I grew up on a sheep and cattle farm situated in the Karoo, an arid part of South Africa (think cowboy terrain, as depicted in American movies). This experience has left me with an enduring passion for nature. I love the outdoors. Some of my favourite activities are hiking, camping and swimming. That said, I can be equally happy in the great indoors, especially when accompanied by good friends, food and wine. I love engaging in thought provoking conversation.

I studied extensively at university. Between my bachelor degree and law degree, I took a year off to teach English in South Korea. I practised law at a large corporate firm in Cape Town before deciding that life was too short to chase billable hours. I resigned earlier this year and have been renovating a formerly abandoned house on the family farm while learning about commercial farming.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Having recently resigned from my job, I have decided to indulge a passion of mine, namely travel. The concept of Couchsurfing appeals to me. I love the idea of being able to get insights from people on the ground, which are not attainable in the Lonely Planet. I also suspect that the chances of meeting like minded people is greatly enhanced.

It is also a reality that travel is far from cheap. Regrettably, the current strength of my country's currency (the Rand), has made it even less so. I am thus also turning to Couchsurfing as a means of making my travelling a touch less taxing on the purse strings.

Interests

I love reading, both current affairs and English literature in general. As mentioned, outdoor activities are high on my list of interests. I have also found the travelling that I have done to date extremely enriching. Meeting and interacting with interesting people would be another thing that I would describe as an interest of mine.

• literature
• dining
• wine
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• swimming
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:

Kings of Convenience, Beach House, Fleet Foxes, Belle & Sebastian, M. Ward, Camera Obscura, Ryan Adams, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Pantha du Prince, Darkside, Four Tet, Efdemin, Dan Deacon, Aphex Twin, John Maus, Tame Impala

Movies:

The Secret Life of Words, Pan's Labyrinth, Snowpiercer, Apocalypse Now, Drive, The Stranger, Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy

Authors:
Jonathan Franzen, John Irving, Haruki Murakami, John Steinbeck, J.M .Coetzee, Don DeLillo, Kazuo Ishiguro, J.R.R. Tolkien,

Series:

The Wire, Deadwood, The Sopranos, Arrested Development, Trailer Park Boys, True Detective, The Fall, The Bridge, Inspector Frost, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Carnivàle, The Office.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taught English in South Korea for a year (where I ate live baby octopus).

Teach, Learn, Share

Being a native of a fascinating African country has allowed me to develop many insights into the so called 'rainbow nation'. In this regard, I would love to be able to engage in a form of cultural exchange with the people that I stay with.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am an easy going person and happy to fall in line with what my host requires from me.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Malaysia, Seychelles, Singapore, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Korea