**Please read my profile before sending a request. We get lots of requests and only accept those that seem worthwhile!**

Hi! Thanks for reading my profile! My name is Thomas and I'm a Canadian. I was born in Winnipeg, which is pretty much right in the centre of Canada, but mostly grew up in Southern Alberta, which is sunny, windy, and flat (and the most beautiful place on earth). I currently live in Calgary with my girlfriend Steph, so feel free to address your request to the both of us :)

I completed a BSc in Environmental Science in Lethbridge in 2011, and a MSc in Geography at McGill in Montreal. I've traveled around quite a bit in the time between, and have many interests: Cycling, Chess, Yoga, Swing dancing, Reading/Writing, Science, Guitar, Wine, Cooking, Geography, Snowboarding, Gardening, languages (currently trying to learn German). I guess I'm always learning - so if you're like me I think we'll get along :)

PHILOSOPHY

Yes, and perhaps it was not merely simpler and more human to live a Goldmund-life in the world. Perhaps in the end it was more valiant, and greater in God's sight, to breast the currents of reality, sin, and accept sin's bitter consequence, instead of standing apart, with well-washed hands, living in sober quiet security, planting a pretty garden of well-trained thoughts, and walking then, in stainless ignorance, among them - the sheltered beds of a little paradise. It was harder perhaps, and needed a stouter heart to walk with broken shoes through the forest-glades, to trudge the roads, suffer rain and snow, want and drought, playing all the games of the senses, and paying one's losses with much grief. -Herman Hesse
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'Glorious', said Steerpike, 'is a dictionary word. We are all imprisoned by the dictionary. We choose out of that vast, paper-walled prison our convicts, the little black printed words, when in truth we need fresh sounds to utter, new enfranchised noises which would produce a new effect. In dead and shackled language, my dears, you ARE glorious, but oh, to give vent to a brand new sound that might convince you of what I really think of you, as you sit there in your purple splendour, side by side! But no, it is impossible. Life is too fleet for onomatopoeia. Dead words defy me. I can make no sound, dear ladies, that is apt.'

'You could try,' said Clarice. 'We aren't busy.' -Mervyn Peake

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think Couchsurfing is an excellent resource and a beautiful idea. I have both surfed and hosted many times, and plan on continuing to do so whenever I get the chance. That said, there are many people who take advantage of the system. I'm not here to say what Couchsurfing "should" or "should not" be, but I can promise that I am very opinionated on the matter.

Don't expect a polite response (if any) if you're going to send me a copy/paste message that doesn't even include my name. This isn't a free hotel service - it is a much greater opportunity.

Interests

I don't travel to see the sights, which makes me an easy guest. I travel first to meet the people, second to learn about the place from these people (what they think, what they do, how they do it) and third to eat the food.

This is why couchsurfing is so important to me. It is all about people. Discovering our similarities and embracing our differences.
*Use the word 'gambol' in your request to increase your chances of being hosted!

• writing
• swing dancing
• cooking
• yoga
• walking
• gardening
• chess
• reading
• traveling
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• snowboarding
• ecology
• geography
• science
• wine and mixology

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Done: Smiled so much that my cheeks hurt.

Seen: Rain - beautiful, sad, powerful, silly, refreshing, miserable -all types of rain.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach: swing dancing, chess, yoga, guitar, cooking, English, basic French, science

I want to (and plan to) learn: computer programming, German, names of plants

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Germany, India, United Kingdom, United States

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