Hi, I'm George. We have to stop meeting like this.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Joined in 2009, after my friend Sia recommended it. Showing my age, ha.

Didn't do much with it initially.
It later transpired that it contains the highest concentration of cool, interesting and all-round nice people on the planet. Somehow they let me in too.

Moved to St Albans, joined the local group and eventually became one of the moderators. It was a very active group, regular meet ups and lots of great events. Fun times, and great memories. I made very good friends there, that stayed in my life since then. And had an overwhelmingly positive impact on me, come to think of it.

Moved back to London, and now more of a CS part-timer. The pandemic situation didn't help, but it's livelier now.

Interests

- Buying books. Not reading them. Feeling bad about it. Repeat. Would highly recommend.

-Travelling. Once upon a time it was cool. Then Instagram came along and ruined it for everyone. I'm kidding. (Or am I?)

-Games. Non-digital ones, that create a narrative of some sort. Often very nerdy. Occasionally not.

-Martial arts. From Russia in particular.

-Trying different things. Outdoorsy stuff. Art galleries. Events. Posh doughnuts. Jumping from cliffs. Talking to strangers.

apparently i also like making lists. It's a Virgo thing.

Music, Movies, and Books

there's a list, but it's always changing.

In the Pre-blip version i picked one that reminded me of couchsurfing, for each category. It's looking rather dated now, but here it is:

-Book. "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". Highlights the importance of towels while you're travelling.

-Movie. "The secret life of Walter Mitty" has a certain anything-is-possible quality to it. Like couchsurfing - on a good day.

-Song. "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" - the lyrics (or rather the lyrics before the woman starts singing).

For the post-blip version, let's save it for a pub chat. Saves me from typing, I'm more interested in other people's lists anyway.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I got on a train right before the doors closed.
Beat that, Insta page with people on a boat in the Caribbean.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach. I can teach you how to read the Greek alphabet, in roughly 40 minutes. If you're committed.
Why you'd want to learn that, i do not know.

Learn. Why you'd want to learn the Greek alphabet.

Share. Fire & lightning. But you have to catch me on a good day. Stories, passions. crazy ideas. random thoughts, visions for the future. The experience of discovering a place together. As Marcel Proust says: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes". I can also dazzle you with cool quotes like this.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Bad jokes, although I'm stretching the definition of "offering" here.

The best I can offer hosts: is the option not to host me. So, I can offer my receipt for the Airbnb booking.

It's not that I'm a bad guest, I'm an alright bloke, and maintain good levels of personal hygiene. but.. the snoring can be an issue. Don't worry, I'm not gonna ask you to host me. If it ever comes to that, I'll bring earplugs. Beware of Greeks bringing gifts and all that.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Greece, United Kingdom

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