I try to live by the phrase that "we seldom realize the significance of a moment until after it becomes a memory!"

Current mission:

- Trying to visit as many countries as possible...100 seems good?
- Planning for tomorrow, but living for today!
- To make a difference in this life!
- Being an inspiration to others and to be inspired by them
- Understanding the significance of the "moment" and living "every" day without regrets
- Knowing that "it is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but impossible to find it anywhere else"

Facebook Profile: Matthew B. Ryan
(Please read my profile and references first & feel free to ask any questions at all!)

My apartment is located super close to downtown Victoria's Inner Harbour (area called James Bay) and just a few minutes behind the Parliament buildings and a major bus loop! Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point Pier, Fisherman's Wharf, Mile Zero monument, Dallas Road seawall and the beach are all within a 10-minute walk from my place!

ABOUT ME

I want to make a difference with those I cross paths with in this lifetime and in sharing incredible stories and experiences with amazing people of similar ideas. Realizing that we should embrace every moment and in never taking anything for granted as you seldom get second chances, just new opportunities!

Most people consider me to be a super friendly and genuine person! (you can be the judge!) I try to make the most of every day that comes my way and if I could travel forever, I would! I definitely love meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds; making new friends and connections from around the World, sharing ideas and experiences! Things that I'm super passionate about besides just travelling would be camping, hiking, road-trips, playing squash, canoeing, socializing, coffee & conversation, listening to music, cooking and almost ANY type of adventure!

PHILOSOPHY

- Never say never
- Tomorrow is another day
- People will always surprise you
- Dreams are only possible if you try

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCH-SURFING

It's truly unbelievable how many of the CS's I've hosted who have become lifelong friends in addition to many who were referred by them. Some of my fondest memories and experiences now transcend everything else in this life because of random strangers I've met and able to share some time with.

I've lived in Canada most of my life and have travelled to every province and territory (except the Yukon)
I also worked as a volunteer at Tourism Vancouver for just over 11 years and have met some incredibly amazing people with whom I've shared some unforgettable adventures with and have developed many close friendships along the way. Having travelled extensively and to approx. 56 countries Worldwide has grounded me as a person about how fortunate some of us really are! I've hosted over 140 visitors from around the World and always fascinated to hear their "stories" and experiences.

I've since relocated to Victoria in search of some stability and security with my job and work for the Ministry of Environment now. My schedule is Monday to Friday so have little time during the weekdays and usually prefer having guests who will include a weekend day at least. Saying all that though, I also realize that life is much different for travellers and that timing is important and given those circumstances, would be willing to help out whenever I can.

COUCH-SURFING EXPERIENCE

As for me, I certainly prefer hosting others rather than surfing myself, but it's not out of the question of course. I've only "surfed" once in the Czech Republic with a couple of former Couch-surfers who also ended up becoming my roommates. It's truly remarkable to me that one can enjoy sharing experiences, cultures and ideas from around the World and don't even have to leave home! Thus far, I've met some really wonderful people. My mission in life is to make a difference with each person I meet...we have but this one life to live!

Interests

I'm a very down-to-earth and fairly diverse person who enjoys everything from camping to hiking, canoeing, shopping, running, working out, playing squash, cooking, road trips, the theatre, listening to music, watching movies, reading, socializing and of course travelling!

• beauty
• cooking
• running
• working out
• shopping
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• hiking
• canoeing
• spelunking
• camping
• surfing
• rock climbing
• racquetball
• tourism
• volunteering
• squash

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite movies: (not possible to choose just 1)

- The Shawshank Redemption
- Les Misérables
- Lost in Translation
- It's a Wonderful Life
- Braveheart
- The Way Back
- The Red Violin
- Everything is Illuminated
- Gladiator
- Lilies of the Field
- To Sir With Love
- Cast Away
- V for Vendetta
- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Schindler's List
- Life is Beautiful
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- In America

I'm mostly into Pop, Rock, some Jazz, some country, oldies, instrumentals and even classical!

Too many books to mention however, I really enjoyed "The Alchemist"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Only one, that's definitely not possible! A few below to mention...

- Night Snowmobiling on a mountaintop in Whistler, BC.
- An amazing 7-day dude ranch and cattle-drive in Kimberley, BC.
- Driving across Canada 3 times as well as to Yellowknife and having experienced the Northern Lights
- Several Portage and canoe trips in Algonquin Park wilderness
- Hot Air Ballooning over Trakai, Lithuania
- Caving on Vancouver Island at Horne Lakes Caves
- An incredible experience/session with a Native Shamanic Healer with a friend
- Hiking Vulcan Conception in Ometepe, Nicaragua
- The Mayan Ruins of both Copan and Tikal
- A 32-day trip throughout mostly Eastern Europe, visiting 17 countries along the way
- Visiting the Moai sculptures on Easter Island
- Glacier hiking in Iceland
- Several sea-plane and helicopter tours
- Touring around the Highlands in Scotland
- Visiting the unrecognized country of Transnistria (it doesn't officially exist)
- Visiting Cricova, Moldova, one of the largest wineries in the World
- Seeing over 17 Humpbacks during one whale watching tour in Victoria
- Travelling with a friend on the Callaghan Valley road seeing 7 bears in one day!

And hoping to add many, many more!

Teach, Learn, Share

We have but this one life to live...embrace each moment of every day for soon they will all become reflections of our yeterdays'

What I Can Share with Hosts

A welcoming environment, open-mindedness, knowledgeable, travel experiences, etc.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Trinidad and Tobago