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CURRENT MISSION

Exploration of the world as an act of exploration of the self

ABOUT ME

Biologist, linguist, musician. Bi-cultural through and through.

I've been on couchsurfing for so long I kind of feel like an elder statesman of it. Haha

I refer to myself as being 'British Indian' because I was born and brought up in the UK (not London) but am very close to my Indian roots and so to say just Indian or just British would be wrong. With that understanding I've come to be very very interested in cultures the world over, hence the travelling.

日本語もできます！

If you speak French, Hindi or Japanese, use it in your message! It makes me smile when people don't use English with me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm here because I love it. Couchsurfing has changed my life in so many ways. The biggest one though has to be it has given me hope and a chance to travel the world even though I'm not rich. That's HUGE as so many people I know have decided to kill their dreams because they don't think they can. I'm not one of them! Thank you to all that made that possible. Yes, that means YOU also! :)

Interests

Just about everything. I am a renaissance man and am game to discuss anything. I love different cultures, different languages, different music (particularly playing it). That and microbiology. Yes, that needed a separate mention.

• culture
• dining
• indian food
• baking
• yoga
• meditation
• traveling
• music
• rock music
• metal music
• biology
• freelancing
• languages
• science
• calisthenics
• vegan cooking

Music, Movies, and Books

Music is a major part of my life, I love rock and metal, particularly that with a message such as RATM and SOAD. Do also love industrial music (yes, that definitely includes NIN!). I am the frontman of a doom metal/punk/hard rock band and I still write to this day, if I ever stopped being lazy I'd get some albums out.

I'm also writing an indo-metal opera based on Indian mythology so if you can give me any help with how to do that it would be greatly appreciated. Furthermore I'd love to jam with you if you want, I'm a guitarist and sing too. If all else fails, I will take you out to that quinessential Japanese experience: karaoke (pronounced ka-ra-oh-keh)!

I don't actually watch that many movies. I do love pretty much anything Daniel Day-Lewis does that said.

Books? Well, I do most of my reading off a screen but I once did a list of books that changed my life on facebook on the request of a friend. A few of them are:
Lord of the Rings
Dune
Medical Microbiology
Indian Mythology (there's a book called that)
The Queen of Freedom Trilogy

Aside from this I love to read really long stuff on the internet and audiobooks on history, science, politics, anything that takes my fancy really.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Somehow managing to be able to speak Japanese in about 3 months. It surprised me but I never stopped thinking I could do it and then...I could!

良かった。。。良かった!

Skydiving in Gunma, Japan. I went through the entire run of emotions that day!

Sleeping under the stars in Maharashtra, India. As a city boy I couldn't believe there could be so many!

Stopping off in the Mojave desert briefly and enjoying the beauty of the desert as described in Dune.

There are a few more but you'll have to get to know me for that!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: Indian food, rock music, Hindi, French, Japanese and microbiology

Learn: how to freelance (translation, journalism and composing) so I can travel the word. Piano/keyboard as it would be useful to know for composition. And how to write an opera.

Share: interesting stories, good music and food.

People who have been in more than one culture. I feel the greatest connections with people like that, because of the common experiences.

Oh, and those immersed like myself in the world of rock, punk and hippy mentalities. Oh yes!!!

What I Can Share with Hosts

My room is quite small so be prepared for that. A sleeping bag will fit though and my location is great for both some parts of Yokohama, and Tokyo eg Shibuya and Shinjuku.

I provide a paradise for vegetarians and vegans - learn how to survive here and everything I make is 100% fine for you!!!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom