CURRENT MISSION

To explore, meet interesting people to learn from and share stories. I'm also investigating water related issues, having just set up a non profit news site.

ABOUT ME

I'm a multi-media journalist and filmmaker. I've had the great experience of being based in Cairo during the revolution and sadly also the crackdown. I spent over 2 years in the Middle East, travelling to Libya, Syria, Yemen and I lived in Jerusalem. They were and are suffering hard times, but I can say I met some wonderful people and I experienced and saw the best and worst of humanity. I moved to Michigan in 2016 for a fellowship and I ended making an indie documentary in Flint and the Navajo Nation. I've moved back to London now and I've just set up my own non profit investigative news organisation called Watershed Investigations.

But it's not all work in my life! I also like to dance (hip hop, Latin, World Music, Afrobeats, Soca - anything with a good beat), have a good time with friends and family, eat great food and see new places. I'm a foodie. I've just started a bit of indoor climbing now and I like being out in nature.

I love travelling (part of the reason I chose the career I did) and for holidays I've been to Thailand a couple of times, been numerous times to the USA, Peru, Venezuela, South Korea, Mexico, Mali, Burkina Faso, Morocco a few times, South Africa, Sri Lanka (where my mother is from), Nepal, France, Germany and I've spent a lot of time in Spain - where I did pick up the language - but it's very rusty now! I've also lived in Japan in 1999 where I worked as an English teacher for JET in Kyoto - such a beautiful place!

I've also worked in Uganda, South Africa, Denmark, Nepal, I also lived in Belgium and Dubai for a few months.

I would say I'm compassionate, opinionated, friendly - though a little reserved to start with (I am English after all!) and I love to party and have excitement and challenges in my life. I do work a lot though, especially now I've started my own venture. So I need to make sure I keep a balanced life.

PHILOSOPHY

I try to be kind to others and put myself in their shoes. I try to help people if I can and I seek to use my skills in media to do so. I think it's the positive traits in humans that defines us as humans - not the negative traits. I am Buddhist, but I don't practice much anymore. I'll come back to it later!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

My former flatmate was a full on couchsurfer and has stayed with and hosted may people for years. So I've had some of her couchsurfing mates to stay.

I set up a profile when I went to live in Cairo at the end of 2010, but then I was so busy and then the revolution happened. I was working like crazy everyday and forgot I even had a profile. I am very sorry about that, but the circumstances were extraordinary!!

I did have some guests when I was based in Jerusalem and in London. I recently came back to my little flat in London after living for 2 years in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I don't really have much room for guests, but I am up for meeting and hanging out.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've hosted in London a bit, Jerusalem and I've stayed with people in the USA.

Interests

Walking/swimming in nature, climbing (though that's a new hobby), dancing, volleyball, film making, ice skating (I'm not very good I just like it), good food and wine.

• writing
• photography
• documentaries
• film making
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• walking
• partying
• tv
• traveling
• music
• world music
• rock climbing
• communications
• teaching
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

books I've liked - Famished Road, Wild Swans...
I mainly like hip hop, dancehall and world music like Nitin Sawney.
Movies - Dracula, Point Break, Pans Labyrinth...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Been in the Egyptian revolution.

Teach, Learn, Share

Media - shoot/edit, writing, radio production.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good conversation.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Laos, Lebanon, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Palestine, Peru, Saint Lucia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Venezuela, Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Egypt, Israel, Japan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

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