Ivor Paul's Photo

Unverified Profile

  • Payment not verified
  • Phone not verified
  • Government ID not verified

Not Accepting Guests

  • Last login over 4 years ago

Join Couchsurfing to see Ivor’s full profile.

Overview

  • 0 references
  • Fluent in Afrikaans, English; learning Thai
  • 44, Male
  • Member since 2017
  • Web developer
  • Industrial Engineering
  • From Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Profile 75% complete

About Me

I am friendly, enthusiastic and always keen for an adventure. I have never lived in the same place for longer than 2 years since I finished my studies. Most of those places where around Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
I worked for a number of startups and engineering firms in the dreams of making my millions and then seeing the world :D

Turns out its a lot harder to make those millions in startup land than I thought. Luckily I realised this so I decided to change how I work a little and now I am traveling and learning about all the strange places that I have until recently only dreamed about. What this means is that I usually spend a few hours a day at my laptop writing software and uploading it on the web. If I don't have mobile connectivity or wifi it gets tough. Recently I have been thinking of taking breaks from my work for a few days so I can explore more remote areas without the need for wifi.

I am interested in the human condition, life, the universe and everything, economics, science, meditation, current affairs. I love to read (popular science, fantasy, sci-fi) but rarely find time. I love listening to podcasts and audiobooks (Radiolab is my favourite podcast, Deep Work my most recent audiobook). Listening to audio is a great way to deal with bus rides, or long queues.

Apart from the fact that I have a gluten allergy (not giving up pizza to be weird), I will eat pretty much anything else. If I really want to treat myself while traveling I try getting hold of green leaves and tomatoes and make some sort of salad.

So far I have visited Thailand and Malaysia. Two rewarding and very different experiences.

I am not really a big city person. If I am in a city I am usually on my way somewhere with peace, quiet and open spaces.

I am not a party animal. I can be fun at a dinner table or at a pub but I don't know the name of a single DJ. I prefer to collect experiences that involve beautiful views, natural wonders and physical challenges. I've been known to get up before sunrise to go watch the day break in a forest somewhere.

I respect people, their customs and their environment. I firmly believe that humans, of all flavours, should be treated with dignity and respect.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am hoping to meet some interesting people and hopefully get to share their homes for a night or two. It will be much more rewarding than a hotel room. I don't currently have a house to share, but the next time I settle for a month or two I would like to host some people in my house.

Interests

  • animals
  • meditation
  • outdoor activities
  • economics
  • science
  • healthy lifestyle
  • current affairs
  • human condition
  • life+the universe and everything

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Popular science, sci-fi and fantasy
Audiobooks & Podcasts (Radiolab is my favourite)
Movies: Wes Anderson, Charlie Kaufmann. Not into teen movies. I'll have to think about this one.
Series: Homeland, Game of Thromes, Vikings are my favourites at the moment.
Music: Hmm, I have a very poor music appreciation. Just didn't grow up with it, but happy to learn. I do love blues and jazz and some classical music and some rock. I am just not passionate about it, but tell me about your favourite band - perhaps I love them. I guess bands I really like: CCR, REM, Fun Loving Criminals, Tool, Rammstein, the blues classics etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Paddled out at 5Am to surf and when the sun came up I saw I was surfing in a pod of humpback whales. Climbed some mountains around my home town at night as well.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories and perspectives and travel advice from my home country, South Africa. I'm new to this, but happy to help in other ways. I hope I update this section so I don't say "I am new to this" with a number of hostings behind me :D

Countries I’ve Visited

Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Africa

Join Couchsurfing to see Ivor’s full profile.