Been there, done that.... doing it all over again!

Born and bred in South Africa, I first started travelling in 1986. After 18 years and exploring the globe and living in 14 different countries, I returned to South Africa in 2004 and settled down for 12 years.... or tried to.

Professionally I am an IT systems manager with 35+ years of experience.... but I've done many things... planting tulips in Holland, picking grapes in France, nature conservation in Africa... the list goes on. I'm also a commercially rated Twin IFR pilot. Aviation is my passion, but helping homeless cats and dogs is my current mission. This is my pet project >> http://PAWSecondChance.com

Recently retired from the frustrations of IT management, I've dusted off my backpack and busy travelling the world again. I'm a Digital Nomad.... all I need is a place to sleep.... and good Internet connection. My laptop is the window to the online world, while I continue to enjoy the word around me. A Global Village Citizen. Freedom is the key, I am totally free.

Really fit, totally healthy, don't smoke and seldom drink. My routine is to spend about 10 hours a day online, managing my websites.... and 2 hours exercising. Long walks into nature is my thing. If you have dogs, they will love me for it.

I use Couchsurfing primarily as as a platform for meet interesting people... in their own environment.... and make new friends!

I've stayed in too many hotels, stared at plastic continental breakfasts, boring lunches and lonely dinners.

Of course, the economy of Couchsurfing is a plus... but I'm not a freeloader. I'd much rather pour the cost of the hotel into your home and kitchen. Let's share a meal together!

What's more, I clean up fastidiously and will even mow your lawn for you.... well maybe :-)

I treat your home like my home, for the duration of my stay.

Here's looking forward to a mutually rewarding meeting with you (and your pets!)

Cheers,

Herby

PS My detailed story can be read here >> http://HerbyOlschewski.com/about

Professional CV is here >> https://za.linkedin.com/in/herbyolschewski

I'm on Facebook here >> https://www.facebook.com/herby.olschewski (Feel free to connect at your discretion. The best way to understand someone is by their social profile. You can always disconnect afterwards, if we don't become real friends.)

My mobile number currently is +44 74 1844 1318 if you would like to discuss.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've spent so many years doing the corporate thing... staying in sterile hotels and faking friendly conversations with prospect clients... just to get some contracts signed. I'm done with all of that.

I'd rather meet with real people, from all walks of life... and make the most every single day. The best days of my life were spent backpacking around the world. I was too young to really grasp the privilege of the freedom. I'd like to do it all again... this time with a much wiser head on my shoulders. Also, I'm able to give something back. It's not just about a freebie stay.

On that note, I'm happy to pay my way, wherever I go. It's just that I no longer wish to pay big bucks on hotels. I support various animal shelters... and every time I think of spending USD150+ plus per night on a starched white pillow... I calculate just how much dog and cat food that unnecessary luxury can otherwise buy. All one really needs is a comfy couch. Preferably after a good healthy meal... and interesting chat with a local soul. To travel, meet, greet, share and enjoy life to my fullest potential... is my I'm on Couchsurfing.

Interests

Completely varied. Mostly people. My first hobby... was to go sit in the Johannesburg airport lounges... and just watch people. I'm fascinated by different cultures and the melting pot of humanity. I guess that's where my passion for aviation originates. Getting from A to B to meet and greet, should be swift. I'm a qualified commercial pilot, with twin, IFR ratings. To me, the sky is the limit... but I can float too. I have a coastal skippers ticket and love spending time on yachts. I have a stomach for anything... including fine foods. I used to be a wine connoisseur of note, but now I seldom drink. I'd rather keep a clear head to be safe in the cockpit. Technology? I'm a total geek. Give me some gadgets and put me in a corner... I'm as good as gold. Hook me up online and I'm even quieter. I've been on the Internet since the 80s, as a communications instructor in the military... all the way through to being an accomplished online marketer today. I know my way around the InterWebs and how to tap technology for some cash. It's a virtual goldmine. Ka-ching!

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm old school. Starting with the classics, through the 20s, 30s and 40s. A bit of Benny Goodman and large helping of the big bands. I can certainly jive to the 50s and chill out to the 60s. I still have my bell-bottomed jeans from the 70s, my school decade. Sure, I caught disco fever in the 80s, but come the 90's... I kept looking back more and more. Yes, I've kept current through the 2000s to date... but to be honest, I'm rock & roll at heart. Jive and Swing for me. To sum up my music make up....The Blues flows freely though my blood. I play some bass too. All I really hear in music... is the base line.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Fly all the way from Rock Sound, Bahamas... through to Geneva, Switzerland in my own single-engined Piper Cherokee Six. The longest leg was St. Johns, Newfoundland to Shannon, Ireland.... non-stop over the Atlantic... for 12 hours and 49 minutes. Those were the days when I was young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid :-)

Teach, Learn, Share

I have 35+ years experience as an IT Systems Manager. So, usually the first chore I'm able to do... is fix your wi-fi network, should it not be up to scratch. Mostly for my own benefit of course, but you'll benefit from it once I leave. What can I learn from you? Surprise me! Of course, the shared experience of our brief time together on this planet, should be rich and rewarding :-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Perspectives on being a Digital Nomad.... a Global Village Citizen :-)

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Wales, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Albania, Austria, Bahamas, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States