CURRENT MISSION

Trying to decide what I'm going to do with my big redundancy payout later in the year. Currently thinking a career change to teaching English overseas

ABOUT ME

Relaxed, easy going, non smoker, dislikes bad drivers, likes stupid nicknames. Having a conflict with travelling and the need for a job to pay for the travelling...
After my most recent trip I've been thinking about quitting work and going and doing something that will help people that don't have the opportunity to help themselves... places like Burma and Africa really show how much you take for granted

PHILOSOPHY

"You don't win friends with salad"
"There's no point in being the oldest, richest corpse in the cemetery"

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have hosted people and surfed a few couches myself. Spending time with locals and learning more about the place and the people is so much more enjoyable than doing a quick tour with a bunch of other backpackers.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

One moment that made me feel all "warm and fuzzy" was when I hosted 3 German girls who had been driving around Australia, camping on the side of the road, etc. They were rather happy to be able to cook up some proper food in my kitchen, something simple that you don't really think about until you don't have it.

Interests

I'm interested in experiencing as much of each countries local culture as I can while travelling, hence joining this site.
I also want to do some "different" activites not on the usual tourist trail or what most tourists don't know about... if anyone has some suggestions for activities in a country I am visiting then let me know.
My one "must do" for my western Europe trip was the running with the bulls, I timed my trip so that I will be doing at the end - just in case I get hurt I won't have missed anything else ;)

• culture
• dining
• cooking
• running
• drinking
• traveling
• camping
• skydiving
• rock climbing
• swimming

Music, Movies, and Books

Mainly rock, alternative stuff, all depends on the mood but dont really stomach country music.
Being male I have a natural liking for action and war movies, thrillers and comedies are sure to please as well.
Unfortunately I have to read too much stuff for work so I haven't done much other reading lately apart from researching my next trip

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Conquered my fear of heights in New Zealand by going bungy jumping and skydiving. When I was a little kid I didn't even like going on ferris wheels because I was so scared, I would sit on the floor and sulk. So it was a great feeling doing it... a huge rush!
Added a few more since then like running with the bulls, hot air balloon over the temples of Bagan, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, coming within touching distance of a silverback gorilla in Rwanda, doing the Everest Base Camp trek, jumping in for a swim in Antarctica... and still many more on the list :)

Teach, Learn, Share

When travelling through Europe, if you see a free toilet, use it, even if you don't need to go. You don't know when you will see the next toilet, and chances are as you're going in you will be confronted by someone waiting for you to pay. This leads to frantic digging in pockets for change as you try not to wet yourself. And don't forget a roll of toilet paper in your daypack.

In eastern Europe trains are very cheap. If travelling a decent distance take an overnight train and get a sleeper. This way you don't lose daylight to see things as well as saving a night in a hostel. Bring something to eat and drink and share, and be prepared to chat all night to your cabin mates.

In a country where you don't speak the language, eat at places with pictures of food or where you can point at it.

And a smile, nod and thumbs up substitutes when you don't know "thank you" in the local language.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Botswana, Cambodia, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Monaco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia

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