I decided to give up working a couple of years ago, because it interfered with my lifestyle 😉 but I worked very hard to make this happen, lastly on Borneo mentoring English teachers on a 3-yr govt project, falling in love with a) the people, b) the ethnic cultures, c) the language which is really easy! I've worked in Germany and Qatar, which put me where I am today. I love simple travel, have got my rucksack down to 6 kilos so I can go with the locals even on a chicken bus. Hiking, reading (historical fiction) and films are my passion! I'm a Camino 'junkie', made it to Santiago de Compostela about 6 times via Spain, France and Portugal. Learning about/ meeting /understanding persons and their cultures has become more important than sight-seeing for me, which is why I decided to join Couchsurfing. Life motto? 'even if you are not the greatest cook, you can always do the slicing and dicing' btw I'm also very good at washing up.' 😊 If you come to Malaga, you'll also get a decent breakfast and espresso, I promise!

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

A friend convinced me to give Couchsurfing a try. I always figured it was only for 'younger' travellers - which I can honestly say I am in body and spirit. My first experience in April was Morocco - a real eye opener, an amazing month sleeping in corners, on floors, with the most hospitable people I've ever met. I believe Couch Surfing brings you closer to the people and their culture than any other form of travel.
At the moment I'm not at home long enough to offer much hosting, but I hope to do that in the future. Btw there's a Couchsurfing get-together every Tuesday evening in Malaga centre.

Intereses

• reading
• hiking
• tennis
• badminton
• languages
• watching films
• snorkelling
• caminos de santiago

Música, películas y libros

Reading is an important part of my life. I'm finding non-fiction more and more interesting with the years, and as for novels my favourite genre is historical fiction. A great example is 'The Poisonwood Bible' set in the 1960s in the Belgian Congo. I've re-discovered James Michener's 'Caribbean', a fabulous read. I'm also a fan of novels with unusual plots, as by Garcia Marquez or Murakami. My time in Asia awakened me to some wonderful Asian authors, Anchee Min, Tash Aw, Kazuo Ishiguro, Tan Twan Eng, Pramoedya Ananta Toer... the list goes on and on.
I'm a huge film fan, always on the look-out for director's films. Recent films have been 'Timbuktu', 'Samba', 'Her'. Fortunately Malaga's Cine Albeniz brings some jewels to the viewers.
I'm useless on remembering names when it comes to music, but I do like Salif Kaita, Papa Wemba...Afro-pop is great music to move by!

Algo increíble que he hecho

I guess the most amazing was - fresh out of grad school with a teacher's degree, I landed a job teaching at a 'floating' high school aboard two sailing ships. Joining them just out of Rotterdam, I spent 1 1/2 yrs sailing and teaching along the Atlantic and then in the Caribbean. That was my introduction to travel!
More recently, I did a volunteer stint as a teacher-mentor at an orphanage/school in Thailand on the Burmese border...gives you a real appreciation of the life you've lived compared to the tough existence some have, yet the children there have survived and are a joy to see!

Enseña, aprende, comparte

A teacher by profession, a traveller by nature, I love sharing what I've seen and experienced. As someone very wise once said, when you stop learning, you begin dying. I love learning new things - from cooking to farming. If you are a hiker, I'd love to explore your surroundings with you. And of course if you want some language​ practice, speak away!

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

Good conversation, language exchange, views on the world - I think I'm good company. Warning - I'm not a 'night owl' - but I do love a good chat over a cup of tea/glass of wine. I think I'm pretty good at adapting too, so I'll fit my stay around your needs and try to be generally helpful. If you are also a traveller, I have stacks of tips on places that are still good (no organized tours!).

Países que he visitado

Belize, Cambodia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Viet Nam, Yemen

Países en los que he vivido

France, Germany, Malaysia, Qatar, Spain, United States