A journalist and community builder by profession I love meeting people and learning about their unique lives. I sincerely believe everything and everyone happens for a reason and every person I have connected with over my life and travels has helped me become the person I am today.

Apart from philosophy I have a special love for cooking, old buildings, vintage furniture, gourmet cheese, goal setting and giving pep talks. Witty conversations, insightful discussions, trivial stories (and chai) keep me going.

“Travel is what makes life worthwhile and sharing ones experience immortalises them”- Mili Semlani

More on me and my mind musings on Instagram @milisemlani

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet new, interesting people and enrich my life . Books and people i believe are windows to the world and are practically more affordable both in terms of time and money vis-a-vis travelling.

This community is a big reason my perspective on life is the way it is (positive and friendly) and it keeps humanity alive for me. The world is a beautiful place and the people are even better.

I have also made some of the most diverse and remarkable friends in my life via CS and I value those relationships highly. I may not meet them again and again but they are true gems and I wish to keep adding more such gems to my life.

Interests

Travelling, making friends, exploring cities, cooking, reading and I have a reputation of being a chatterbox

Taking photos of doors, world history, stand up comedy (watching), crafts, DIY, cooking, hiking, cycling

• writing
• books
• design
• dancing
• bachata
• bollywood dancing
• dining
• cooking
• meditation
• shopping
• cartoons
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• backpacking
• sports
• bollywood movies
• sewing clothes

Music, Movies, and Books

I like books and movies based on true stories or WW1&2, Big Bang Theory and Friends, coke studio, jazz and lo fi

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

- My Solo-Asian-Backpacking expedition
- Surviving my solo trip to Taiwan without speaking Chinese
- Snowboarding down the alps as a pilon rider (it’s not legal)
- Mountain biking at 3000mts in Ladakh (india)
- Rolling rotis with an empty wine bottle (trust me it’s a bigger super power than it seems 😛)

Teach, Learn, Share

Regional Indian and Asian Cooking, a lot about Asia and Asian culture, the art of mindfulness, writing, finding joy in small things, slowing down, retiring early, sewing, English and Hindi language skills

I have too many stories and thoughts on about places, design, languages, cultures and how each one influences the other. How Indian temples in India and Yogja have so much in common. Why Thai food and Indian food palettes are so similar.

The spirit of couch surfing, long discussions about technology policy, Indian religion and specially Jainism, spirituality, global politics, my best CS experience. All things food and cooking.

I wouldn't consider myself an expert at anything I do, but I'm happy to share my limited knowledge in any area of interest!

I'm always on the lookout for new music, so please show me your favorites (especially local artists and songs in your language that I wouldn't come across otherwise!). I also love learning the basics of a new language and if you play an instrument or have a specific skill you're really proud of, I would love to learn the basics of it!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have a knack for "living" the cities I have spent time in. Apart from travel know-how, crazy experiences and food quotient I can help them visit the best of Mumbai and all the other cities and countries I have been to thus far.

Some easy to do vegetarian recipes, home style Indian food, home and mind cleanse (like Marie Kondo) is they want one, intellectual conversations and some Bollywood dancing. Sometimes yoga (basics)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore