CURRENT MISSION

I am looking to parlay a passion for photography and adventure into a successful and challenging career.

ABOUT ME

I am a Meandering Permastudent in the University of Life.

I'm James (family name: Bryan Ortega) and after having lived in my native Panama, the USA, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK and Colombia (and after having been a flight attendant), I still can't get enough of travelling.

PHILOSOPHY

"The world is like a book and those who do not travel read only one page."

"No es mas rico el que mas tiene sino, el que menos necesita."

"He who would travel happily must travel light."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

The closest I have been to a Couchsurfing Experience is having stayed at a friend's house while he, as a CS member, was hosting people from all over the world, so even though, not as a member, I have experienced CS for the months I lived there, and I absolutely loved it.

Intereses

Photojournalism and 20th-century history. I also enjoy watching French, Spanish and Latin American movies. Whenever possible I go cycling and camping.

• arts
• books
• photography
• movies
• traveling
• cycling
• canoeing
• spelunking
• camping
• paragliding
• business
• history
• science

Música, películas y libros

Music from all over the world. I like eveything but mostly find myself listening to:

Radio Tarifa: was a Spanish World music ensemble combining Flamenco, Arab-Andalusian music, Arabian music, Moorish music and also influences of the Mediterranean, of the Middle Ages and of the Caribbean.

Paris Combo: is a Paris-based musical group that has an eclectic style, blending elements from the traditional French chanson, American jazz and swing, Roma music and North African music. The group identifies itself as a world music group.

Soda Stereo: were an Argentine rock band who are recognized as one of the most influential and important Latin American and Ibero-American bands of all time. Soda Stereo began in 1982 as a new wave outfit influenced by The Police, The Specials, Television, The Cure, XTC, and other Argentine rock. Their music evolved toward a heavier alternative rock sound throughout the 90’s, eventually drawing influences from classic rock, grunge, progressive rock, shoegaze, and Britpop.

Rush: is a Canadian rock band that has become known for its musicianship, complex compositions, and eclectic lyrical motifs drawing heavily on science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy. Rush's music style has changed over the years, beginning with blues-inspired heavy metal on their first album, then encompassing hard rock, progressive rock, and a period with heavy use of synthesizers. They have been cited as an influence by various musical artists, including Metallica, Primus,Rage Against the Machine and The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater and Symphony X.

Books:
The Alchemist, Test of Courage, The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari, Bad Times in Buenos Aires, Almost French.

Movies:
Amelie, Bienvenido Mr. Marshall, Son of the Bride, and too many more to mention.

Algo increíble que he hecho

Being inside the Roman Colosseum at night.

Watching the sun setting on the Atlantic Ocean while traversing from Spain to Morocco.

Canoeing in the Everglades for ten hours.

Paragliding in the Swiss Alps.

Going up the Cotopaxi.

Caving in the Peak District.

Having Italian Ice Cream (Sicilian Pistacio) in Rome, The best Pizza (Margherita) in Napoli, Mousse au Chocolat and the best Crème Brûlée (among other orgasmic treats) in Rouen, France.

Enseña, aprende, comparte

http://www.onebag.com/

There's no question: overpacking tops the list of biggest travel mistakes.
Thus this Web site, which offers exhaustive (some might say exhausting!) detail on the art and science of travelling light, going pretty much anywhere, for business or leisure, for an indefinite length of time, with no more than a single carry-on-sized bag.

Países que he visitado

Belgium, Chile, Ecuador, Germany, Morocco, Switzerland, Turkey

Países en los que he vivido

Colombia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, Spain, United Kingdom, United States