CURRENT MISSION

be mindful of my ignorance and willing to explore it

ABOUT ME

I want my life to be simpler and meaningfull and I am working on it.

There is an old video that I appear with some of my guests at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyAEJOITsGQ !

PHILOSOPHY

To be an active citizen is to participate in the social discourse. This requires willingness and ability, both slowly developed wioth experience and an open attitude to life and its complexity.

In order to speak well you first have to learn to listen.

Misunderstandings can be resolved through open communication, open mindedness, respect, compassion and self-knowledge (which to an extend means accepting your weaknesses and overcoming your self-centeredness with self-compassion).

Be mindful.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Before the crash (Summer 2006), as the Greek CS ambassador I was regularly greeting new members, especially those in Greece, where, along with other active members, we tried to set up regular meetings. These meetings have been very successful in building up a sense of community for CS members in Athens and lately also in Thessaloniki.

I used to follow CS developments closely with the help of my CS friend Konstantinos (aka Promitheus) but after almost 10 years away I need some time to catch up.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

So far (September 2018- well over 14 years, since my first CS experience!!!) I have hosted people from USA(52), Canada(26), England(7), France(5), Germany(5), Lithuania(4), Estonia(4), Mexico(4), Portugal(4), Belgium(3), Argentina(3), Singapore (3), Greece(3), Chile(3), India(2), Brazil(2), The Netherlands(2), Finland(2), Poland(2), Turkey(2), Vietnam (2) and from Honduras, Hong Kong, Denmark, (FYR)Macedonia, Czech Republic, Taiwan, Peru, Latvia, New Zealand, Belorussia and Australia ! That's 151 people that I had the privilege of getting to know, even for a bit :-)

I have been graciously hosted in Salt Lake City-UTAH, Salem-OREGON, Eagle-IDAHO, Albuquerque-NEW MEXICO, Vancouver-BRITISH COLUMBIA, Seattle-WASHINGTON, Berlin - GERMANY (twice), Budapest - HUNGARY, Prague and Brno - Czech Republic, Tallinn - ESTONIA, Paris (twice) and Le Havre - FRANCE, Milano (twice) and Trieste - ITALY, Koper - SLOVENIA, Amsterdam - THE NETHERLANDS, Bratislava - SLOVAKIA, London(a few times), Ringwood, Cambridge, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Lewes - UK, Hania, Kilkis, Samos, Veria, Thessaloniki(7 times), Irakleio, Rhodes(three times and counting), Patras(twice)and Athens (twice)-GREECE and Istanbul-TURKEY (third couch surf and counting)! That's about 50 times that I was privileged to be welcomed in the life of interesting and hospitable people that have re-affirmed every time my belief that good people Do exist!

I haven't had a bad experience and most of them (including several dozens of CSers and HCers that I have met in meetings and gatherings)were unforgettable :-)

Interests

debating and rhetoric, traveling, good books and conversations, quality food (preferably combined with good wine and good friends) as well as some academic subjects in the social sciences and the humanities (citizenship education, discourse analysis, political sociology, rhetorical theory, argumentation theory).
visited 34 states (15.1%)Create your own visited map of The World

• arts
• humanities
• books
• education
• dining
• wine
• meditation
• traveling
• camping
• teaching
• political science
• science
• social science
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

favourite authors: Ursula LeGuin, Amin Maalouf, Isaac Asimov, Orhan Pamuk, Jonathan Coe, Haruki Murakami, Po Bronson, Jorge Bucay, Mitch Albom, Nikos Kazantzakis and generally science fiction, historical novels, social theory, popular science, psychology, neuroscience, discourse analysis, rhetoric and communication, comics and graphic novels. The poetry of Konstantinos Cavafy and Fernardo Pessóa.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have read the sixth book of Harry Potter (The Half-blood Prince) in less than 48 hours (without having read any of the previous ones) while enjoying the great company of several CS members at a great camp at Pilion!

I isolated myself from almost everyone for about 10 months, getting rid of all my personal possesions, as well as 15 kgr. It was a high price to pay for finding myself but it was well worth it (even though I have regretted a few things).

Vipassana 10 day training.

Regognizing my shortcomings...

Teach, Learn, Share

I am interested in all things rhetorical. I can offer suggestions for good books and good practices in learning how to speak in public. Several social sciences and the Humanities are close to my heart too - Political Science, Sociology, Social and Political Theory/Philosophy, cultural criticism, identity studies, discourse theory and analysis :)

I attended a 10day seminar on Vipasana Meditation as taught by S.N.Goenka and his assistats and I am more than willing to share its deep insights and practical advice for an art of life.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, France, Greece, Spain, Turkey, United States

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