ABOUT ME

I am currently on a solo trip in South America, feeling it was time to be brave and step off the 9 - 5 treadmill. I was very happy with my life and have many beautiful friends who I love and miss, but I could not help but listen to the niggle that there was a world of new experiences and people waiting out there.

I am a playful person who likes to laugh and loves to meet people who can see the amusement in the little undercurrents and goings on that are easy to miss if you are not paying attention. I enjoy people that can smile at themselves and are not too guarded, people that are peaceful, kind, humble.

I like to think I am a kind and generous person who is a pretty open book. I am sincere about things and find it impossible to hide what I am thinking (which can be a pain at times) but I think it makes people feel at ease in my company because I am not guarded (unless I am confronted with someone who has a very large ego and does not see outside of themselves).

I am a life long animal lover and care much about them and the natural world. The older I get, the more I find comfort in nature and love getting out in it. I find lots of beauty in the world of small things that you notice when you go off alone to woods, forests and hills.

I am keen to volunteer, workaway and Couchsurf on this trip in order to really make connections with people and places, and to find a little purpose whilst I am away. I'm interested in seeing what happens when you leave the beaten path, and have a little faith in people!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I set up this account some time ago but must admit it has laid dormant for a long time!

I have met many people over the years who have advocated Couchsurfing and decided it's finally time to do it. I don't want to plod around cities doing the '10 Must See's' this time around. I want to meet people who can introduce me the places they live, and also maybe to the people. I want to make new friends and experience the many different ways there are to live a life. I hope in return I can offer something back; ideas, laughter, a helping hand..whatever I can!

Interests

I really love music, I would say it's pretty much the most important thing to me in many ways. I particularly love electronic music, but not necessarily just the banging sounds that may come to mind. I tinker around with putting sounds together. On this trip I've been recording lots of noises in order to do something or other with them!

I really love comedy, particularly dark irrevarent humour that makes a point without being too pious. Chris Morris, Stewart Lee and Armando Iannucci come to mind.

Food is another big thing for me. I really enjoy cooking and trying new things. I've been a vegetarian for most of my life which makes things interesting in some places but I try not to be picky and get by on what I can. I am very interested in nutrition, and this has become even more of an interest since being in South America and needing to find foods that keep me healthy.

I love listening to Terrence McKenna and Alan Watts, and have a deep interest in plant medicines which is one of the reasons I have come to South America, in order to learn more about them and the cultures that use them.

• animals
• books
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• recipes
• vegetarian
• gardening
• boating
• socializing
• music
• electronic music
• volunteering
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music

Jon Hopkins, Nils Fram, Kiasmos, Olafur Arnolds, Soley, Rone, Christian Loeffler, Dominik Eulberg, Four Tet, Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Alt J, Recondite, Rival Consols, Para for Cuva, Clark, Thom Yorke, Apparat, Moderat, Max Cooper, Nicolas Jaar, Sufjen Stevens, Seasick Steve, Gidge, David Douglas, Aphex Twin, Stimming, Trentemoeller, Yppah, Dark Dark Dark, Death in Vegas.

Books

The God of Small Things, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Slaughterhouse 5, Of Mice and Men, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Food of the Gods, Siddartha

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Getting stuck in a storm on Lake Victoria in a small wooden boat being driven by a 6' 6 man in clogs with no life jacket. Closest I ever came to thinking I might die, but all I could do was giggle! This was on a journey back from the strangest experience in a place called Banda Island in Africa.

Also an ayahuasca retreat with a lovely family in Ecuador. This taught me so much about what it means to be a good human. (I know that's 2 things, I'm cheating)

Teach, Learn, Share

I have a qualification in teaching English (recently gained). I'm an OK cook (vegetarian) and love to share recipes and ideas. I'm really interested in nutrition and natural foods and would love to have a a cafe eventually. I'd love to learn about cooking new dishes as well as growing food.

Mostly I love to share life experience and ideas about what it means to live life well. As I've said I'm very open and happy to talk about a wide array of themes and share my thoughts and experiences in life.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, sharing life advice, ideas for happiness, help around the house and hopefully garden, cooking together, laughing together, and sharing my home with you should we get on and you ever come to my country!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom