CURRENT MISSION

2-year sabbatical. Travel, make new friends. Exchange skills, do good things and learn!!

ABOUT ME

First things first. I am on Couchsurfing to travel. It's not a dating site. I am happy to make new friends, but just because I am traveling on my own does not mean I'm looking or available for sex. So please if you want to invite me into your home, respect this and know that I am not interested in anything other than friendship!. Messages that start with 'you look hot' etc etc will be ignored. Rant over...

I love to travel! I am currently on a 2 year sabbatical and travelling as much as I can. I love to learn new things and meet new people! I love to share stories and experiences. I love taking photographs, and I love sharing my skills with people, for instance I have taught English, set up a course in how to do business with Western Tourists, helped out in Volunteer projects etc! Always looking for new friends and when I finish my travels and have a suitable place to live, I will definitely sign up as a host too!

PHILOSOPHY

I believe most life philosophies aren't watertight. But my aim is happiness, for myself and those around me. Although I love to contribute to the happiness of others, I believe each person is responsible for their own happiness. I also believe in Karma!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Although I am happy to spend time alone, I enjoy if my host wants to spend time with me. I would be happy to help anyone with practicing their English. As I have a CELTA qualification, I can also provide more formal lessons. Other than that I am a cheerful, tolerant person, and I try my best to make a good houseguest :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have stayed with a CS hosts in Sth Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan. Previously I lived with a Thai family for a month, teaching English to their son on an informal basis (playing games and singing songs), and teaching his grandmother on a more formal basis.
I've also stayed for 5 weeks in the Manhattan apartment of a friend I met whilst travelling, helping him with decluttering and interior design. He has introduced me to other new friends where I have stayed.
I recently lived in a Japanese hostel as 'accommodation staff', which I suppose is also a form of couchsurfing.

Interests

Travel, photography, karate, spirituality (but in a healthy way), meeting new people, trying new things and learning new skills! I love it when you get to experience something amazing and you think 'wow, I can't believe I'm really doing this!'

• singing
• design
• interior design
• photography
• beauty
• crafts
• traveling
• business
• teaching
• languages
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I love movies, music and books! Especially books. But I love so many of them that I don't want to choose!! I can stare at maps and encyclopaedias for ages. I also like a wide range of music, from classical to French electro hiphop.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Done: I swam with whale sharks. I was also shipwrecked on a desert island (for real); I have assisted a volunteer project in Singsing prison in New York by doing a motivational lecture, meeting some truly interesting people! I have also hiked 60km in Birkenstocks in Myanmar and done voluntary work in India and Brazil. I have travelled around Asia on my own, including Japan, India and Myanmar, and I have been in a Bollywood movie. I have been in prison (not as an inmate, see above ;) and I have guarded Buckingham Palace in London.
Seen: I have visited the Western Wall in Israel, Ancient temples and pagodas all over Asia, Synagogues, Mosques and Churches and been allowed to witness an ancient Brazilian ritual to worship Yemanja, the goddess of the sea, involving spirits. I have seen some of the most amazing natural beauty this world has to offer and would like to see more!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am a CELTA qualified English teacher. I have also organised some courses to advise small businesses in Asia about doing business with westerners, and have edited hotel brochures and websites. I love to try new things and am always happy to try new things together with others. I like to learn other languages and crafts.

Countries I’ve Visited

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominica, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Montenegro, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, France, Japan, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, United Kingdom