CURRENT MISSION

My "mission", I would say, is to seek out new life forms and new civilisations. #Lol. I always push myself to experience something new and believe everyone has something to share and teach.

ABOUT ME

I'm James, 25, live in London and have a career doing Market Research.

I'm very laid back, calm and have had maybe 2 serious conversations in my life. Why argue or be serious when we can all have a big hug and eat food?

I'm not lazy, though. I can't do nothing. Unless I've planned to do nothing. But then I can't do nothing for long.

I'm immensely organised. I lead the way but am in no way loud and annoying.

My body really requires sleep to function. And food.

I moved to London nearly two years ago. London was my dream City to live in. I can never get bored here and I always love showing people around.

I'm always eating. In fact, I'm eating cashew nuts right now as I type this.

I like to dive in, get involved and get my hands dirty. I try to volunteer when I can. I've gained a lot of experience volunteering abroad and am now trying to focus on doing some volunteering in London. Recently, I painted a sand pit at a primary school (nothing major, but the kids were super excited).

I have lots of groups of friends and really enjoy hanging out with them. But, organising people to travel is a pain and can often hold you back. If I want to go somewhere, I'll go. With or without people.

I like a language barrier. We learn so much and often get along much faster if we work together to overcome something.

PHILOSOPHY

Treat others how you would like to be treated. And, never judge a book by its cover. #cliche #cringe

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

For now, I can only be the traveller and not the host. I live in a shared accommodation in East London and there is nowhere for any guests to stay. I plan to move soon and, in my new house/flat, will be space for friends and guests :)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have "officially" couchsurfed once. I say "officially" because there have been spur-of-the-moment or semi-unplanned nights spent on friends/randoms couches while I've been abroad. And they've been great - my highlight being invited to stay at a friends' aunt's house in Morocco for 2 nights. Their generosity and kindness overwhelmed me.

My first CS trip was to Lisbon with the Amazing and generous Rodolfo. I look forward to him coming to stay with me in London. :) (EDIT: Rodolfo visited me in Feb 2015 and it was epic).

I'm a great guest and am excited for my future CS experiences! :)

Interests

I like to travel and explore. Always keen to try something new. Especially when it comes to travel. And in all my 25 years of living, I have never tried something like Couchsurfing. So, I am looking forward to making some contacts around the world and, hopefully, some new friends. :)

I cannot sit still for too long. I dive (off boards, not deep sea). I swim. I do yoga. I kickbox. I can't run. I do not like Sunday's (because if you want to do anything, you've got to do it between 12:00 and 16:00). I like to learn and, if I can, teach.

• books
• dining
• yoga
• running
• traveling
• swimming
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

If I read, it's non-fiction, academic or historical books. I just can't get into reading. I'm currently reading an academic book on the 'myth of market research and consumerism'! Lol.

I also lack passion in music. Lol. I don't have any favourites. I would happily listen to anything or spend an entire commute pressing 'next' on my iPod.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I presented a television show in China while I was volunteering at a Summer School. My Mandarin was enjoyably funny to all. Luckily, some of it was in English, too!

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, China, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, England, Morocco, Mozambique