I am Elliot. I love traveling and learning from the millions of teachers scattered around the world. People can’t tell my ethnicity when they look at me, and sometimes they can’t even tell where I’m from when they speak with me. In fact, I’m originally from Texas but my mother is from India. My father raised me to be tolerant and humble. My elder brother raised me to be aware of the kindness of others. So, as I travel, I try to give back when I can.

Though I’m not the musician in the family per se, I love all kinds of music, especially jazz and Indian Classical music. Why? Because both these genres require improvisation--creativity that’s tested on the spot. For me, truly living is being in touch with the source.

PHILOSOPHY

I’m not religious, but I grew up with Catholicism. That hasn’t worked out for me, so I’ve turned more to Eastern traditions in my adulthood.

I care deeply about social justice and acting in accordance with beliefs. I am against the tobacco industry, so I don’t smoke. I quit eating meat on moral grounds in 2012. I don’t fight with people who don’t agree with me, but I try to fight hypocrisy within myself.

I am deeply opposed to the military aggression that my home country has inflicted upon too many countries around the world. I try to represent the opposite of that as I go around the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I’ve never used this website to surf couches, but I have surfed couches informally in three continents.

Interests

My main occupation is to do with languages. I play sitar, and I love an audience every now and then. When given a chance, I spend hours in the kitchen experimenting with cooking. I am a little obsessed by books, so I spend lots of time in libraries and bookshops. I meditate sometimes. That’s about it! Oh and sports: running (42.2 4:08), yoga, basketball, muay thai.

• books
• cooking
• yoga
• running
• meditation
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• basketball
• teaching
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

I’m not very up on Movies. Music, Books lately since I’m kind of slow in consuming media. But yeah I’m interested in them!! moving on...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

2014 Climbed Mount Kinabalu, Borneo

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a lot about Asia, having lived in China, India, Thailand, and Singapore; and travelled to most of the rest of East and Southeast Asian countries. More recently I lived in Istanbul and learned all about Turkey.

I am an English teacher by profession, and I’m happy to use and develop my teaching skills.

As a part Indian, I've always had interest in Indian culture. I play sitar and am always willing to share my knowledge and music!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Canada, China, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, United States