The ridiculously impatient guy. Travels more frequently than funds or time could permit. Loves to drive, hogs food like a pig, tries to escape at the shortest notice. Wants to own a ranch in the European countryside as well as a shack by a Hawaiian beach, and live on both, simultaneously. Sarcasm is his second language. Hates people who mix anything with scotch.

If you could ignore that bit in third person, I am an average Indian who spent good primitive years studying and trying to create a mark amidst a billion people, lived the Indian corporate dream for a few years thereafter, sustained a quarter-life crisis, and has now taken a small step towards freedom by choosing to travel more for self than for work, meeting people for conversations rather than for business, and enjoying nature more than technology.

I am the sort of person who prefers a quiet walk in the park rather than a loud action movie late in the evening, and conversations over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with smooth jazz rather than heavy metal or electronic music.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The world outside is huge and surprising, and knowing its every nook and corner with their people, culture, food, and landscapes could be fascinating! While books and webpages can show us glimpses of these staggeringly diverse lives, there's nothing like people talking about it themselves - real experiences replete with anecdotes, expressions, and that human touch in conversations. Time on earth is too short for most of us to engage in such sharing by travelling everywhere, but meeting various people willing to let others peep through their worlds could be equally exhilarating.

Interests

I travel frequently (as much as means could allow) and like experiencing new cuisine. Have an extensive collection of music (largely Indian) and specifically love renditions of Urdu poetry. I also read a bit, occasionally blog (www.kumarvivek.org), and recently started barefoot running.

I am spiritual, but not religious, and prefer to be bracketed as an agnostic. I have an interest in history, and I am trying to make up for the history lessons that never interested me back in school.

And oh, the geeky side - science fascinates me. Can talk for hours on the scientific attempts that explore the unknown realm of universe and space-time, brain mapping, human free will, concept of death etc.

Music, Movies, and Books

Music tastes are pretty diverse. Apart from Bollywood music and Ghazals, I listen to everything from Bob Dylan to Pink Floyd to even Jazz (Louis Armstrong) and Blues.

Have read Albert Camus, Ayn Rand, Haruki Murakami, Gabriel García Márquez, Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Richard Bach, Paulo Coelho etc.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Skydived from 15000 feet in Wisconsin, scuba-dived to 60 feet under the sea in Puerto Marques.
Flew a Cessna 172 Skyhawk to 10000 feet up in the air in Kansas, and is still acrophobic!
Got robbed by policemen in Acapulco.
Drove a rented bike circling the entire island of Langkawi in lashing rains (just to exhaust its fuel before returning.)
Lived in a $8 per night accommodation in Kashmir and spent a week marvelling at the concoction of beauty, love, hatred, faith, culture, terror, and peace.
Availed a luxurious massage from a blind therapists at Pokhara and got amazed with the word 'ability.'
Drank much Absinthe in Barcelona and almost missed an early morning flight to India.
Had a chance to savor the delectable xiaolong bao (soup dumpling) in Shanghai!
Worked in a Napa Valley winery for 9 months and oh, tried a full lobster, freshly boiled, at Maine's harbour!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can help with English language, if you aren't a native speaker. I also read a bit of Urdu, and can get you started with resources which can help in translating its richest treasure of romantic poetry into English.

I studied science, and can engage well in discussions on the 'known' universe and limitations of human exploration.(Geek alert!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bhutan, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, Mexico, United States