surfing or just attending CS meetings. To practice my languages :).

Interests

My hobbies include: cycling, running, swimming, hiking, reading, writing, travelling, watching movies, cooking, helping others personally/professionally, making new friends and meeting up with old friends.

• culture
• writing
• books
• dining
• cooking
• running
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• backpacking
• surfing
• swimming
• teaching
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Recently read: Mountains beyond Mountains (set in Haiti)

Recommend: "The Unexpected Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" (set in England), "Marching Powder" (set in La Pas, Bolivia), "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "Kite Runner" (set in Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan)

Have enjoyed: 1984, Animal Farm, Lord of the Flies, Monkey Business, Fixing Failed States, and quite a few more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Deciding that travelling was the best way to live life :).

Teach, Learn, Share

A lot of stories from my travels and plenty of laughter :).

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, stories, languages, books

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Israel, Pakistan, Palestine, Spain, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom