CURRENT MISSION

Finish my PhD one day, so that I'd have time to think why I started it

ABOUT ME

I am still finding out about that. But, to get the prosaic details out of the way, 30 years old, married, no kids. Very cosmopolitan, very non-judgmental, very opinionated, and somewhat athletic. Like outdoor activities and team sports, fine chocolate, and challenging myself. Moderately nonconformist and have a secret taste for the unorthodox (methods, not goals!).

PHILOSOPHY

We're all guests in this world, a good guest is a graceful one.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

for now, just exploring it, and making my couch accessible. If you are passing nearby, please rest assured that my couch is your couch, and my kitchen is your kitchen, too. If I speak a fragment of your native language, I will do my best to converse with you in it, or learn from you.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Hosted a very outgoing couple from Vancouver/Oxford (quite a Trans-Atlantic relationship!) who inducted me into my first CouchSurfing experience - and fortunately thanks to them I am determined that it not be my last :) Still to try surfing myself.

Update: surfed in Beijing, China, and had a great time in between being hosted or shown around by a lovely squad of expats from the US and Turkey.

Interests

Seeing past the established stereotypes via meeting people, seeing through their eyes, and understanding enough about their personal backgrounds and its effect on their patterns of behavior so that I can start establishing my home-grown stereotypes

• culture
• cooking
• chocolate
• vegetarian
• team sports
• traveling
• socializing
• outdoor activities
• surfing
• sports
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Lots, anything with a novel touch or real originality to it, if I happened to fall upon it before it became "celebrated" and, thus, over-rated. I loved Lord of the Rings - the book - when I first read 12 years ago. I found the movie appalling, and I doubt that I would have read the book with the same fascinated eyes (and relish) had I only learned of it after the hoopla. I have never understood the big fuss about Harry Potter, but then I have never read any of the books, only got turned off by two movie productions unworthy of all the hype. I also hate sequels! Favorite movies include Rainman, Crammer Vs. Crammer, Remains of the Day, 12 Angry Men, Life is Beautiful, and Crash. Melodious music of any genre, as long as it is not too loud, is nourishment for the soul. Books include Animal Farm, Pillars of The Earth, Agatha Christie's Poirot novels.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I am not that amazing!

However, I've had the good fortune of traveling (and surviving) to visit the Giant Sequoias, Grand Canyon, Indian Monument Country, Zion Valley, and Death Valley, and back to Berkeley in 4.5 days. Not withstanding a blown up front tire and a dead car battery along the way! I can tell you all about each one of the 2000 miles when we meet!

Teach, Learn, Share

As much on Arabic language and culture as you could take, insights on cross-cutting influences between languages, How to cook Koshari (delightful Egyptian vegetarian-friendly dish)

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, China, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Egypt, United States

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