I was born and raised in South Africa until I was 11 years old, with a Dutch mother and English father. I then moved to the United States, and now live in Chicago as a Third Culture Kid.

I had a Couchsurfing account several years ago during college, but it became inactive while I was working. I have since quit my job and am traveling through SE Asia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, with more countries likely after that! I have been all over the world and absolutely love making new friends. I am traveling on my own, so meeting new people and traveling together is one of the most important aspects of my adventure!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I came back to Couchsurfing because I love to connect with people from all over the world. I honestly struggle to identify where/what I am, so meeting people with a similar travel/adventure mindset is invaluable to me!

I am traveling solo, and the top priority I have when looking for a place to stay (usually a hostel) is the social atmosphere. I love to make new friends and travel with them, building a friendship that could last a lifetime. I also love the inherently human aspect of connecting really well with people I've just met. It's an experience I've only found while traveling or being out of my comfort zone, and I relish the opportunity to get out of myself.

I also miss being able to cook my own meals (as much as I LOVE street food), so staying with someone would be a great opportunity to share a home cooked meal and learn about different cultures/cuisines.

Interests

I love to cook, make old school whiskey/gin cocktails, and eat anything I haven't tried before. I enjoy reading entertaining non-fiction and am pretty passionate about photography as well. I enjoy a good drink or two, but not really much of a rager anymore, although the occasional 4am night pops up.
I enjoy dressing well, and like developing my own style (even though that is on hold while I'm traveling!)

• cats
• culture
• writing
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• cocktails
• walking
• drinking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• blogging

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite music is house and trance, but I really enjoy indie as well. Honestly anything with a great beat/rhythm is good for me! I enjoy live shows and concerts, big or small, but not insanely crowded.
I don't usually read too much, but have been better about it while traveling. I really liked "Third Culture Kid," as I identify with it so much, but I really enjoy books like "Devil in the white city"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

During my last trip through Thailand in 2009, I worked at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi for a month. I worked/played with baby and 3 month old tigers every day, walking, feeding, and washing them, as well as working with tourists. Growing up in South Africa, I have always had an affinity for big cats, and this was definitely and experience of a lifetime!

Teach, Learn, Share

I enjoy helping people sharpen their English skills, as there can be slight differences between very similar words. I am fairly experienced in photography (not quite a pro), but am open to offering simple tips to make pictures and editing much easier!

I love to learn about new dishes/cuisines, as well as share the ones that I know. I have picked up a lot of skills along the way that can make cooking really quick, simple and healthy.

I really enjoy sharing stories and experiences about traveling, and would much rather take a first hand account of what to do and where to stay than flipping through a Lonely Planet.

I am also writing a blog about my travels (www.gashboard.com), and I would love to share my experiences and learn new things from fellow travelers that could help each other along the way!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have been all over the world (60+ countries) and am more than willing to share any knowledge or experience I may have about trips I have taken or things to see/do.

I am also an excellent cook and I like to clean, so wherever I stay should smell delicious and clean when I leave!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Laos, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bulgaria, Netherlands, South Africa, United States