CURRENT MISSION

Bought the ticket, taking the ride...

ABOUT ME

Canadian-born, raised in Toronto and moved to England at 18 for university. After 4 years of living in London I left on an 18 month sojourn to see part of this beautiful planet we call home - mostly Asia and the Middle East. I'm in Toronto now working on a novel - based on my travels - and exploring when possible.

I'm a better listener than I am a talker, although given the right topics it can be difficult to slow me down. I'm attracted to everything philosophical, and am most concerned with how best to live life. I tend to be an idealist, and live in a world of possibilities, but I do my best to stay grounded in the ever present Now.

PHILOSOPHY

Nothing is fixed. A humanist with Eastern leanings. Devout agnostic.

Influences:

Peter Matthiessen
Joseph Campbell
Pema Chodron
Sam Harris
Christopher Hitchens
Richard Branson

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I started using Couchsurfing when I decided to hit the road with my rucksack at the end of university. It's a great way to connect with unique people and have some memorable travel experiences.

I've settled back in Toronto, Canada after my wanderings and am ready to host other travellers in my effort to pay it forward.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I used Couchsurfing for the first time in Brunei while travelling through Borneo; one of the better decisions I've made this trip. I ended up staying with JC, an expat from the Philippines who was busy setting up his restaurant in the capital, BSB. After spending a couple days with JC I had had a great time seeing the city and would leave with not just good memories but also a solid friend.

Interests

My interests focus around exploring and learning more about what it is to be human in the 21st century. Travel is a priority, and connecting with nature plays an integral part in keeping me sane. I love the mountains - my ideal day includes a long climb and a good book waiting in my tent. I'm a former boxer and practice Brazilian jujitsu to keep active when I'm not out in the wild. I enjoy cooking almost as much as eating, and think a long meal with warm, introspective people is the best activity to increase one's happiness.

You can check my travel pics out at earthonaut.tumblr.com

• books
• cooking
• traveling
• boxing
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Baraka is one of those movies everyone should see. Jiro Dreams of Sushi is another great film. Anything by Wes Anderson puts me in a good mood.

Simply, I equate music with life. I listen to the whole spectrum, but dig downtempo electronic, indie, classic rock and hip hop. There is a simple bliss in lying down in a dark room surrounded by good music and a warm body.

As for books, I'll quite happily steal Emerson's line: “I cannot remember the books I've read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me. If you're gonna press me, I love Hesse, Garcia, Steinbeck, Kundera and Kerouac.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Spending my 23rd birthday at a, quite literally, breathtaking 5200 metres in Nepal amongst the snow-capped mountains was an awe-inspiring day.

I hit the summit of Mont Blanc after a challenging multi-day climb from the Italian side of the mountain with my good friend Greg in July 2015.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United Kingdom